Lara Stein

Lara Stein
Born
Johannesburg, South Africa
Alma materEmerson College
OccupationsEntrepreneur; executive; strategist
Known forFounder of TEDx; global expansion and systems design in technology, education, and civic innovation

Lara Stein is a South African–American entrepreneur and executive known for founding TEDx, a global platform for innovation and education,[1] and for leading large-scale international expansion across technology, learning, and civic systems.[2] She is the founder of Regenerative Consulting,[3] where she advises financial institutions, philanthropies, cultural organizations, and technology partners on systems design, strategy, and the scaling of regenerative and civic-focused initiatives.[4] Stein has held senior leadership roles at TED, Boma Global, Singularity University, MIT, and Women’s March Global.[5]

Life

Stein was born in Johannesburg, South Africa,[6] and later moved to the United States.[7] She studied at Emerson College.[8] She resides in New York City with her 3 children. ref name="Residence"></ref>

Career

Early career in media and technology

Stein began her career at WGBH in Boston, producing educational and children’s animated programming.[9] She later held senior management roles at Microsoft’s MSN,[10] Marvel,[11] Nelvana,[12] and the digital agency iXL, where she founded and led the company’s New York office.[13] She subsequently served as President of iXL’s eTV/Broadband division, overseeing broadband content, digital strategy, and next-generation platform development.[14]

Stein also produced documentary films and consulted for media and technology organizations including Pangea Day, Worldwide Biggies, Moveopolis, and JVP.[15]

TED and TEDx

In 2009, Stein joined TED to develop a licensing program for independently organized TED-style gatherings.[16] She founded the TEDx program, conceptualizing its global structure and overseeing strategy, operations, and governance during its formative years.[17]

Under her leadership, TEDx expanded into a worldwide infrastructure enabling thousands of organizers to convene community-led innovation and education programming.[18] The initiative grew to more than 8,000 TEDx groups in over 130 countries,[19] producing tens of thousands of talks.[20]

Stein also launched:

  • TEDxWomen, focused on women's representation and leadership[21]
  • TEDxYouth, designed for school-age audiences[22]
  • TEDx in a Box, enabling convenings in low-resource communities[23]

As director of the TED Prize, she led its restructuring,[24] expanded the award size,[25] and contributed to operational foundations later used in the development of the Audacious Project.[26]

Global leadership roles

Singularity University

Stein served as Managing Director for Global Expansion at Singularity University, overseeing international summits, chapters, innovation hubs, and partnerships across multiple regions.[27]

Women's March Global

As Executive Director of Women's March Global, Stein developed the movement’s international structure and coordinated advocacy and organizing across more than 100 countries.[28]

MIT ReACT

Stein acted as the interim Executive Director of MIT ReACT, an MIT initiative providing global educational pathways and credentialed programs for refugees and displaced learners.[29]

Boma Global

Stein founded and served as CEO of Boma Global, a global leadership and learning network focused on ethics-based leadership, innovation and sustainability education.[30] She continues to serve as a board member and advisor.[31]

Regenerative systems, civic innovation, and climate initiatives

Through Regenerative Consulting, Stein works with funders, cultural institutions, governments, and technology organizations on:[32]

  • regenerative economic and investment models
  • systems design and organizational strategy
  • civic infrastructure and public-interest technology
  • narrative strategy and movement design
  • global platform and expansion architecture

Her clients have included leading philanthropies and family offices (Bedari Collective, MJF); cultural institutions (Qatar Museums Authority); policy-driven and civic organizations (Future US, Stand Together); and innovation and education partners including MIT’s Center for Constructive Communication and Cortico.

Stein participated in the XPRIZE Visioneering Braintrust, where her “WALL-E Prize,” focused on circular materials recovery and trash-to-value innovation, was selected for further prize design development.[33]

She also co-conceptualized ReGenDAO, a global community exploring regenerative finance and governance models.[34]

Boards and advisory roles

Stein currently serves on the boards of:

She previously served on the boards of:

  • Lalela[38]
  • The We Are Family Foundation[39]
  • The Lung Cancer Research Foundation[40]

Recognition

Stein has been recognized in several technology and media publications, including the Silicon Alley Reporter “Top 100 Executives,”[41] Alley Cat News “Top Women of Silicon Alley,”[42] and Who’s Who Among Outstanding Female Executives.[43]


References

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