The 2022 Women Leaders In Consulting: Lisa Walkush

As National Managing Principal, Industry, Lisa leads the strategic direction and oversees all aspects of the firm's industry program. She has experience in providing enterprise program management, customer relationship management, operational excellence, compliance and validation, and technology consulting services.

Lisa began her career as a sales engineer at a thin-films coating company after earning a degree in optical engineering. But she soon realized her passion was broader than selling and designing coatings, which led to a 5-year stint at Andersen Business Consulting. There, she developed dual skills for leading technology implementations and managing client relationships, particularly in the life sciences industry.

After moving to Grant Thornton, she headed up a team of 20 partners/principals and 200 colleagues focused on East Coast client engagements. She now helps leaders collaborate across industries, service lines and geographies. In short, her efforts have helped the firm attain record revenues of nearly $2 billion. She continues to build a women-centric workplace: Her leadership team boasts a high percentage of accomplished women and she's created programs designed to help women in the workplace, including a series of women executive wellness retreats for colleagues and clients.

For Lisa, being a successful woman in consulting is a bit like engineering: "You use the tools you have to create something even greater."

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

My greatest achievement will always be the success of my colleagues. I believe the measure of a true leader is what they do to lift up the people around them, and it brings me great joy to be part of the success story for the professionals I lead. I believe that by focusing on people, Grant Thornton can better help clients overcome vexing challenges such as the supply-chain crisis and the Great Resignation.

Moreover, I ask my teams to prioritize agility. By doing so, they don't just solve for one issue, they use the creativity at their disposal to improve areas they might not have even realized needed a little extra attention. I'm endlessly inspired by the success my colleagues have enjoyed because they embraced this philosophy. It's what has helped Grant Thornton create a thriving and high quality Industry practice with a range of interesting and dynamic clients.

What advice would you give to a female consultant just beginning her career?

You should seek supportive, caring mentors, but at the same time, you should always strive to be your greatest advocate. This takes time, confidence and practice, but you can start by speaking up for the little things: a day off when you're feeling overly taxed, or more exposure to a certain type of client or industry. By "starting small," professionals can work their way up to those bigger, more daunting asks. That promotion? Go for it. That client you'd love to take the lead on? Build a case for why you're the right person, then make your pitch. Mentors are instrumental to your career growth, but at the end of the day, no one knows what you want or need as well as you do.

What's the best advice—personal or professional—you've ever received?

"If it doesn't exist yet, build it." Earlier in my career, a firm where I worked didn't have a maternity-leave policy in place because they had employed so few women in the past. So, I took it upon myself to advocate and help build an appropriate policy. I also helped build a networking program for women. Mentorship and community-building have always been two of my greatest passions, and I especially focused on building vital support systems during the pandemic.

For instance, I lead a series of women executive health and wellness retreats for both colleagues and clients. These events give women an outlet to connect with one another outside of the office at a time when safe, in-person connection is rare. Plus, these retreats promote the physical and mental health of our people during a global crisis that has left so many of us feeling drained and often helpless. Over 100 people have already attended these retreats, with more events in works, and it all started because I took a leap and decided to build something new.

What does being honored as a Woman Leader in Consulting mean to you?

This recognition is a reflection of my amazing team here at Grant Thornton. They have grown our Industry practice to enviable heights, and I am humbled and honored to work with such a talented group of professionals — people whom I consider to be not just colleagues, but friends.