About Me

Lisa Kay Phillipson

Hello and Welcome!

I am a firm believer that most people are good, and I hold loyalty close to my heart — to my career, my community, and the people I care about.

I’ve spent my entire life in the Metro East, just outside of St. Louis, with a lifelong love for the St. Louis Cardinals.

But my path here wasn’t an easy one.

At nine years old, I lost my beautiful 28-year-old mother to cancer. With my father not involved, my younger brother and I were raised by our mother until her passing, and then cared for by a network of loving family and friends before eventually settling with our grandparents. By that time, I had already attended nine different schools and moved more times than I can remember.

No matter how often life changed around us, one thing never did — I was always loved. That steady sense of love, even in uncertain times, became the foundation that carried me through and shaped who I am today.

Each transition, each classroom, and each person I encountered offered lessons in resilience, adaptability, and compassion. Those experiences shaped what I now call my “survival gift”—the ability to truly see people, understand them deeply, and believe that most people are inherently good.

That perspective continues to guide my work today. Whether supporting individuals, teams, or organizations, I bring a deep understanding of people, a respect for their journeys, and a belief in their capacity to grow, connect, and thrive.

My leadership journey began humbly — as a crew leader at McDonald’s, where I proudly graduated from Hamburger University. I later earned my degree in Communication from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, building on my passion for connecting with and understanding others.

From there, my career has taken me across fields where compassion and leadership intersect — from working with children with speech disorders in the St. Louis Public Schools, to serving as Executive Director of Easter Seals Southwestern Illinois, supporting individuals with disabilities of all ages. Since 2003, I’ve served as Community and Education Director at Hospice of Southern Illinois, where I’ve been honored to walk alongside families during some of the most meaningful and tender moments of life.

In recent years, I launched Positively Speaking with Lisa.

This is a platform where I share the triumphs, challenges, and lessons I’ve learned throughout my leadership journey. I speak from experience on topics like authentic leadership, building trust, self-awareness, and the power of inclusion — because I believe these aren’t just workplace skills, they are life skills.

To me, authentic leadership means leading with transparency, integrity, and heart — creating space for open conversation, inviting input, and reflecting on how our experiences shape the way we lead.

It’s about building confidence without chasing perfection and earning trust by showing up as your genuine self.

One truth I hold close is this: When people feel included, they show up as the best version of themselves.

We won’t connect with everyone — and not everyone will connect with us — but that is never an excuse to fall short of being a good human, a respectful professional, or a compassionate leader.

Working in hospice care since 2003 has taught me the most important lesson of all — “this life we are leading is not a dress rehearsal”. Every day is an opportunity to show up fully, love deeply, and make a difference. My hope is to inspire others to be their best — for the people around them, and just as importantly, for themselves.

Lisa Kay Phillipson

Hello and Welcome!

But my path here wasn’t an easy one.

In recent years, I launched Positively Speaking with Lisa.

One truth I hold close is this: When people feel included, they show up as the best version of themselves.

“People will likely forget what you said and what you did, but they will not forget how you made them feel.”

– Maya Angelou