Mercedes de Guardiola is a Communications Manager at Luminary Labs. She leverages her broad experience leading communications strategy across the firm’s education, health, and scientific discovery portfolios to build communities and advance groundbreaking innovations. Mercedes has overseen communications campaigns for Luminary Labs’ open innovation programs, including the LymeX Diagnostics Prize, MagQuest, KidneyX, Mission Daybreak, the Rethink Adult Ed Challenge, and Tool Foundry.

Mercedes honed her marketing and communications skills in previous roles at the Accion U.S. Network and Black Duck Software (now Synopsys). Before joining Luminary Labs, she helped companies such as Merck and Google transform their brands and product innovation strategies. She is always excited to work on innovative solutions to community challenges, particularly in her home city of New York. Outside of the office, Mercedes serves on the Management Council of the New York Junior League as City Impact Council Head, overseeing the nonprofit’s large-scale restoration and on-demand volunteer programs across the city. 

A leading expert on Vermont’s eugenics movement, including public policies of sterilization, mental health, child welfare, and family separation, Mercedes has testified before the state legislature and consults with public and private institutions on ongoing responses. Her publications include Vermont for the Vermonters”: The History of Eugenics in the Green Mountain State and “‘Segregation or Sterilization’: Eugenics in the 1912 Vermont State Legislative Session.” 

Mercedes earned her B.A. from Dartmouth College with a double major in History and Art History. She loves dogs and enjoys exploring new art exhibits across the city.