Why Did I Join ESTE Leverage?
Lauri Hoffher, Chief Product Officer
In January 2023, we introduced you to the woman behind ESTE® Leverage, Terrisa Duenas, CEO and Founder. Her dream, commitment and passion are being fulfilled in what ESTE has come to be and what ESTE continues to uphold (January Blog).
In February, you met Terrisa’s siblings and company advisors, Jose Duenas, Carmen Duenas Lamp, and Cecilia Duenas (February Blog).
This month, we’d like to introduce you to Laurel (Lauri) Hofherr. Lauri has joined ESTE® Leverage as Acting Chief Product Officer. When you read further about Laurie’s accomplishments and when you (hopefully) have the chance to personally engage with her, you’ll see why Lauri is an integral member of the ESTE® team.
Lauri’s career spans over 20 years in product development during which she focused on driving product innovation, commercialization of technology products, and operational efficiency. She has held leadership roles at multiple startups, including an early product role at Groupon. Her experience building SaaS products spans B2C and B2B2C, building motivated, high performing teams. Laurie is Chicago co-chair of A Leg To Stand On and served on the Impact Committee for Guitars Over Guns, both non-profit organizations focused on the betterment of children and educational outcomes. She is a frequent speaker on product management and is an avid supporter and mentor to women in technology fields. Lauri holds a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri, Columbia.
The CEO and Founder of ESTE® Leverage, Terrisa and Lauri, the Chief Product Officer met during an online video session of Ellevate back in 2019. Their Ellevate Squad, a small, dedicated group of driven professional women, still meets today with Lauri at the helm.
We asked Lauri, “How does ESTE® Leverage inspire you?” Her response?
Having started my career in the male-dominated industry of financial services, specifically options trading and risk management, and then transitioning to a career in the equally male-dominated software development industry I have spent most of my working life feeling like I didn’t really belong. I do not want any girls growing up to feel like they don’t belong in these exciting ESTE careers. I am inspired every day by the work we are doing at ESTE® to ensure women are properly represented in entrepreneurialism, science, technology, and engineering.
When asked what major factor or factors contributed to where she is today, Lauri responded:
I think being persistent and resilient has been key to my success and both of these have been rooted in a certain lack of fear. I’ve often felt like, “I have no idea what I’m doing but that’s never stopped me!” Experience has taught me that if I keep trying, learn as much as I can and bounce back after any setback then I will succeed.
And then we asked Lauri “What message would you tell your middle-school self” to which she responded:
Chances are you are wrong about what you think anyone else thinks about you so don’t worry about it. Be ready for success to not always look like what you think it should or what others have told you. Be yourself. Pursue your passion when you find it and you’ll go further than you can imagine!
As the first quarter of the year comes to a close, it is both exciting and humbling to see how far ESTE® has come! Welcome to the world of entrepreneurialism, science, technology, and engineering. Stand in your super power!! We at ESTE® are so very grateful that you are on this journey with us.
ESTE® Leverage - founded in the belief that Entrepreneurship, Science, Technology, and Engineering are innate in each of us - grounded in the science of learning & assessment – dedicated to the realized potential in every individual.