Laura Chavez-Varela serves as an associate at Omidyar Network. In this role, Laura oversees the technology programmatic portfolio and engages across the organization’s investment and stakeholder network. 

Prior to joining Omidyar Network, Laura leveraged her policy background and tech experience conducting research for the tech unicorn ByteDance and managed a cross-functional team at an early-stage Blockchain startup. Before this, Laura explored and supported the development and implementation of digital government strategies within the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Her background in international affairs includes the mapping of peacebuilding initiatives centered on youth across the United Nations Development Programme and managing trade missions for the UK Department for International Trade. Laura is keen to explore how technology impacts human life and intersects with larger social justice movements, governance, and development challenges.

Laura holds an MSc in global affairs from Tsinghua University in Beijing, where she was a Schwarzman scholar, and an MPP from the Oxford Blavatnik School of Government. She earned her B.A. in international relations at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education in Mexico City.