Lauren Tanzer

If happiness comes from following one’s heart, Lauren Tanzer’s on the right path. Growing up in Melbourne, Australia, she’s always had a passion for going the extra mile. A long-distance runner in her formative years, she also relished the opportunity to direct school plays, bringing cast and crew together to create magnificent productions. Chasing her dreams into her working life, she landed her first “real” job working in the marketing department at the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in California. Producing events and functions for the popular retreat, after half a decade in the mountains Tanzer headed west for the coast, where she joined the creative team at women’s surf wear brand Roxy. Just like her early days in the theater, she excelled at bringing athletes, models, photographers and creative teams together to develop marketing campaigns, as well as produce unique and engaging content that echoed and amplified the brand’s identity. Shifting gears, in the summer of 2013 Tanzer founded Summerjax after the birth of her son, Jax. Roxy was one of the new company’s first clients and they continue to collaborate together to this day. She’s also had the distinct pleasure of working with other clients such as Hollister, Fender, Asics, Specialized, Samsung and Disney. When it comes to her guiding principles, “believe in yourself,” says Tanzer. “Work outside your habits. Collaborate. Keep learning. Trust your gut. Make it sustainable. Question everything. Do your research. Sketch more ideas. Find inspiration everywhere. The problem contains the solution.”