About Fortuna

Vanessa Gennarelli is the principal of Fortuna, a change management firm, and the chief operating officer for Workbrew. She has led cross-functional teams at rapidly growing organizations, including GitHub Education through its acquisition by Microsoft. While at one of the largest tech companies on the planet, she learned how to navigate cultural differences, integrate new processes, and help direct reports thrive through change.

Her book on change management for the tech industry, Surviving Change at Work, was published by A Book Apart in the fall of 2023, and has been covered by Fast Company, Built In, Blinkist’s Simplify, and Design Better.

With a background in instructional design, Vanessa has a master’s degree in technology, innovation, and education (Harvard). She is a former research intern at MIT Media Lab, and a graduate of the LEAD Program (Stanford Business School). At home in Philadelphia, she invests in small businesses through the Circle of Aunts and Uncles, a group dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Circadium School of Contemporary Circus.

“Fortuna” is a reference to the Roman goddess of luck, and her pug, Tuna.