Lara is a Managing Director at Silicon Valley Data Capital, a venture capital fund dedicated to investing in artificial intelligence, fintech, software and analytics. Previously, she was the Head of Innovation for Royal Bank of Canada where she built a team to drive and accelerate bank-wide digital transformation. Over three and a half years, her team drove 14 new products into production or production pipeline. Her focus on driving cost savings generated millions of dollars to the bottom line. Her team’s innovations for better data capture and analysis enabled the bank to deploy new go-to-market global roadmaps. Her background also included service on the Bank’s Crypto Asset Oversight Committee.

Lara’s extensive leadership experience in three key areas of the work of the board enables her to deliver a unique perspective that helps organizations create value for shareholders and stakeholders. As a seasoned senior leader with a strong track record of leveraging data to transform business operations and expand ecosystems both organically and through acquisition, Lara has built a reputation for delivering both top and bottom-line growth.

An award-winning business transformation leader recognized by Constellation Research and Banking Innovation, Lara is also an experienced board director; she held the lead trustee role for the City of San Jose’s Federated Employee Retirement System. She co-chaired the Investment Committee and oversaw $6B in in assets and the development of asset allocations. She has served as chairperson and member of Compensation, M&A, Audit and Governance board committees. Additional Boards on which she has served include: Med-Vantage (IMS), Apprion (JEC), Rosum (LSXMA), Traxion Drive Systems and Vernier Networks.

Lara has an exemplary record of nonprofit service focused on closing gender gaps and lowering barriers in career advancement. She serves on the Harvard Business School’s Global Alumni Board and on Astia’s Investor Council, an organization addressing inclusion for female entrepreneurs. She served on the Board of Aim High, an education non-profit that serves middle school students in high-need communities, for 15 years.

Investments include: Cultivate, Doorstead, Deduce, Powerset (MSFT), ClariPhy (IPHI), Xactly (XTLY), Skout (MEET), Facebook (via secondary), RevGenomics, ShopItToMe and others.
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