Highlights for Children, a leading children’s media brand known for inspiring joyful learning, has appointed Lauren Lake as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. Lake’s appointment signals a new chapter in Highlights’ commitment to co-creating impactful programs, products, and experiences with mission-aligned partners. These collaborations are all uniquely and thoughtfully designed to connect with families in meaningful ways—through trusted, joyful experiences that blend learning and play, imagination and skill-building, kindness and life skills, and heart and humor. Whether it’s through custom content, digital activations, retail integrations, bespoke products, or purpose-led campaigns, Highlights brings its legacy of educational excellence and multigenerational trust to every partnership.
"Lauren combines strategic vision, deep relationship-building skills, and an undeniable passion for creating impactful experiences that truly benefit children," says Mary-Alice Moore, Executive Vice President at Highlights. " Her proven success in driving high-impact partnerships makes her the perfect fit to elevate and expand our collaborative efforts."
Lake joins Highlights with over a decade of experience leading purpose-driven partnership programs and large-scale initiatives in collaboration with organizations such as Google, Toyota, Home Depot, Mastercard, RFK Human Rights, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Her work has spanned topics including sustainability, literacy, STEM, health, human rights, and financial literacy—each designed to expand access to free, high-quality learning experiences for all students. These programs helped young people connect classroom concepts to real-world challenges, advocate for their health and well-being, think critically, and explore careers and opportunities they might not otherwise encounter, creating engagement between brands and the next generation to positively impact youth outcomes.
“Joining Highlights is an incredible opportunity to build on a legacy that has inspired generations of children,” says Lake. “Through partnerships with organizations that share our mission and values, we can create meaningful experiences for families while driving growth and expanding our impact. I’m honored to help extend Highlights’ reach—connecting with more kids in more places and supporting their development in ways that are both joyful and lasting.”
Under Lake’s leadership, Highlights will make its impact through purpose-led partnerships that support families, educators, and caregivers. Previous collaborations have included brands like Google, Moonbug/CoComelon, Crayola, Smokey Bear, major sports organizations such as the Denver Broncos, as well as Mott’s and Ocean Spray.