Her Story
About Lisa
Lisa B. Pickett is a seasoned People & Culture leader, Learning and Development professional, Performance Strategist, and executive coach with more than 15 years of experience spanning human resources, coaching, leadership development, and organizational learning. Her career reflects an unconventional and inspiring journey, beginning in non-traditional industries where she served as a locomotive engineer operating diesel trains, worked in construction, and built expertise in sales before transitioning into talent development and human capital leadership. Drawing on these diverse experiences, Lisa has developed a unique ability to connect with professionals across industries, helping individuals and organizations strengthen leadership capabilities, improve performance, and achieve sustainable growth through strategic learning initiatives.
Throughout her career, Lisa has combined her expertise in instructional design, facilitation, performance consulting, HR business partnership, and organizational development to create impactful learning experiences that align talent strategies with business objectives. In addition to her corporate leadership roles, she founded a consulting and coaching practice dedicated to empowering high-achieving professional women as they navigate career transitions and overcome personal and professional barriers. Through live workshops, executive coaching, leadership programs, and community-based initiatives, she equips clients with the confidence, skills, and strategic mindset needed to pivot successfully into new opportunities. Her consulting work also encompasses leadership development, emotional intelligence, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), conflict resolution, workforce development, and performance improvement, reflecting her passion for building inclusive, high-performing workplace cultures.
Lisa's educational foundation includes a bachelor's degree in philosophy and an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from Patterson Christian College. She further strengthened her expertise through professional certifications in project management, coaching, and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, while maintaining active membership in the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and several women's professional organizations. Guided by a leadership philosophy rooted in service, authenticity, and strategic collaboration, Lisa is recognized for mentoring emerging leaders, fostering meaningful professional relationships, and creating transformational learning experiences that enable individuals and organizations to reach their fullest potential.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lisa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ability to connect genuinely with people and show up authentically in every professional interaction. I am never afraid to take a strategic chance, and I hold a deep confidence in my own abilities. Resilience and dedication mean recognizing that you won't always have all the answers right away, but you possess the drive to do whatever is necessary and assemble the right team to figure it out.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to always leverage your resources and the people around you in a positive way. No one excels or reaches the top entirely on their own; building a successful career requires a strong collaborative ecosystem. Never be afraid to rely on the people who are there to support you. If you look around your immediate environment and find that you lack that necessary support, take the initiative to seek out and build the right team that fits your vision.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My primary advice is to remain fiercely authentic while sharpening your critical thinking skills. In any industry, leaders are always looking for individuals who can actively add value rather than just completing baseline tasks. Avoid getting comfortable with the status quo. Instead, cultivate a forward-thinking mindset that looks at the big picture how your work impacts your entire department, division, and the company as a whole.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The landscape of human resources is undergoing a significant shift as organizations learn to merge human talent with the capabilities of AI and automated chat tools. While this technology undeniably boosts productivity and operational efficiency, it is simultaneously reshaping lower-level positions. The primary challenge we face today is managing this organizational restructuring—specifically, learning how to reallocate our human resources effectively and training team members to master these new digital tools. The ultimate opportunity lies in elevating our workforce: by upskilling employees to work alongside AI, we can protect jobs, enhance roles, and ensure technology acts as a partner to human capital rather than a replacement.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My core values are centered on being of service, giving back, and actively helping others grow. This dedication to upliftment is a direct reflection of my own journey; my success would not be possible without the incredible mentors, coaches, and peers who have walked alongside me and offered their invaluable perspectives. Cultivating a supportive network where knowledge is shared freely is what allows individuals and organizations to thrive.
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