The unseen architecture of change.
Every organization has a shadow
The shadow is the space between what leaders say and what people feel - the stories whispered in hallways, the beliefs that shape decisions, and the fear that lingers after change.
That’s where I work.
Not in the chaos of crisis, but in the quiet architecture beneath it. I help leaders find coherence, truth, and compassion in how they communicate transformation.
I created Arcana Communications to help organizations move through change with their humanity intact. Because transformation is never just structural or scientific. It’s emotional. Cultural. Relational.
It requires language that holds people steady while everything shifts.
About Lara Steele, PhD
I’ve spent more than fifteen years at the intersection of science, story, and organizational transformation.
As a communications and change leader inside some of the most complex biotech environments, I’ve guided companies through growth, integration, restructuring, and renewal - moments that test not only business strategy, but leadership character.
Before founding Arcana Communications, I built the first communications function at BlueRock Therapeutics, following its acquisition by Bayer. There, I helped guide executives and employees through rapid scale-up, portfolio evolution, and cultural redefinition translating complex science and strategy into narratives people could understand, believe in, and act on.
Earlier in my career, I led R&D communications at Biogen, supporting global research leaders during periods of organizational change, crisis, and reinvention.
Across every chapter, the pattern was the same: when people feel seen, heard and understand the why behind change - the transformation holds. When they don’t, even the best strategies fracture.
That insight became the foundation of Arcana’s work.
What I bring
Biotech fluency — Deep understanding of scientific organizations, R&D environments, and the emotional rhythms of the life sciences industry.
Narrative precision — A gift for finding the signal in the noise; crafting language that aligns leaders, calms uncertainty, and builds credibility.
Human-centered systems thinking — Recognizing that change happens not in slides or emails, but in relationships, trust, and repetition.
Composure under pressure — Guiding executives through high-stakes communications with a balance of empathy and strategic clarity.
My Approach
I approach transformation the way a scientist approaches a system - through observation, pattern recognition, and experimentation - but with the empathy of a storyteller.
My work sits at the intersection of:
Organizational psychology – how people adapt under stress.
Narrative design – how meaning shapes behavior.
Communications strategy – how information becomes trust.
Arcana’s role is to translate those insights into action: helping leaders lead, teams reconnect, and organizations evolve without losing their humanity.
Arcana’s principles
Clarity: Truth creates alignment. Say what’s real, even when it’s hard.
Compassion: Change impacts people first; communications should honor that reality.
Courage: There is a path to help leaders step into vulnerability with strength.
Craft: Words matter. Structure matters. Integrity in execution matters.
Let’s talk
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and I will be in touch shortly. I can’t wait to hear from you!