Lisa A. Cohen, CEO and Principal
Lisa is an executive and entrepreneur with multiple decades of leadership, operating, and advisory experience in both the financial services and nonprofit sectors.
Lisa’s executive and advisory roles in the financial services industry include John Hancock, Evergreen Investments (now part of Wells Fargo), LPL, AARP, LifeLock, and other big brands, and a number of boutique investment and financial services firms. Lisa has a track record of successfully developing, bringing to market, and growing financial products and solutions in partnership with financial and wealth advisors.
In her current role, Lisa provides advisory services to C-level leaders of charitable nonprofits focusing on strategic planning, market research, and bespoke board/leadership solutions and provides independent research and analysis of financial products for people with disabilities.
“I believe that “repair of the world” is a human obligation. I have long been committed to the principles of using capital to effect positive change. Today, I am passionately engaged in the work of building financial products and solutions that meet the financial planning needs of people with disabilities and those who care for them.
Lisa’s far-sighted thinking, analytical skills, and thoughtful candor and judgment distinguish her as an executive. Lisa is a published author (WealthBuilding) and industry opinion columnist (Fund House, WealthManagement.com) and is a skilled manager of board and leadership dynamics.
Lisa’s experience includes P&L management, strategic partnership development, market research, strategy, project management & tactical implementation, product development, marketing, sales, and managing distributed organizations.
Lisa’s demonstrated commitment to impact includes signing the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment and founding the Special Needs Financial Services Institute, which provides much-needed transparency and visibility into financial products for people with disabilities and the organizations that provide them. SNFSi’s services include market intelligence and pooled special needs trust provider profiles and ratings.
Lisa received her BA from Smith College and is an alumna of Harvard University’s Executive program on Investment Decisions and Behavioral Finance.
Lisa’s board work includes serving as Treasurer of the nonprofit Cause Fund, as past president of both the Boston Smith College Club and Boston Women Communicators, as a founding board member of the historic Dwight-Derby House Board of Directors, as a member of the Advisory Board of investment firm Wellesley Investment Partners, and as a member of her community’s Historical Commission.
