Meet Lisa
I’m Lisa Gerber
“I was the kid in the corner reading a book and getting lost in the stories.”
I didn’t see it at the time, but those stories opened my eyes to possibilities outside of the life I knew in Upstate New York. Between that and my supportive dad’s influence, I headed to Colorado after college to ski and figure out what I wanted to do. Life led me to Seattle from there, and in 2001, my employer, where I handled communications in urban development and revitalization, announced it had purchased a ski resort in Idaho. Shortly after, I was offered the director of marketing position, and overnight, my urban cubicle became a full-blown office with a ski rack on the wall. Life came full circle.
I still live at the ski resort, and I am still figuring out life. I learned a few things along the way. Life is figuring out life. That’s why it’s called the School of Life.
I’ve also learned that when we pursue our dreams, when we have time to think about what we want and are intentional about the life we design, we can lead a meaningful life. At its heart, that’s what my work is about.
How do we form relationships at work and in life that keep us motivated, aligned with others, and doing good work in the world?
People are saying no to organizations without a clear purpose, to toxic work cultures, and to brands that don’t align with their values. They are saying yes to purpose and meaning. That starts with the stories we tell ourselves and then the stories we tell each other.
How I Found My
Way Here
With more than 20 years of experience in communications, I have worked in travel and hospitality, urban revitalization, and the ski industry before starting my own PR firm, which evolved into the work I do today.
I have helped clients transform how they communicate. They have used stories to fund education through a permanent tax levy, secure $1.75 million in funding for a conservation organization, and earn the trust of thousands of employees in a global outdoor education company. I have helped leaders shape perceptions and motivate behavior to elevate positioning and debunk misperceptions about their organizations.
I have written two books on these ideas and insights. My first, From So What? To So Funded!: How Nonprofits Use Story to Create Impact and Change the World, was written for nonprofit leaders. I realized that wasn’t enough. I wanted to put these ideas into a broader context for entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and service professionals.
How I Show Up in
This Work
I’ve been told I have a knack for finding simplicity in complexity. That I can channel my clients’ voices and help put words into their mouths. My clients appreciate my candor and truthfulness, and that I embody the very ideas I share.
I’ve encouraged some to make big decisions that pushed their comfort zones. Most importantly, I help people find the value in what they have to offer and share it in a way that gets them noticed.
