LAUREN HEANEY

As Global Development Manager at U-GO Lauren directly supports global initiatives by designing scholar engagement strategies, global operational development, and performing comprehensive evaluations of international programs across U-GO’s global network.

A desire to create tangible societal change has shaped Lauren’s academic and professional path. Before joining U-GO full-time, she founded North Sea Naturals, a sustainability-driven artisan business, and served as the founder of Southampton SADD—leading the youth advocacy organization that brought her to Capitol Hill, where she testified before Congress on the youth vaping epidemic in 2019. These experiences across nonprofit work, entrepreneurship, and public advocacy helped build her collaborative and analytical approach to problem-solving and leadership.

Lauren holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Scripps College and deepened her understanding of global societal structures through a semester abroad at the University of Amsterdam. Passionate about leveraging her skills to contribute meaningfully to organizations dedicated to social impact and innovation, she is proud to be contributing her energy to U-GO's mission.