Imagine being a kid who’s too sick to attend school, spending days in isolation, and missing out on the connections most of us take for granted. Fast forward a few years, and that same kid, now a teenager, is using a dial-up modem to write letters to over 100 pen pals from countries all around the world. Not too long after that, she’s hosting people from across the globe in her small apartment in Lithuania - strangers who quickly become friends, thanks to her warm hospitality and innate ability to build communities. That’s Aušrinė Keršanskaitė’s journey - one that has shaped her into the connector, collaborator, and community builder she is today.
Much like Professor X from X-Men, Aušrinė sees beyond the surface. She’s not just fostering connections and building communities, she’s helping people discover their strengths, understand themselves, and recognize how deeply connected we all are. Professor X has the unique ability to unite people and see their potential, even when they can’t see it in themselves, and that’s exactly what Aušrinė does. Whether through her work with Operations Nation or at Reframe, she’s creating spaces where people can come together, collaborate, and grow.
“I had a very difficult time growing up until about 10 or 11,” Aušrinė shared. “I was a pretty ill kid, not attending school a lot, hadn’t really formed friendships or connections, and didn’t know how to do that. When I got older, I just wanted to connect with people, to understand them and their stories. That’s how the pen pals started - and eventually, that desire to connect turned into hosting travelers from all over the world.”
Hosting wasn’t just about sharing her space, it was about sharing lives, cultures, and perspectives. Over time, more than 100 people stayed with her. “I remember a day when people kept showing up because I wasn't very organized, and I overbooked - one time I had 8 people staying at my place,” she laughs. “Sometimes they’d cook food, like staying at a hostel, having nice conversations.”
Her approach to connection carried over into her professional life. As the founder of Operations Nation, Aušrinė created a space for operations professionals to come together - not to compete, but to collaborate. “The rising tide lifts all boats,” she often says. “Competition is great if it sparks innovation, but if we pull resources together and collaborate, it’s better for everyone.”
This collaborative mindset also drives her work at Reframe, where she leads as Head of Operations. For Aušrinė, it’s not just about operational excellence but about fostering an environment of openness and shared growth. “What I’ve always wanted is for everyone to be more open with each other. I’ve been doing that since I was a kid,” she reflects.
At Reframe, this philosophy shapes the way she operates. Aušrinė is always thinking three steps ahead, considering intended and unintended consequences of decisions. “I’m trying to set a new standard for myself and how we operate. We’re figuring out how to build better operations by dogfooding our own product,” she explains, referring to the practice of using Reframe’s tools internally to improve efficiency and teamwork.
Collaboration and connection are truly key in her role. Whether managing legal, finance, people ops, compliance or wherever there’s a gap, Aušrinė’s focus is always on building and supporting a team that thrives together, rather than working in silos. “What I love about Jeff’s leadership is how holistically, thoughtfully, and intentionally he approaches everything. It’s not only what we’re set out to achieve, but also how important it is to him how the team works together. He always starts by seeing the good in people, and that’s how we build here.”
Aušrinė’s mornings are as grounded as her approach to life. She starts every day by grinding her coffee beans, making filtered coffee, and sipping from the same LEGO head mug - a quirky but fitting symbol for her. “My partner and I take our manual coffee grinder with us when we travel and I drink from the same LEGO mug every day,” she smiles. The interlocking pieces of LEGO’s represent how she approaches life - everything connected, everyone working together, and each piece playing a vital role in building something larger. This simple, centered approach is part of what makes her a force of calm, clarity, and connection at Reframe.
Her love for connection is even reflected in her creative side. A trained violinist, guitarist, and singer, when Aušrinė moved to London, her innate courage and desire to connect led her to an entirely different kind of stage - the London Underground. As a busker in a band, she found herself singing to thousands of hustling commuters. “I didn’t want the spotlight. I just loved it when someone walking by would stop and listen. Thousands of people walk by each day. It’s not about the performance. It’s about that one person who stops, listens, and connects with the music.” For Aušrinė music was another bridge - an opportunity to connect with others in a way that transcended words. She wasn’t performing. She was sharing.
At Reframe, she thrives on the balance between creativity and structure, echoing the themes that have been consistent throughout her life. “Creativity requires freedom but also structure,” she notes. “You need the space to be and the power to do.” This balance is the foundation she aims to bring to the team, ensuring we have both structure to succeed and the creative freedom to dream big - much like Reframe’s technology. Just as Professor X nurtures his student’s abilities while providing them guidance and boundaries they need, Aušrinė makes sure Reframe’s team has the space and tools to unleash their full potential.
“What excites me about Reframe is how we’re reframing the way we look at work. It’s all about unleashing creativity - something humans are truly great at but don’t often get the chance to do.” Aušrinė dreams of a future where work is no longer a series of tasks but a place where people can be their most creative, authentic selves.
She may not have telepathic abilities, but Aušrinė's power lies in seeing the potential in people, guiding them toward collaboration, and creating environments where everyone can thrive.
At Reframe, she’s not just building systems, she’s building a community - one where creativity and connection intersect. Her thoughtful approach ensures we’re all seen and heard, working together with a shared purpose.
And just like her beloved LEGO mug, she sees how each person, every project, and all the components can come together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. With her unwavering Professor X-like belief in humanity rising above conflict and embracing its shared connections, Aušrinė works hard to unlock the potential in others while promoting a sense of unity. We are lucky to have her on our team.