From Unseen to Unstoppable: The Power of Finding My Voice
I’ve spent years leading from the shadows. Now, I’m stepping forward to amplify what matters.
From the moment I left home at 18 to chase my dream of acting in NYC, I’ve been carving my own way.
Yeah, yeah—I know. Me and every other transplant.
I’ve always thrown myself into whatever I set my mind to—and I’m damn good at it. From starring in and co-producing my own web series to becoming the Deputy IT Director for a U.S. Presidential campaign, I’ve sought out opportunities and fought like hell to be there. And it hasn’t just been about shifting careers—it’s been about creating space for myself to lead, even when no one told me I could.
The Power of Women’s Voices
Growing up, I was always deeply aware of the power of women’s voices. My mom was a total Charlotte Pickles type—sharp, assertive, commanding in a power suit, and working in tech (a mysterious, mystical world to me as a ’90s kid). She set the tone for what strong, independent womanhood looked like—on her own terms.
That energy runs generations deep. My grandmother and her four sisters are true Catholic matriarchs—fun-sized and formidable. They lead from kitchens, church halls, and volunteer drives, each filled with warm laughter, sharp instincts, and a hint of steel beneath the surface. It’s so powerful that we ended up giving it a moniker: Hollander Syndrome—after their maiden name. In our family, it means being a quiet force of nature—the one who makes things work when the odds are stacked. It’s not about fancy titles or noise. It’s about presence, grit, and a little bit of magic. If you’ve ever found a path no one else could see, rallied people to your cause, or made the impossible happen through sheer force of will—that’s Hollander Syndrome.
Finding My Own Path
By high school, I was already stepping into that legacy. I helped build a coalition of student leaders across clubs and pitched ideas directly to the principal that shaped how we showed up as a school community—like organizing a multicultural celebration and filming interviews to uplift the stories behind it. I didn’t have the language for it then, but I was already practicing coalition-building, storytelling, and inclusive leadership.
Moving to the big city was… a lot. Ignorance is bliss, because if I’d known what I was getting myself into, I’m not sure I would’ve gone. I took my naïve, Midwestern, Elle Woods-looking behind to NYC on my own—and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I made friends in unlikely places and found my people in the goth and industrial scene.
New York: Cracked Open and Reborn
New York cracked me open in the best way. I ignored the advice of all dyed my hair jet black and embraced the local goth scene. I was entranced by a subculture where gender fluid Queens fixed my makeup in broken bathroom mirrors. I danced on tables, stages, and bars with people of every gender identity and expression. I reveled in the joy of being surrounded by people who were unapologetically themselves. It was loud, raw, and real—and it taught me how expansive community can be when everyone’s allowed to show up fully as they are.
Shaping My Own Story
I learned how to shape my story—onstage, behind the bar, and eventually, on the campaign trail. When I got the job as Deputy IT Director for the 2024 Democratic Presidential campaign, I felt alive again. After Kamala lost and we all panicked and whispered to each other “What do we do now?!” I had this deep, powerful feeling of wanting to continue the fight and use my voice to advance the causes I believe in. To fight for the people who are being unjustly targeted—my friends, who come from diverse races, gender identities, countries, and economic backgrounds— Individuals who all deserve to not only get by, but to get ahead.
After years of leading behind the scenes, proving myself in rooms I wasn’t expected in (or always welcomed), and making it work without asking for permission, I’m stepping into a new chapter. Now, I’m not just shaping my own story—I’m using my voice to amplify the issues that matter.
The same voice I used to shout into the world as a teenager with big opinions. The one I’ve honed through experience, grit, and confidence. I know my voice gets heard, so I’m using it to open doors, raise hell, and make space for everyone.
What’s Next: Bouncing Off the Glass Ceiling
This space isn’t just about breaking through glass ceilings—it’s about challenging the systems that made those ceilings in the first place. Bouncing Off the Glass Ceiling is where I’ll explore power, leadership, and feminism, while amplifying voices from every community—especially those too often ignored or overlooked.
Let’s keep bouncing off that ceiling—together—until it finally breaks.
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🫶 love and appreciate you so much! Keep up the good trouble! You are a voice I love listening to! Xoxtina
This is wonderful, Lauren. You were such a strong force in high school, but I worried about you when you went to NYC. I shouldn't have; you just got stronger and more creative. You continue to impress me. I'm eager to follow your work here because I know you can do incredible things!