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Lexi Reese is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lanai and a Partner at the venture capital firm Operator Collective. She previously directed the machine learning programmatic advertising platform at Google, managing a multibillion-dollar unit that functioned as the company's third-largest revenue source by processing billions of automated decisions daily. During her executive tenure at Gusto, Reese scaled the payroll provider's customer base to over 200,000 businesses and one million employees, ultimately driving a thirtyfold increase in total revenue. The University of Virginia alumna serves on the corporate boards of Gap Inc. and Lattice, and she established Lanai in 2024 alongside former VMware Chief Technology Officer Steve Herrod. Her professional background centers on scaling complex technology infrastructure, with a current focus on building artificial intelligence enterprise security platforms and advising early-stage software startups.
Lexi Reese stands out as a prominent Partner at Operator Collective, a unique venture capital firm known for its powerful community of top women operators. In her role, Reese plays a pivotal part in identifying, investing in, and nurturing the next generation of high-growth technology companies. Her investment philosophy is deeply informed by her rich operational experience, making her a valuable asset to the founders she backs.
Operator Collective, where Reese is a Partner, distinguishes itself by bringing together seasoned operators to invest their capital and expertise into promising startups. This model allows investors like Reese to offer more than just capital; they provide invaluable strategic guidance, operational insights, and access to a vast network. Lexi Reese's focus areas typically align with the firm's broader thesis, encompassing sectors such as B2B SaaS, fintech, the future of work, and other disruptive technologies that are poised for significant scale. She is particularly keen on companies with strong leadership teams and innovative solutions to complex problems.
Before joining Operator Collective, Lexi Reese built an impressive career marked by leadership roles at some of the world's most influential technology companies. She served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Gusto, a leading payroll, benefits, and HR platform, where she was instrumental in scaling the company's operations and expanding its market reach. Prior to Gusto, Reese spent over a decade at Google, holding various high-impact positions, including Vice President of Global Programs. Her tenure at Google provided her with deep expertise in product strategy, global operations, and building high-performing teams. This extensive background in scaling and operating successful tech businesses gives her a unique perspective as an investor, allowing her to truly understand the challenges and opportunities faced by early-stage companies.
Lexi Reese's commitment extends beyond capital deployment; she is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech ecosystem. Her work at Operator Collective reinforces this commitment, as the firm actively seeks to invest in companies led by diverse founders. While specific individual investments are often proprietary to the fund, her influence is felt across Operator Collective's portfolio, which includes innovative companies across various sectors. Founders working with Lexi Reese benefit from her hands-on approach, strategic foresight, and proven ability to navigate the complexities of rapid growth. Her journey from operational leader to venture capital partner exemplifies her dedication to fostering innovation and building impactful businesses.
Lexi Reese is a Partner at Operator Collective, a venture capital firm and community. She is a seasoned investor and operational leader known for her roles at Google and Gusto, bringing extensive experience in scaling technology companies to her investment work.
Lexi Reese invests in high-growth technology companies, primarily through Operator Collective. Her focus areas include B2B SaaS, fintech, the future of work, and other disruptive technologies, often with an emphasis on companies led by diverse founders.
Lexi Reese works as a Partner at Operator Collective, a venture capital firm. Operator Collective is based in San Francisco, California, but invests in companies globally.
