Vanessa Gennarelli is the principal of Fortuna, a change management firm, and the chief operating officer for Raise.dev. She has led cross-functional teams at rapidly growing organizations, including GitHub Education through its acquisition by Microsoft. While at one of the largest tech companies on the planet, she learned how to navigate cultural differences, integrate new processes, and help direct reports thrive through change.With a background in instructional design, Vanessa has a master's degree in technology, innovation, and education (Harvard). She is a former research intern at MIT Media Lab and a graduate of the LEAD Program (Stanford Business School). At home in Philadelphia, she invests in small businesses through the Circle of Aunts and Uncles, a group dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Circadium School of Contemporary Circus.
Vanessa has an incredible ability to address the tough questions we're all wanting to ask, even when we're too afraid to ask them-or we don't who to go to. In this book, she offers invaluable career advice that's grounded in personal experience and, packed with great wisdom and practical tools. Written in Vanessa's inimitably no-nonsense style, this book is a treasure. -SHANKU NIYOGI VP of product at Databricks When it comes to careers, there are few wrong choices you can make, except one: not choosing at all. Surviving Change at Work helps you intentionally design a career with purpose, rather than simply letting your career happen to you. -SEAN BLANDA VP pf content at Crossbeam Because of her proven expertise leading teams and her personal thoughtfulness, Vanessa understands the necessary dialogue between organizations and individuals like few people do. -EMILY GOLIGOSKI Head of research and SVP at Charter Change is a constant in our careers, and having a game plan to deal with it is key to survival both on a personal and professional level. Thank you, Vanessa, for recognizing the need for a field guide like this. -Lynda Smith Former CMO at Twilio and mParticle, and GM at Nuance