Our People
Corporate Strategist Lauren Lacagnino Talks Representation, Leading by Example
Lauren Lacagnino started working at Integra in 2006 as an intern after learning about the opportunity from her graduate school’s program administrator. She says, “When I joined Integra, I was drawn to our mission of serving patients, and I am proud that we have remained committed to that mission over the years. We are in a unique position, lifting the lives of patients, their families, our customers, and each other through lifesaving procedures that heal the brain and body.”
In her professional life, Lauren has worked her way up at Integra and serves as a role model to many. Over the years, she has held positions of increasing responsibility within marketing, product development, project management, corporate development and strategy across Integra’s Codman Specialty Surgical and Tissue Technologies divisions and private label business. In her free time, Lauren enjoys being active in her local community. She has volunteered as a coach for Girls on the Run, raised funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by participating in Team in Training, and maintains a community garden at Staten Island’s historic Conference House.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, Lauren gives her top three tips for rising talent, with a lens on diversity and inclusion:
- By maximizing your potential, know that you are inspiring others and paving the way for the next generation of diverse leaders. As a Puerto Rican and a woman engineer, I have felt a responsibility to serve as a role model to others. I have heard firsthand from colleagues who have said that they believe that my career progression, especially as a Latina, has opened doors for them at Integra. It is humbling to have that kind of impact and recognize this significance during Hispanic Heritage Month, as I join the founding members of the newly launched Unidos Hispanic/Latino employee group offering resources and mentoring to our colleagues.
- Embrace diversity in every aspect – the people we work with, the stories we share and the experiences we bring. I studied biomedical engineering, had a marketing internship, and transitioned into roles where I negotiated contracts, sourced partners, and set business development strategy. I took what ended up being a logical career path, but it was quite different from what I imagined when I was studying engineering. Be open to unexpected opportunities that can be different than what you planned. They can be great learning experiences that exceed your expectations and turn out to be incredibly rewarding. Integra is a very collaborative environment, and our core value of teamwork is evident in everything we do. Because I have held multiple roles, I have engaged with many different groups and teams. In all these interactions and through participation in Integra Employee Resource Groups, I also promote diversity and inclusion by weaving in my diverse experiences and sharing my Puerto Rican heritage.
- Embrace corporate change. It has been exciting to see our company grow – strive to be part of that growth story. I believe I would not have had the same career trajectory at a different company. I have learned skills, built, and fostered relationships, and directly helped the company grow through tangible results. I recognize that change can be perceived as intimidating or challenging. However, I encourage others to embrace change as it can present opportunities for growth and set you on a path for a stronger tomorrow.