Lisa Soss
Lisa Soss has built a dynamic career at the intersection of operations, technology, and product strategy, driven by a passion for solving complex business challenges and helping organizations grow. Over nearly 13 years with Financial Independence Group, Lisa advanced through multiple roles spanning annuity and life insurance operations, business analysis, and product management. Her ability to bridge communication between stakeholders and engineering teams, combined with her operational expertise, positioned her as a trusted leader in the company’s technology division. Recently promoted to Senior Product Manager, Lisa has become known for developing innovative solutions that streamline processes, improve efficiency, and support long-term business growth. Throughout her career, Lisa has embraced continuous learning and professional growth. With more than eight years focused on product and technology strategy, she has led initiatives involving stakeholder management, process improvement, and digital transformation within the insurance distribution industry. Her work has included collaborating on industry-changing technology integrations, supporting annuity and insurance innovation, and contributing to cross-functional teams that prioritize both business performance and customer experience. Lisa’s leadership style emphasizes curiosity, adaptability, and clear communication, qualities that have earned her multiple Employee of the Month recognitions and a featured spotlight within her organization. In addition to her professional experience, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Spanish from University of North Carolina at Greensboro and previously earned her Certified Scrum Product Owner certification. Now entering an exciting new chapter, Lisa has launched her own consulting practice, Soss Strategy Group, where she plans to help small and mid-sized businesses gain clarity, prioritize effectively, and build scalable operational and product strategies. Her entrepreneurial move reflects her long-standing desire to continue learning while empowering organizations to overcome growth challenges with confidence. Beyond her professional work, Lisa is a committed advocate for women's empowerment and mental health awareness. She has partnered with Race for Impact to raise funds for women's empowerment initiatives and regularly competes in charity races supporting mental health causes. Whether leading product strategy, building new business opportunities, or giving back through the causes she believes in, Lisa remains committed to growth, collaboration, and helping others succeed.
• Certified Scrum Product Owner
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro- B.A.
• Employee of the Month (multiple times)
• Team Member Spotlight October 2024
• Race for Impact- Womens empowerment
• Race for Impact - Women's Empowerment Initiative
• Mental Health Awareness Races
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my parents, who taught me at every age the importance of work ethic. But a lot of my inspiration today also comes from difficult circumstances - my mom passed away and my dad has dementia, and they didn't make it to retirement. Seeing that has given me more fire to actually live my life authentically and follow my heart, doing things that excite me and taking risks. Those are values they didn't necessarily have, but watching them not make it past retirement put things in perspective for me. It's made me realize you never know how much time you have left, so what are you waiting for? You really need to make every day count because you never know what could happen.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Always be humble. If you get to the point where you feel like you know everything, you've probably lost the point, because there's always something to learn. And if you ever feel like you're sort of stagnant in your career and the learning stops, follow your heart and follow that excitement, follow the hunger. It just makes it a lot easier to show up for work every day when you love what you do and you have that fire in you.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stay true to yourself. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and don't be afraid to question why if the why is unclear. Don't be afraid to sort of push the mold a bit and question things that you're told, because having that curiosity can get you far and can open a lot of doors for you.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
AI is probably the biggest challenge and opportunity right now. There's definitely a benefit to AI, but there's also a lot of challenge in making sure it's being used correctly. A lot of industries, not just mine, are trying to figure out how to incorporate AI, but there's also a responsibility to it. We need to make sure the data that's being used for AI is being protected and that it's being used in a responsible way.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are authenticity, trust, and continuous growth, because I believe meaningful relationships and lasting success are built on honesty, reliability, and a willingness to keep learning.