Lexi Zarecky
Advance in Strategy & Operations with a Chief Strategy Officer's Insights
Studied at University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Hiring Manager at Chicago Beyond
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
Lexi's Offerings
Custom hourly · $149/hr
Get help with AI Fundamentals, Business Strategy Development, and .
Lexi’s Business Operations & Strategy Qualifications
Experience level: Executive
I've spent my career building strategy and business operations capabilities across consulting (Deloitte), startups and growth-stage companies (Reforge and Everspring), tech (Udemy), and now as Chief Strategy Officer at Chicago Beyond, where I lead strategy, operations, and AI transformation. Along the way, I've built Strategy & Business Operations functions from the ground up, led corporate strategy and annual planning, redesigned operating models, developed pricing and go-to-market strategy, launched AI products, and partnered directly with executive teams on their most important business decisions. I've also coached professionals on breaking into Strategy & Operations, navigating interviews, and transitioning into strategic roles. Whether you're looking to land your next role or increase your impact in your current one, I'll help you think more strategically, communicate with confidence, and build practical skills you can apply throughout your career.
Lexi can help with:
AI Fundamentals
Business Strategy Development
Competitive Analysis
Cover Letters
Interview Prep
LinkedIn Review
Market Research
Networking Strategy
Operations Management
Process Improvement
Project Management
Resume Review
About Lexi
I've always been drawn to solving complex, ambiguous problems and building the systems that help organizations thrive. That curiosity has led me from consulting at Deloitte, to launching new businesses and building Strategy & Business Operations functions in startups and tech, to now serving as Chief Strategy Officer at Chicago Beyond, where I lead strategy, operations, and AI transformation. What makes my path a little different is that it wasn't linear. I've built my career across consulting, startups, tech, and social impact because I wanted to prove you don't have to choose between ambitious work and meaningful impact. Along the way, I've discovered that I enjoy building just as much as strategizing: creating new functions, designing operating models, launching products, and helping people and organizations navigate moments of transformation. Outside of work, I'm usually exploring a new idea, experimenting with AI, or planning my next adventure. I love learning by doing, and that philosophy shapes how I coach. My goal isn't just to help you land your next opportunity. It's to help you build the confidence, judgment, and practical skills to navigate an evolving career and create one you're genuinely excited about.
Why do I coach?
Some of the biggest inflection points in my career happened because someone took the time to invest in me. Mentors challenged my thinking, helped me navigate difficult decisions, weigh competing opportunities, and see paths I wouldn't have discovered on my own. Those conversations didn't just help me land my next role. They changed the trajectory of my career. That's why I coach. I love helping people navigate the decisions that shape their careers, whether that's breaking into Strategy & Operations, transitioning industries, pursuing mission-driven work, or deciding between a startup, a large tech company, or a nonprofit. My goal is to help you think more clearly, make confident decisions, and build a career that reflects your strengths, ambitions, and values.
Work Experience
CSO
Chicago Beyond
July 2025 - Present
Hiring Manager
Executive leading strategy, grantmaking, and operations for national philanthropy driving systems change in justice and maternal health
Senior Manager, Strategy and Business Operations
Udemy
April 2025 - July 2025
Hiring Manager
Built and led the corporate strategy and business operations function
Business Operations & Strategy Director
Udemy
August 2023 - April 2025
Hiring Manager
Built and led the corporate strategy and business operations function
Head of Program Management [Program Management, Manager]
Reforge
July 2022 - July 2023
Hiring Manager
Led Reforge's program management function and end-to-end delivery of cohort-based programs for thousands of members
Program Management Lead
Reforge
December 2021 - July 2022
Built program management function, led end-to-end execution of cohort-based programs, and drove alignment on strategic priorities to scale and evolve the cohort experience
Industry Mentor - Product, Strategy, and Operations
Pathrise
August 2021 - July 2023
Provided career mentorship through resume reviews, mock interviewing, and career pathing support
VP New Products
Everspring
December 2019 - December 2021
Owned new business unit P&L (EmergingEd) and launched 2 products in 2 years, resulting in multiple new university and corporate partnerships
Summer Intern - Vaccine Delivery Team
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
June 2018 - August 2018
Built out Vaccine Delivery team’s education technology investment strategy to train the global healthcare workforce
Innovation Fund Associate
University of Chicago
January 2018 - June 2018
Performed due diligence on ventures coming out of the University of Chicago ecosystem and provided investment recommendations to the Innovation Fund, a $20M early-stage venture fund.
Director of Operations
Everspring
October 2016 - June 2017
Led operational improvements in day-to-day running of business to support growth of core online program management business
Business Operations Analyst
Everspring
October 2015 - October 2016
Improved business reporting for KPIs and led cross-functional revenue operations initiatives
Strategy & Operations Consultant / Business Analyst
Deloitte
August 2013 - October 2015
Provided strategic and quantitative analyses to transform business models and improve operational efficiency across 6 clients, ranging from Fortune 500 businesses to large hospital systems
Education
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Master of Business Administration - MBA
2017 - 2019
Activities and societies: 2019 Recipient of the Rustandy Center Social Impact Leadership Award, Net Impact Co-Chair, Social Impact Career Advisor, Member of the Booth Education Group and Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital group
Vanderbilt University
Bachelor of Arts, Economics, Political Science
2009 - 2013
Activities and societies: Phi Beta Kappa, Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, Vanderbilt University Alternative Gift Fair, Vanderbilt Alternative Spring Break, Vanderbilt Alternative Winter Break, Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science, Alpha Delta Pi, Global Poverty Initiative, Students Promoting Environmental Awareness and Responsibility, Figure Skating Coach, Vanderbilt Microfinance Club
Lexi was also personally admitted to
Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern)