Sharks of DigitalOcean: Laura Schaffer, VP, Growth

Laura Schaffer, Vice President of Growth at DigitalOcean, leads the team responsible for helping customers onboard and grow with DigitalOcean. In this edition of Shark Tales, she shares what excites her about building a self-serve experience, the energy that fuels her team, and why DigitalOcean stands out as a special place to work.

What makes DigitalOcean a unique place to work?

There’s a ton of opportunity here, and I’m excited about everything we’re building together. But what really sets DigitalOcean apart is how driven and united we are. We show up each day ready to collaborate, eager to deliver value to our customers, and motivated to make things happen. It’s incredibly energizing to work in an environment where everyone shares that same hunger. You feel it in every conversation and project; it’s inspiring, it’s motivating, and it makes this a truly special place to be.

Can you tell us about the team you lead and how it supports DigitalOcean’s mission?

I lead the Growth team, and our focus is on helping customers get started with DigitalOcean. It’s such a fun space to be in because we get to witness that first spark, when someone signs up, explores what we offer, and has that “Aha!” moment. Our platform is simple and easy to use, and seeing new users discover that for themselves is incredibly rewarding. Every day, my team helps users reach that point of discovery, and that’s a powerful thing to be a part of.

What excites you most about your work?

As someone focused on growth and self-serve, I’m especially excited about how our technology enables simplicity. It might sound counterintuitive, but it takes a lot of complexity behind the scenes to create an experience that feels effortless. That’s what we’re constantly refining, making it easy for our customers to accomplish their goals so they can get back to building what they’re passionate about. We’ve spent years investing in this simplicity, and it’s amazing to see how it empowers developers to move faster and innovate with fewer obstacles in their way.

Dive into the future with DigitalOcean

At DigitalOcean, our customers and community are at the heart of everything we do. We believe in acting like owners, with a bias for action and a relentless drive to simplify cloud computing. If you’re passionate about continuous learning, thinking bold, and being part of a supportive, innovative team, explore our open roles today!