In the bustling world of finance, where numbers reign supreme, Lisa carved out a unique path that would lead her from the rigid structures of accounting to the dynamic realm of customer-centric leadership. Her story is one of adaptation, growth, and the relentless pursuit of understanding what makes customers tick.
Lisa's journey began in the concrete jungle of New York, where she cut her teeth in public accounting. The city's skyline wasn't just a backdrop; it was a constant reminder of the heights she aspired to reach. Armed with her New York State CPA license, Lisa was ready to take on the world of high finance.
Enter American Express, the financial behemoth that would become Lisa's professional home for two decades. Here, Lisa didn't just crunch numbers; she learned to listen to the story they told. Risk management became her first language, and marketing her second. As she navigated the corridors of power, Lisa found herself at the nexus of major partnerships, including the titans Costco and Starwood (now Marriott).
"In those halls, I learned that finance wasn't just about balance sheets. It was about balancing the needs of the customer with the goals of the company," Lisa reflects.
Life, as it often does, threw Lisa a curveball. With two young children tugging at her heartstrings, she made the bold decision to step back from the corporate race. But this wasn't a full stop; it was merely a comma in her professional sentence.
During this time, Lisa discovered a new path: consulting. It was the perfect solution, allowing her to keep one foot in the professional world while having the flexibility to be there for school plays and soccer practices.
Seven years ago, a serendipitous meeting with a fellow Citi consultant led Lisa to find and join Blend. The company's promise of expertly matched projects and skillful contract negotiations resonated with her desire for meaningful work on her own terms.
"Joining Blend was like finding the missing piece of a puzzle I didn't know I was solving," Lisa muses. “I love that Blend gets everyone together every now and again. It’s really nice to talk to other people who have been on Citi engagement for a while. Sometimes, you don’t even know who else is working for Citi so it’s really nice to see who’s working for whom, who’s been around for a while and who’s new.”
Throughout her career, Lisa found herself surrounded by brilliant women who showed her what was possible. These mentors weren't just colleagues; they were beacons, illuminating the path to leadership.
"I saw a lot of very smart, accomplished women, and I was very impressed," Lisa recalls, her voice tinged with admiration. "They showed me how to blend finance with strategy, how to see the big picture without losing sight of the details."
The opportunity to blend her finance background with strategy, business development, and partnerships deeply appealed to her. During her time at Citi and American Express, Lisa learned the analytical nature of business and how strategy can evolve from it. She effectively leveraged her accounting and finance background to be strategic, combining these skills to drive impactful business decisions.
Lisa's true superpower emerged at the intersection of analytical thinking and customer empathy. She became adept at translating customer needs into innovative products, a skill honed through years of experience at customer-centric giants like Citi and American Express.
"It's funny because while I love the finances and figuring things out analytically," Lisa explains, her eyes lighting up, " you want to hear what the customer says, right? That really brings it to life, and I enjoy that very much. When we're doing research and listening to what the customer is saying, we can put products together based on their needs and what they feel is lacking. I love marrying the two sides together."
One of Lisa's proudest moments came when she orchestrated a symphony of services for a key partner at American Express. Where others saw discord, Lisa heard potential harmony.
One challenge stands out in her mind: there was a significant lack of communication between a key partner and American Express. Consequently, the team was not leveraging their strengths and effectively serving the partner.
Lisa took the initiative to address this issue, putting all the pieces together and leading the partnership comprehensively. She describes it as being like the integration of various travel-related services—where involvement in travel means dealing with cards, rewards, and all related aspects. Her leadership and strategic vision were pivotal in transforming the collaboration into a successful and cohesive partnership.
If there's one constant in Lisa's career, it's change. But where others might see turbulence, Lisa sees opportunity.
She acknowledges that organizational changes can be challenging, but she prides herself on her ability to become accustomed to them, push through, and grow. Lisa believes that the key to embracing change is to keep moving forward and maintain high morale. Her personal motto and approach have proven her ability to not only succeed but also thrive in dynamic environments.
Lisa considers this adaptability pivotal advice for other consultants working in the industry. She believes that having the ability to adapt to change and be present in your work provides the opportunity to create an amazing network of people and continue personal growth overall.
Today, as Lisa continues to lead customer-first initiatives at Citi, she's also charting a course into new waters. Her pursuit of social work studies isn't just a new skill set; it's a reflection of her deepest values. For Lisa, it's all about the people, and this is what makes her journey rewarding.
As Lisa looks to the future, her journey serves as an inspiration to professionals everywhere. It's a testament to the power of adaptability, the importance of customer focus, and the endless possibilities that unfold when you remain open to change and committed to growth.
In the ever-evolving world of finance and consulting, Lisa stands as a beacon of innovation and empathy—a true customer-centric visionary whose story is still being written.
If Lisa's story resonates with you, then Blend might be where you can write the rest of yours. Check out our open roles here.
In the bustling world of finance, where numbers reign supreme, Lisa carved out a unique path that would lead her from the rigid structures of accounting to the dynamic realm of customer-centric leadership. Her story is one of adaptation, growth, and the relentless pursuit of understanding what makes customers tick.
Lisa's journey began in the concrete jungle of New York, where she cut her teeth in public accounting. The city's skyline wasn't just a backdrop; it was a constant reminder of the heights she aspired to reach. Armed with her New York State CPA license, Lisa was ready to take on the world of high finance.
Enter American Express, the financial behemoth that would become Lisa's professional home for two decades. Here, Lisa didn't just crunch numbers; she learned to listen to the story they told. Risk management became her first language, and marketing her second. As she navigated the corridors of power, Lisa found herself at the nexus of major partnerships, including the titans Costco and Starwood (now Marriott).
"In those halls, I learned that finance wasn't just about balance sheets. It was about balancing the needs of the customer with the goals of the company," Lisa reflects.
Life, as it often does, threw Lisa a curveball. With two young children tugging at her heartstrings, she made the bold decision to step back from the corporate race. But this wasn't a full stop; it was merely a comma in her professional sentence.
During this time, Lisa discovered a new path: consulting. It was the perfect solution, allowing her to keep one foot in the professional world while having the flexibility to be there for school plays and soccer practices.
Seven years ago, a serendipitous meeting with a fellow Citi consultant led Lisa to find and join Blend. The company's promise of expertly matched projects and skillful contract negotiations resonated with her desire for meaningful work on her own terms.
"Joining Blend was like finding the missing piece of a puzzle I didn't know I was solving," Lisa muses. “I love that Blend gets everyone together every now and again. It’s really nice to talk to other people who have been on Citi engagement for a while. Sometimes, you don’t even know who else is working for Citi so it’s really nice to see who’s working for whom, who’s been around for a while and who’s new.”
Throughout her career, Lisa found herself surrounded by brilliant women who showed her what was possible. These mentors weren't just colleagues; they were beacons, illuminating the path to leadership.
"I saw a lot of very smart, accomplished women, and I was very impressed," Lisa recalls, her voice tinged with admiration. "They showed me how to blend finance with strategy, how to see the big picture without losing sight of the details."
The opportunity to blend her finance background with strategy, business development, and partnerships deeply appealed to her. During her time at Citi and American Express, Lisa learned the analytical nature of business and how strategy can evolve from it. She effectively leveraged her accounting and finance background to be strategic, combining these skills to drive impactful business decisions.
Lisa's true superpower emerged at the intersection of analytical thinking and customer empathy. She became adept at translating customer needs into innovative products, a skill honed through years of experience at customer-centric giants like Citi and American Express.
"It's funny because while I love the finances and figuring things out analytically," Lisa explains, her eyes lighting up, " you want to hear what the customer says, right? That really brings it to life, and I enjoy that very much. When we're doing research and listening to what the customer is saying, we can put products together based on their needs and what they feel is lacking. I love marrying the two sides together."
One of Lisa's proudest moments came when she orchestrated a symphony of services for a key partner at American Express. Where others saw discord, Lisa heard potential harmony.
One challenge stands out in her mind: there was a significant lack of communication between a key partner and American Express. Consequently, the team was not leveraging their strengths and effectively serving the partner.
Lisa took the initiative to address this issue, putting all the pieces together and leading the partnership comprehensively. She describes it as being like the integration of various travel-related services—where involvement in travel means dealing with cards, rewards, and all related aspects. Her leadership and strategic vision were pivotal in transforming the collaboration into a successful and cohesive partnership.
If there's one constant in Lisa's career, it's change. But where others might see turbulence, Lisa sees opportunity.
She acknowledges that organizational changes can be challenging, but she prides herself on her ability to become accustomed to them, push through, and grow. Lisa believes that the key to embracing change is to keep moving forward and maintain high morale. Her personal motto and approach have proven her ability to not only succeed but also thrive in dynamic environments.
Lisa considers this adaptability pivotal advice for other consultants working in the industry. She believes that having the ability to adapt to change and be present in your work provides the opportunity to create an amazing network of people and continue personal growth overall.
Today, as Lisa continues to lead customer-first initiatives at Citi, she's also charting a course into new waters. Her pursuit of social work studies isn't just a new skill set; it's a reflection of her deepest values. For Lisa, it's all about the people, and this is what makes her journey rewarding.
As Lisa looks to the future, her journey serves as an inspiration to professionals everywhere. It's a testament to the power of adaptability, the importance of customer focus, and the endless possibilities that unfold when you remain open to change and committed to growth.
In the ever-evolving world of finance and consulting, Lisa stands as a beacon of innovation and empathy—a true customer-centric visionary whose story is still being written.
If Lisa's story resonates with you, then Blend might be where you can write the rest of yours. Check out our open roles here.
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