In the time that I have observed Lisa in her role as facilitator of the Racial Equity and Social Justice Committee, I have found her to be extremely thoughtful, self-reflective and intentional in her work. She also has the capacity to note where change is called for, and to make those changes transparently. This is not easy work, but Lisa does it with grace and generosity.

Layla Shirani, Senior Staff Attorney, Civil Rights at CAIR-CA

I had the pleasure of being coached by Lisa Jimenez. Her straightforward, constructive yet complimentary feedback was exactly what I needed to help turn my weaknesses to strengths. She helped me navigate through real time situations as well as uncover natural leadership traits that I did not realize I had. Our conversations were always laced with lessons and relatable experiences that made our 1 hour sessions go by far too quick. Lisa is a wealth of knowledge and her experience is vast. The encouragement she provided left me motivated far after our coaching sessions ended and her words continue to inspire me on those rough days when I have to refer back to notes from our sessions. I highly recommend Lisa Jimenez as a coach. You will see improvement.

Bonita Martin, Sr. Manager – Sun Life, Group Life Claims

She is a reflective practitioner, diligent learner, and graceful leader that brings a humanizing approach to both the technical and relational aspects of equity work. She brings urgency and a wealth of skill at challenging systemic status quo and ways that oppression plays out in systems. I highly recommend Lisa for systems that seek courageous, inspiring, and graceful leadership.

Mark Salinas, Director of Center for Equity Leadership National Equity Project | Oakland, CA

One of the things I most value about working with Lisa is her ability to infuse equity leadership and coaching into every aspect of her work. She designs adult learning and development experiences that build relationships across difference and increase the capacity of both individuals and teams. Each of the leaders with whom Lisa has worked has also grown their own leadership skill sets, most especially their ability to lead for equity and to move their teams further and faster toward their social justice agenda.

Alysse Castro, Alameda County Superintendent of Schools

Lisa's warmly assertive approach is backed by her confidence to captivate high-performing groups, fostering engagement and challenging norms. She conducts timely, efficient meetings to achieve strict agenda outcomes and maximize members' time.

Lisa recognizes the art of group interactions that activate new ideas to think about in a calm and mindful style, which is genuinely appreciated by our group. She navigates the diverse needs of executives adeptly, manages complexity, and ensures impactful outcomes for all members' personalities. Her executive coaching expertise shines through with diligence on strategic questioning, and advancing learning goals, all while prioritizing organizational needs.

Lisa's facilitation skills make her an invaluable asset, and I highly recommend her for any role demanding expertise in navigating, leading, and bringing max value to executive leadership audiences.

Julie Krommenhoek

I don't usually take the time to write these, but Lisa Jiménez brought such exceptional abilities as a program planner, designer, and facilitator and I want the universe to know how profoundly she benefited our national professional organization.

From the outset, Lisa's strategic and innovative approach to program design has been nothing short of remarkable. She exhibits an innate understanding of our organization's objectives and participant needs, and uniquely blends these insights to create programs that are not just informative but also transformative (i.e. not just another zoom meeting: folks are on screen and engaged the entire time).

I have worked with numerous facilitators in my career and Lisa's ability to facilitate these programs is genuinely top tier. She navigates complex topics with ease (strategically and on-the-spot), fostering an environment that encourages active participation and promotes learning.

But what truly sets Lisa apart is the impact her work has had on our diverse and highly skilled group participants. The feedback we've received has been overwhelmingly positive, with many participants citing the new perspectives gained and practical skills learned as transformative to their careers - and professional wellbeing.

Femily Howe, Gender Equity Tech Advisor

I was experiencing several organizational changes that either happened back-to-back or concurrently. In this increasingly VUCA world, with new and unique challenges coming up seemingly daily, in multiple spheres, I am grateful to have been able to have Lisa as a sounding board and coach. With Lisa, I was able to gain additional leadership tools and insight that enhanced my effectiveness. Lisa has the ability to draw out the right answers from you without feeding you the answers. With this approach, you end up coming up with strategies that are authentic to you and tailored to your leadership style. She also shared multiple frameworks that I still utilize to this day to help with prioritization, reduce uncertainty and increase efficiency. 

Dilim Oregbu, Senior Advisor and Director

Lisa has been supporting our development of an Executive Coaching program, as part of our long-term partnerships for racial justice. With her thought-partnership and guidance, we created a framework for our coaching program that aligns with our overarching goals. She has connected us with resources to enhance our coaching framework and program, and provided insights and feedback on the development of internal materials. We are grateful for Lisa's expertise, and look forward to our continued work together!

Olga Pagan, Director of Programs and Research at the Center for Racial Justice

As my coach Lisa quickly helped me realize what I really wanted to achieve, both in my career and personal life, and to believe that it was possible. My attitude about myself and my career has completely shifted. Our sessions were inspiring, challenging, insightful and energizing and opened up valuable new perspectives on my current situation. Leading me to dig deep in exploring previous experiences and personal values to create my own solutions and path forward. The benefits of our work together have already been rapidly visible. I am grateful for her professionalism, positivity and guidance.

Evadne Griffin, Global Project Management

Lisa was my executive coach for the last 9 months and all I could say is transformative. From day one Lisa put the ball in my court and allowed me to grow into the person I told her I wanted to be on day one. I miss our hard conversations, challenging questions but tons of laughs in between. Lisa is was not only my coach but now a lifelong friend. I told her on our last session she can't get rid of me. I asked and she delivered. Within a month of our last Coaching session ending I received a promotion. Lisa truly prepared me for the next level. She gave me tools and was able to give me real time sessions from current experience in the workforce. Most importantly Lisa let me be me. I will forever be grateful how Lisa helped me align and achieve a small portion of my goals in such a short period of time. If you are looking to be transformed look no further Lisa is the perfect person for you. 

Kiomi Addo, Director Portfolio Team Lead

Lisa's coaching has been nothing short of transformational for me as I've deepened my C-suite leadership capabilities in varied operational environments. Lisa's approach is a magical balance of vulnerability-inviting and growth/challenge-offering, with an incredible knack for facilitating a group of strong-minded leaders.

Lisa does 3 important things for me:

1. She guides me to my own realization of my power and my voice, and how to think about leveraging each to drive client/company performance in my own style

2. She never lets me rest on my accomplishments; she promotes growth and challenges my stuck ways of thinking, unlocking important conversations driving business strategy

3. She taught me how to gain perspective I had not previously seen - probably one of the most important things for leadership teams spanning experiences, generations and backgrounds.

Sidnee Peck, Startup CPO

Lisa is a "real" coach and does not shy away from the tough discussions. She will push you past your comfort zone but you will emerge better for it.  Tough with her pushing you to look within yourself to find the answers. Some sessions were very emotional but I felt I came out better for it. I gained a deeper understanding of what was holding me back and gain skills to help manage it instead of allowing it to hinder me.

Tess Holcombe, Regional Director Access & Reimbursement

Lisa is a skilled relationship builder who is able to weave grassroots organizational change into complex systems and organizational development.

Balandra Fregoso, Executive Director

I have had the pleasure of working with Lisa as the Director of 21st Century School Leaders Academy.  In our work together Lisa served as leadership coach for both site and district level leaders and served as a co-designer for professional learning opportunities that focused on systemic leadership, leading for equity and justice and transformation from the organizational and systemic level.  Lisa works consistently to support leaders in their efforts to construct systems, structures, and policies that have a direct impact on equitable outcomes.  Lisa has extensive experience in developing a leader's capacity to lead with an equity focus.  

Cheryl Domenichelli, Director, University of California at Berkeley

I was introduced to Lisa as a request for mentorship. After a few minutes into the conversation, it was clear our relationship wouldn't be that of a mentor/mentee, but two professionals engaging in difficult and complex conversations about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Lisa brings a unique perspective having worked in education, within communities, non-profits, and corporations. She fundamentally understands how to tackle difficult challenges while engaging and uniting making difficult work manageable. She is the consultant and advocate everyone should have the opportunity to partner with.

Chuwanda Thigpen, HR Executive Human Capital Management

Lisa and I have studied together, learned together, worked together and traveled in the same circles for years. We at the National Equity Project are proud that she is one of our Equity Fellows and know we can call on her for a wide range of projects involving equity leadership development, group facilitation, professional learning, and coaching. I am confident to recommend Lisa for a wide range of projects. She delivers and is the real deal!

Lisa Lasky, Managing Director at National Equity Project

Lisa is a powerful and insightful coach, she has strong experience in learning and development and deep expertise in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. 

Robyn Powell, Senior VP Growth Enablement

The executive coaching sessions and organizational development with Lisa had an incredible impact on me as a leader. Lisa was able to guide me through the most challenging transition at a nonprofit serving the mission. She centered justice and belonging in our work and supported me to navigate my personal identity throughout this time. Her transformational coaching methods helped me strategize my thinking on leading and managing through the values that I can contribute, and to see through the values each member of the organization brings together. She guided me through the thinking to identify problems and strategize equity centered solutions. She was always prepared. She was able to point out blind spots that I missed that are critical in executing the leadership work that needs to get done. My growth as a leader was tremendous with Lisa's executive coaching. 

Julie Ma, VP Business Strategy

Lisa and I have studied together, learned together, worked together and traveled in the same circles for years. We at the National Equity Project are proud that she is one of our Equity Fellows and know we can call on her for a wide range of projects involving equity leadership development, group facilitation, professional learning, and coaching. I am confident to recommend Lisa for a wide range of projects. She delivers and is the real deal!

Lisa Lasky, Managing Director at National Equity Project

I have had the pleasure of working with Lisa over the past year and half through her leadership on the Racial Justice Task Force. Lisa has brought such incredible value to the Task Force, not the least of which have been the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Learning Labs that she also co-leads. These labs have been incredible opportunities to raise the liberatory consciousness of ourselves and others (particularly those with opposing viewpoints) by developing and practicing skills of empathic listening and engagement through calling-in role play and equity-centered practices. These have been very powerful experiences and have really pushed our communication skills to new levels to operationalize equity.

Lisa has brought organization, structure, passion for the work, and laughter (always important and always respectful). She also has a breadth of very tactical and strategic experience, and with that has been able to provide informative general resources to all Task Force members, as well as highly relevant and helpful topic specific resources for the sub-committees. 

I firmly believe we are making even greater progress thanks to Lisa’s involvement.  I cannot commend her highly enough. If you need someone to help your organization, public or private, make headway and transformational change in the realm of diversity, equity and justice, Lisa is just that person.

David Lown, CMO