Lisa Lawrence — Director

Lisa Lawrence is a seasoned marketing executive with over 20 years of leadership experience across renowned organizations, including Darden Restaurants, 4 Rivers Smokehouse, Tavistock and Accenture. Known for her strategic vision and exceptional ability to translate insights into impactful marketing strategies, Lisa has driven growth and innovation in the restaurant, hospitality, and consumer goods industries.

Lisa’s expertise spans brand management, community relations, product development, and team leadership. As the Director of Marketing & Community Relations at 4 Rivers Smokehouse, she led strategic marketing initiatives, including product expansions into major retailers like Costco and Amazon, while fostering strong team development and agency collaboration.

At Darden Restaurants, Lisa held several pivotal roles, shaping brand strategies for celebrated fine dining concepts such as Seasons 52 and The Capital Grille, as well as popular casual dining favorites including the Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Longhorn Steakhouse. Her leadership extended to advertising, product development, menu strategy, and consumer insights, delivering measurable business results and enhancing guest experiences.

Lisa also dedicates her time to service and community leadership. She is a licensed real estate sales professional in the state of Florida and serves as a board member of the Winter Park High School Foundation, the Foundation for Foster Children and the Lochaven Chain of Lakes Advisory Board. Her contributions extend to Orange County Public Schools as a dedicated substitute teacher and volunteer, as well as her involvement in philanthropic initiatives including the Victory Cup Initiative, Young Life, Crave Orlando and the Central Florida YMCA.

Lisa holds an MBA in Strategy, Marketing, and Organizational Design from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Spanish from the University of Virginia. A dynamic leader and storyteller, she combines creativity, analytical rigor, and operational excellence with a deep commitment to personal and community growth.