Lisa Thompson

MBA, PCC, CMQ/OE

Lisa Thompson is the founder of Guiderail Coaching & Consulting, LLC, a professional services firm specializing in executive leadership and management coaching with an emphasis on career strategy. As a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Lisa has demonstrated knowledge and skill in the application of the ICF Core Competencies and Code of Ethics. Lisa is also considered a thought leader in the interpersonal and communication aspects of leadership, management, and organizations, providing strategic consulting as an alternative to the coaching methodology.

Before shifting her work full-time to Guiderail Coaching & Consulting, Lisa managed programs in Marketing Communications and Customer Education & Training for GE Healthcare. Additionally, Lisa held positions within Ascension, a private healthcare system, at both the corporate business office and a specialty clinic. Through her prior career experiences, Lisa realized that there needed to be a shift in the culture of leadership — emphasizing a change to building a stronger foundation for supporting employee growth and effective, cohesive teams. Lisa is passionate about strategizing the long-term development of an organization through talent management, leadership identification, and succession planning.

An alumna of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). She is also in the final stretch of completing a second Master’s degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations. Lisa is a Certified Professional Coach, having completed 150 hours of coach training at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Certified Professional Coach Program (UWCPC), an ICF Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP). Lisa has also earned a certificate in Project Management via Coursera and is a Certified Quality Manager/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) with the American Society for Quality (ASQ).

Lisa is dedicated to supporting a healthy planet and reducing negative environmental impacts. As a 1% for the Planet Member, Guiderail Coaching & Consulting is committed to corporate philanthropy, donating 1% of total sales on an annual basis to environmental non-profits. As of January 2024, the total lifetime giving to its environmental partners is $2030. Lisa also offers pro-bono coaching to mission-aligned organizations to support a better, more sustainable future.

Lisa lives in Madison, WI. Outside of the office, she enjoys weekly trips to the Dane County Farmers’ Market (the largest producer-only farmers’ market in the U.S.), attempting to play the ukulele, and reading as much as possible. Lisa has also recently leaned into the amazing bicycling culture of the city. On weekends, you can find her exploring new parks and trails on the way to get pizza and ice cream!