We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lisa Harst. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lisa below.

Hi Lisa, thanks for joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

“Consulting” has become a catch‑all, often code, for repackaging the same playbook.

I do the opposite: listen first, design second.

Every team, goal, and constraint is different, so I map what already works, then build structures that bolster performance and scale with the org.

When a recent client of mine encountered growth pains that strained culture and processes, I built custom workflows, decision matrices and communication cadences that matched their reality. Change stuck because I helped ensure that leadership communicated to staff and stakeholders at every step, turning uncertainty into trust.

Cookie‑cutter fixes are like handing everyone the same pair of jeans and hoping they fit. I take the measurements first, then tailor the system.

Lisa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m the founder of L Harst Strategies, where I serve as a fractional Chief of Staff or COO for startups, nonprofits and mission‑driven orgs operating at the crossroads of growth and public impact.

My route here wasn’t linear. I trained as a classical musician, shifted to Capitol Hill handling tech, cyber, and energy policy portfolios, then moved into government affairs and management consulting. That range taught me to cut through noise, build alliances, and bring structure to chaos — skills my clients rely on today.

Just to give you an idea, in the past three years I’ve–
*Led a client through a complex merger, partnering with the CEO to align executive priorities, streamline post-merger integration, and implement systems that supported organizational growth and continuity.
*Managed boards of directors and led cross-functional initiatives, aligning leadership and staff around multi-year goals, optimizing internal communication, and driving execution on high-impact projects.
*Built and refined internal infrastructure for small businesses and nonprofits—from annual planning processes to executive reporting systems—ensuring operational clarity during periods of organizational change and growth.

I’m most proud of the trust CEOs place in me when the stakes are highest.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Adaptability is my through‑line: I was taught at a young age to never get too comfortable. By age 12 I’d lived in five states for my dad’s railroad job, learning to read rooms and build trust fast.

You’ll notice a similar pattern in my professional life where I’ve pivoted from music to public policy to strategy consulting—each move requiring a new language and rapid results.

Those shifts prove invaluable when I am thrown things like a merger: multiple boards, divergent cultures, and high public scrutiny. Because I learned to navigate ambiguity early, I create clarity for everyone else.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I show up when the pressure is on.

I’ve had people run to me and frantically say “Hey, people just walked off the job and the culture is incredibly toxic. We’re at the end of our rope– but we figured if anyone can do it, you can.” Then I come in and get to the root of the problem, strategize, and facilitate the process of change. A huge part of that process requires establishing trust.

Whether steering a founder through 300 % year‑over‑year growth or aligning bipartisan coalitions on Capitol Hill, I’m known for turning chaos into a roadmap. But it’s more than the roadmap that I use to get results. It’s taking the time to understand the leadership, the people, the nuanced dynamics. Ego checked at the door, I dig in and keep results front and center.

I have absolute certainty at the end of each client engagement that I’m leaving things better than I found them. That’s my goal.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lharst.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-b-harst/

Image Credits

Hannah Dowell Photography
OG Media Haus