Lysa Stewart

Lysa Stewart is a partner and joined RHR in 2007. She facilitates client decisions for the selection and promotion of executives, particularly those for CEO succession; supervises the integration process to ensure a smooth transition and retention; and works with individual executives on leadership development for their long-term success. She also leads the firm’s Objective Testing Center of Excellence, overseeing RHR’s use of leadership-assessment instruments.

Lysa brings more than 25 years of in-depth executive assessment and development expertise. Respect and understanding are two values central to Lysa’s work. She is known for her expert ability to be honest with people in an empathetic manner—being committed to their success includes being direct about their strengths and opportunities for growth, and she conducts those conversations with warmth and candor. Under her leadership and guidance, RHR implemented the Hogan assessment as part of its testing practice, providing senior executives and teams with insights into patterns and behaviors that shape the way they work. Lysa not only oversees and facilitates those tests but also acts as a mentor to her colleagues, providing expert interpretation to heighten their knowledge and deliver the highest possible impact to their clients.

Prior to joining RHR, Lysa worked in the medical field in Kaiser’s organizational-development department, helping physicians become more resilient and effective leaders. She also taught graduate-level courses on organizational behavior and the psychological principles of effective management at the University of Southern California before cofounding her own management-consulting firm, Assessment Solutions. Lysa earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas and a PhD in counseling psychology with a specialization in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of North Texas. She is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Outside work, Lysa can usually be found enjoying the Southern California sunshine, either at the beach or in the mountains. She enjoys spending quality time with her family and also playing pickleball, taking walks along Dana Point Harbor, and bringing her competitive spirit to a good game of blackjack.

Lisa believes that leaders are uniquely positioned to positively impact society through their roles in organizations. To this end, she uses assessment and her deep understanding of human and organizational behavior to help leaders optimize their strengths, increase awareness of their derailers and blind spots, and magnify their organizational impact. This includes recognizing how each leader’s position can be used to create more inclusive and safe cultures where all organizational members can flourish. While she has a calm and supportive manner, Lisa offers the type of candid feedback and accountability that enables individuals to achieve meaningful breakthroughs in their career and personal lives.

She is especially effective when working with individuals who know they are not reaching their full potential professionally. Lisa partners with leaders to increase insight and identify what may be holding them back and uses evidence-based tools to provide clear and specific support to help them achieve greater success.

Lisa holds a PhD and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of Florida. She also earned a master’s degree in education from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree from McGill University. She is a member of the International Coaching Federation.

Born in Jamaica and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Lisa has spent most of her adult life in the U.S. and now lives on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Some of her hobbies include cycling, painting, reading, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. She is also an avid baker and lover of all things delicious.