Boston, Massachusetts, United States, September 2025 – Dr. Lauran Star has joined Ascentria Care Alliance as Chief People Officer. In this role, she will lead the organization’s people strategy, cultural transformation, and talent development initiatives as Ascentria continues to advance its mission of improving wellbeing for individuals, families, and communities facing systemic barriers.
Most recently, Dr. Star served as a Senior Human Resource Leader, People & Culture at Commonwealth Care Alliance, where she architected and scaled enterprise-wide HR, culture, and DEI strategies during a period of rapid growth. She acted as a strategic advisor to the CEO and senior leadership team, driving workforce planning, HR modernization, health equity accreditation, and organizational transformation across a mission-driven, $1B nonprofit healthcare organization.
Before that, she held the role of Chief People Officer across engineering, technology, biotech, and manufacturing organizations in private equity-backed settings. Over a decade, she drove rapid workforce scaling, M&A integration, and cultural reinvention, delivering measurable improvements in engagement, retention, and employer branding.
Earlier in her career, Dr. Star spent 17 years with Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Stryker, Cephalon, and Covidien (Medtronic) in HR, sales, and operations leadership roles. During this time, she led large-scale cultural integrations, closed succession gaps, and introduced predictive analytics to reduce attrition and enhance leadership retention.
Dr. Star also has significant experience as a Keynote Speaker, International Bestselling Author, and Culture Architect, where she has been recognized as a fearless disruptor and bold thought leader in HR transformation, workplace equity, and inclusion. Additionally, she serves as Chair of Governance and Leadership for HR Hive Collective, guiding the governance and strategic direction of a collaborative network of HR leaders and consultants.
Her professional foundation was built during her nine years of service in the U.S. Army, where she gained deep expertise in resilience, leadership, and operational precision through global deployments in Panama, Guatemala, and the Gulf War.
About Ascentria Care Alliance
Ascentria Care Alliance is one of the largest community service organizations in New England, with 60 locations across Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, and Connecticut. Guided by its mission to improve the wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities facing systemic barriers, Ascentria uses an innovative, human-centered care model to help people thrive.
With a vision to shape a healthier, more equitable society by 2050, Ascentria operates with values of Courage, Resilience, Compassion, Dedication, and Integrity. Its work empowers people of all backgrounds to rise together and achieve lasting progress.
Read Also : When HR “Produces Nothing”: A Response to Jennifer Sey’s Anti-HR Vision
The Fine Balance: Navigating Work, Life, and Mental Wellbeing
Mind the Leadership Gap – From Learning to Real-World Impact
How the Adecco Group is empowering its employees for the future of work
