Ann Varanakis

As Chief People Officer, Ann leads all aspects of LifeStance’s human resources function and people strategy, ensuring that the company delivers an exceptional employee experience and culture. With over 20 years of experience, she brings a proven track record of developing strong cultures and high-performing teams at leading organizations.

Prior to joining LifeStance, Ann spent a decade at Discover Financial Services in a variety of senior leadership roles. Most recently, she served as Vice President, Workforce Management, Operations Analytics, and Communications and was responsible for implementing new operational strategies and providing strategic staffing direction for Discover’s Card and Consumer Banking verticals. Previously, Ann spent nearly ten years in the pharmaceutical industry overseeing leadership development, post-acquisition integrations, operational change management, and technology solutions to drive improved performance.

Ann received a B.S. in Organizational Psychology from The University of Utah and an M.S. in Organizational Communication from Northwestern University. She is based in Scottsdale, Arizona.