# Lisa McLaughlin

> Lisa McLaughlin is the co-founder and former co-CEO of Workit Health, an entrepreneur, angel investor, mentor, and writer. A University of Michigan graduate in information and social work, she previously worked in open education and product innovation. Her public career includes building with Robin McIntosh, Schwab Foundation recognition in 2019, and the launch of Every Grain of Sand in 2024.

- **Role:** Writer at Every Grain of Sand; Co-founder of Workit Health
- **Organizations:** Workit Health, Every Grain of Sand, Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education (ISKME), Gooru, University of Michigan, Desai Accelerator, Endeavor Detroit, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, Michigan Founders Fund, Accelerate Blue Fund
- **From:** Detroit, United States
- **Education:** Master of Science in Information (MSI), University of Michigan School of Information, Master of Social Work (MSW), University of Michigan School of Social Work
- **Known for:** Co-founded Workit Health in 2015 with Robin McIntosh., Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur recognition, 2019., TechWeek Detroit technology recognition, 2017.

## Career timeline

- **2008** — Completed MSI and MSW degrees at the University of Michigan; subsequently worked with Daniel Atkins on community informatics.
- **2010** — Identified as OER Commons Manager at ISKME in a University of Michigan seminar presentation and an FAO community profile.
- **2011** — Named ISKME contact for the Achieve/OER Commons resource-evaluation tool announcement.
- **2012-2014** — Served as Director of OER Commons and Open Knowledge Networks at ISKME, according to her professional-profile chronology.
- **2014** — Held product innovation responsibilities at ISKME and a partnerships role at Gooru.
- **2015** — Co-founded Workit Health with Robin McIntosh; served as co-CEO during its growth.
- **2017** — Received Detroit technology recognition; began mentoring with Desai Accelerator.
- **2018** — Joined Endeavor Detroit and received New Enterprise Forum Rising Star recognition for 2018.
- **2019** — Named a Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur alongside Robin McIntosh.
- **2021** — Workit announced a $118 million Series C led by Insight Partners; McLaughlin joined the Accelerate Blue Fund investment advisory board.
- **2022** — Professional chronology lists the end of her co-CEO tenure; later Detroit Regional Chamber biography identifies her as former CEO.
- **2024** — Launched Every Grain of Sand on February 12.
- **2025** — Published a personal essay on March 18, including a visit to Ann Arbor bookstore Literati.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Workit Health in 2015 with Robin McIntosh.
- Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur recognition, 2019.
- TechWeek Detroit technology recognition, 2017.
- New Enterprise Forum Rising Star of the Year for 2018.
- New Enterprise Forum Entrepreneur of the Year for 2020, presented in 2021.
- Co-led Workit during its $118 million Series C in 2021.
- Helped guide a B Corp certification process begun when Workit had about twelve employees.

## Latest updates

- **2025-03** — Published a personal essay in Every Grain of Sand, including reflections on technology and an Ann Arbor bookstore visit.
- **2024-09** — Her LinkedIn chronology lists the end of her Accelerate Blue Fund investment advisory board service.
- **2024-02** — Introduced Every Grain of Sand as her newsletter and current venture.

## Links

- Website: https://everygrainofsand.substack.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmclaug/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/lmclaug

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/lisa-mclaughlin
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-26