Turning uncertainty into shared direction and lasting change.

 

Sometimes the way forward begins by seeing things differently. Bringing the people closest to a challenge or opportunity together can help you build shared understanding, imagine new possibilities and decide what comes next.

For more than thirty years and across more than one thousand engagements, I’ve helped leaders and organizations navigate complex questions and find a path forward. Today, that work centers on three closely connected areas:

Building Shared Vision
Designing for Well-Being
Leading Meaningful Change

Through a collaborative process that brings together Appreciative Inquiry, Human-Centered Design, Scenario Planning, and Change Leadership, we surface deeper insights, build stronger commitment, and move with greater confidence toward a shared future.

As you explore the ideas and stories here, perhaps you’ll see a new opportunity or discover a possibility you haven’t considered. If something helps you see your way forward a little more clearly, let’s start a conversation.

Three ways we can work together

Change by design

Workshops

Workshops are an ideal format to explore solutions to specific, well-defined challenges. The best workshops include a diverse group of stakeholders. After a short introduction, participants work in pairs or small groups to quickly develop ideas and build rough prototypes. The result: innovative concepts ready for further development.

See examples
Concentrated collaboration

Retreats

Retreats provide small groups the time and structure needed for a deep dive into a compelling challenge. Working in teams, participants further define the challenge; generate multiple ideas to solve it; and prototype the most promising solutions. Specific measures of success are defined, and all group members commit to their role in realizing a way forward.

See examples
Clarity from complexity

Consulting

Consulting engagements begin by combining human-centered research and quantitative data to unpack complex challenges. Each subset of problems is addressed through a co-design process with stakeholders who help to develop and test ideas. Ultimately, the individual elements are combined into a holistic solution with a clear and measurable implementation path.

See examples

Field Notes

Observations | Ideas | Experiences

Design Thinking

The Wellness Garden Project

What makes a garden good for us? The Wellness Garden Project began with a deceptively…
Communication Strategy

Trust is Something We Build Together

A year after moving to virtual work, the Foundation of a faith-based nonprofit hospital knew…
Uncategorized

Where Nature Meets Nurture

It took more than fifty years for my life's nurture to meet its nature. I…

Events

Workshops | Retreats | Presentations

  • "Change Management Leadership Session" UCSF Healthforce Center, Los Angeles, CA September 24, 2026
  • "The Wellness Garden Project" Poster Presentation, American Horticultural Therapy Association, San Francisco, CA October 16, 2026
  • "Donor Experience Design" Workshops, University of California School of Social Ecology, Irvine, CA October 23, 2026

Because of your tremendous work, we learned an innovative process that will help us achieve the daunting goal to double funds raised in the next five years. I continue to be in awe – not only for your expertise and leadership, but also for your passion.

Pat M.Health System Chief Development Officer

Lisa is a master at complex organization, is highly intuitive when it comes to gathering and analyzing data that supports a problem, and is a highly skilled creative problem solver. She is focused, high energy and drives initiatives to success. Lisa is one of the most dynamic thinkers, creators, doers and leaders I've ever met.

Greg N.Experiential Marketing Executive

Lisa’s 'Design Thinking in Healthcare' workshop was magic. In just 1.5 hours, roundtable members were able to conceive of new approaches to further dimensionalize their healthcare offerings, and create new ideas – ready for fleshing out beyond the workshop. Best of all, the session's interactivity gave all the participants a greater opportunity to bond more closely.

Mimi G.Peer Advisory Organization President

Your passion combined with your skill and creativity have been simply amazing! Your work on such an important part of our mission – fund development – has provided us with a strategic vision in what has proved to be one of our most challenging areas.

Mark B.Nonprofit Organization Chief Financial Officer

Lisa’s design thinking course challenges students to think differently, which can be uncomfortable. But she is so gifted in scaffolding that experience to make it a safe learning environment to fail, learn, and keep practicing.

Amanda B.Vice President of Learning

Based upon feedback from donors gleaned during the donor experience workshops, we opted to establish a number of ‘labs’ in the reception area prior to dinner. This resulted in a more-than-doubling of our fundraising, to nearly $1 million, at [our organization].

Kelly B.Regional Chief Development Officer

Dr. Perrine is an innovative servant leader. Recently I had the pleasure of attending one of her workshops and it was eye-opening. I realize the tools we came away with have infinite possibilities in arenas such as fundraising and business strategy.

Margaret M.University Professor

Lisa's enthusiasm for design thinking is contagious, and quite frankly a refreshing approach to clients’ needs and the discovery of an effective solution to complicated technology projects. I highly recommend that if you are engaged with Design Thinking as an Integrator or a Client, you start your roadmap with Lisa.

John G.Director of Sales

Lisa is a strategic thinker and has the ability to organize and communicate complex issues in understandable terms. She is a competent leader and has strong ethical values. I admire her wisdom, vision and modesty and value the time I worked with her.

Judi G.Hospital Board Vice Chair

Lisa has been walking the UX and human-centered design walk for many years and is an inspirational presence on our group. Her intellect, imagination, can-do energy, experience and empathy are inspirational to me.

Greg J.Standards Steering Committee Chair

Lisa is an amazing volunteer and professional. She's a strategic thinker and motivates others to look at things that way. I am honored to have been able to work with her and now call her a friend. She's one of a kind!

Julie H.Health Foundation President

Lisa is one of those leaders who has figured out the balance between hard work and reflection, and her steady, compassionate guidance results in projects completed way ahead of schedule, above and beyond the requirements, and finished with an artist's touch.

Deborah E.Learning and Development Leader