Colorado Real Estate Journal - January 21, 2015
It’s the best of both worlds at Greenway Group for Lisa Henry. As CEO of the business consultancy that provides services to improve business performance within architecture and design firms, her role combines her two passions – business strategy and design. “There is no question about it, at Greenway I balance the best of both worlds and this is the most productive I’ve ever been,” said Henry, who was named CEO of the firm in September. “It’s an aspirational position for me. Jim Cramer (founder of Greenway) tapped me for this role because of my combined experience in business and design,” continued Henry, who started out in commodities before a second career in the design world. “I work with our clients not to design their space but to help design their business.” But before she thought about business or design as a career, Henry had a more philanthropic goal, joining the Peace Corps. Connecticut-born Henry attended Arizona State University, where she majored in agriculture business management. Following graduation Henry realized, however, she wanted to be a part of the business world. Henry began her business career as a trading adviser with Merrill Lynch in Colorado. She spent nine years with the firm before looking to feed her artistic side, specifically design. “I knew I couldn’t make a living as a painter or sculptor but I love art. Fine art is a tough way to go to earn a living. But architecture and design is a viable avenue for expressing oneself artistically and connecting to the economy.” As well, her commitment to lifelong learning made going back to school for a bachelor’s degree in interior design an easy decision. She spent nine years as director of Officescapes’ Callisto Workplace Studio, then nearly 13 years at Knoll as regional director of architecture and design prior to joining Greenway in June 2013. And it is her role at Greenway that she relishes in letting her two passions unite. “I get the opportunity to serve as a trusted adviser to architects, designers, engineers, to help them facilitate strategic plans, develop company programs and transition strategies,” said Henry. “It’s really about helping firms grow and improve performance. I believe collaboration is extremely important, a group creates better ideas than one individual,” she added. “If you want to change anything major, you have to do it with other people. Listen. Learn. Teach. Lead. It begins with an idea, a point of view and can transform a company.” It is this collaborative spirit that is essential to Henry’s work, which makes it no surprise that she believes it also is the reason for her success. “We have to step into new situations ready to learn, share ideas and reframe and accept new ways of looking at the business world,” she added, noting that incorporating strategic planning into her life has helped her throughout her career. Henry embraces the challenges of her work, the uniqueness of each client’s needs and wants, and finding an individual solution. “I love thinking about what is new and next, finding new solutions,” commented Henry. “It’s rewarding to meet smart people, new people and understand them. The best part, however, is when we leave them armed with the tools to make their firm a better place.” A lifelong learner, she is in the executive scholar’s program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and the Center for Creative Leadership. In addition to Arizona State University, she studied at Hampshire College and Interior Design Institute. Henry also is a guest lecturer for students of design at many colleges and universities. She also is a former national president of American Society of Interior Designers, a fellow of ASID and is active with the Design Futures Council, American Institute of Architects and the Denver Art Museum. Henry enjoys fly-fishing and skiing as well as racing her Porsche 911. She and her husband have been married for 25 years.