Laura DeSoto

Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
Experian

Responsible for driving strategic planning and development for Experian's credit and analytics businesses, Laura DeSoto is focused on global credit bureau expansion and high potential strategic initiatives in the United States.  As part of her responsibilities, Laura co-leads the Client Loyalty/Net Promoter strategy for Experian's credit businesses in the U.S.  The success of this strategy has led to global expansion into the UK, EMEA, and now Latin America - all joining the Net Promoter discipline. 

Prior to her move to lead strategic initiatives, Laura held a leadership role heading innovation and synergy.  There she was responsible for driving leading edge innovation practices across Experian's sixteen America's based business units.  Prior to that, Laura was senior vice president, marketing and product development for the Consumer Information Solutions Business at Experian.   In this capacity she was responsible for developing, planning and executing the product development and marketing strategy for Experian's credit solutions and services. She led a team of 65 people to provide financial services clients with solutions to target, acquire, manage and maximize customer interactions by using Experian's information assets and expertise in risk management and credit marketing. In addition, she led the business unit's five vertical market channels: Collections, Automotive, Credit Union, Healthcare, and Telecommunications, Energy and Cable. These vertical channels focus on marketing programs and product development to serve the unique needs of the industry.

Prior to Experian, Laura was the vice president of corporate development and strategy for Ideon, a financial services organization, where she supported mergers and acquisitions and partnership activities.  She has also worked in management consulting for Arthur Andersen, leading and supporting numerous engagements for financial services, consumer products and technology clients.

Laura is an accomplished speaker, presenting at industry events and conferences on topics ranging from risk management and credit strategies to business-to-business customer loyalty. Laura received a master of business administration degree with a marketing emphasis from the University of San Francisco and a bachelor of science degree in business administration with a marketing emphasis from San Diego State University.