Humans are built for stories—including the ones at work.

smiling woman with dark hair and black shirt looking to the side

I teach savvy professionals how to brave up and tell stories that persuade the audiences who matter most.

Official Bio

Lisa Kagan coaches clients to amplify their work, make data relatable, and spark the stories that compel audiences to action. Her modular workshops map the steps to build team cohesion and commit to big plans. She has been a policy and communications consultant for clients in government, higher education, philanthropy, social services, housing development, banking, healthcare, tech, and more. Lisa specializes in C-Suite presentations and brand storytelling. She shares insights and anecdotes on her site lisakagan.com.

Here’s anonymous feedback about my crash courses

  • “With Lisa, people feel energized, engaged, understood, and valuable.”

  • “Lisa brings a sense of humor and lightness. We’re tricked into doing work!”

  • “The insights, materials & your speeches were super helpful & entertaining.”

  • "The exercises are challenging in that they push people outside of their comfort zone and that is a good thing!"

  • “Now I know how to tell a story and make it believable. Very powerful.”

  • “You taught an old dog a few new tricks.”

  • "Awesome energy and positivity while also giving specific feedback and tips."

  • "I liked how the [courses] were organized—a bit at a time so we could digest...a good balance of presentation and testing our interpretation.“

Clients by Industry

Whatever it takes. Over the years, these colleagues and clients requested a variety of my offerings (e.g., research, communications analysis, planning, positioning, messaging, storytelling, employee engagement, etc.).
Wherever we need it. At times I’ve worked in the foreground as the leader of strategy and experiences and at others in the background contributing to a cross-functional team.

    • Capitol Hill Arts District (multi-organization art collective)

    • Foss Waterway Seaport (museum)

    • Icicle Creek Center for the Arts (arts and education)

    • Pacific Bonsai Museum (living art)

    • Boston Consulting Group (consulting)

    • Google (technology)

    • Home Street Bank (banking)

    • Microsoft (technology)

    • Northwest Credit Union Association (banking)

    • PACCAR (global trucking)

    • T-Mobile (telecommunications)

    • Historic Seattle (architectural preservation)

    • Hood Canal Coordinating Council (conservation)

    • Seattle Parks and Recreation (parks improvements)

    • Seattle Public Utilities (composting)

    • UW College of the Environment (higher education)

    • Washington Farmland Trust (farm preservation/stewardship)

    • Business Partnership for Early Learning (early learning investment)

    • Child Care Resources (child care information)

    • I-LABS, University of Washington (brain development)

    • Kindering Center (early intervention)

    • King County Housing Authority (education services)

    • Knowledge Universe (child care)

    • School’s Out Washington (out of school time)

    • Washington State Department of Early Learning—Early Achievers (quality standards)

    • Building Resilience Initiative (pooled grantmaking)

    • The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (international grantmaking)

    • The Seattle Foundation (community grantmaking)

    • The Russell Family Foundation (grantmaking)

    • United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (grantmaking and advocacy)

    • City of Seattle

    • Washington State Department of Early Learning

    • Washington State Health Care Authority

    • Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

    • Washington State Legislature (graduate practicum)

    • Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (legislative advocacy)

    • California Improvement Network, California HealthCare Foundation (variations in care)

    • Comprehensive Health Education Foundation/Healthy Gen (health equity)

    • Disclosure and Resolution Program, University of Washington (disclosure)

    • PATH (global health)

    • Premera (health insurance)

    • Seagen (cancer care)

    • Washington State Health Care Authority (health coverage)

    • Completion by Design (higher education strategy)

    • University of Puget Sound, One [of a Kind] Campaign (fundraising)

    • University of Washington, College of the Environment (communications and marketing)

    • Washington Education Foundation, Independent Student Services (assessment)

    • Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (scholarship communications)

    • Beacon Development Group (housing development)

    • Building Changes (housing funding and provider assistance)

    • King County Family Homelessness Initiative (housing funding)

    • King County Housing Authority (rental housing and assistance)

    • United Way of King County (youth homelessness)

    • City of Seattle Human Services Department (hunger and food delivery)

    • Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (domestic violence)

    • Friends of the Children (mentorship)

    • Models for Change (juvenile justice)

    • Oregon Department of Human Services (self-sufficiency programs)

    • Thrive Napa Valley (community dialogue)

    • TriMet (public transportation)

    • Washington Nonprofits (nonprofits)

    • YMCA of the USA (community service)