Lisa Green: I am the Gabelli School

Profiles | Jan 22, 2021 | Gabelli School of Business

“I am the Gabelli School” celebrates the people, moments, and events that provide us with pride and joy. Twice a month, we will feature a brief Q&A with a different member of the Gabelli School community, speaking in their own words about what the school means to them.

For more than 30 years, Lisa Green has held various roles at the Gabelli School. She traveled the world with our EMBA students for more than 12 years, and since 2014 she has served as the core curriculum manager for the Integrated Core Program.

Where are you from, and how did you initially join the Gabelli School?

I am born and raised in The Bronx and when I went looking for a position, I applied to work at Fordham University Rose Hill Campus, in part because I lived about 10 minutes always, and in part to continue my college experience. Working here all these years has been a great experience. I’ve actually worked at four different Fordham locations – the former Tarrytown campus, Westchester, Lincoln Center and, since 2014, Rose Hill.

What are the first three words that come to mind when you think about the Gabelli School?

Teamwork, versatility, and community.

Which aspect of Gabelli School mission resonates with you the most?

Our push to use innovative business approaches is relevant in the Consulting Challenge IP. The students work hard to become innovators in research and to come up with socially innovative ideas for the companies – some of which come to reality.

Has there been a particular moment when you felt most proud to be a part of the Gabelli School?

I manage over 600 sophomores at both campuses who are enrolled in the Consulting Challenge IP course. Every year at the end of the course, the top teams present their plans and compete against one another in the Consulting Cup in front of 500 students, faculty members, and guests. The growth they display in their oral presentations and in the research they do is amazing. Many times, they face the fear of presenting.

I remember one presentation when a student had such stage fright that she found it hard to continue. Her teammates locked arms with her and encouraged her to go on – she did, and when she was finished, she received such a loud cheer from the hundreds of her classmates who were watching. I’ve seen consistent determination in these events, and that always amazes me.

We often talk about cura personalis as an approach that lets us bring our whole self to whatever we do. Which of your own personal traits or interests have benefited the work you do?

Everyone always says that I have great patience when dealing with many different stakeholders, since I have been here a long time. I believe people appreciate my knowledge about the history of the various departments throughout the university.

Any reading/podcast/media recommendations for us? 

I am a huge Stephen King fan, but during the pandemic I have switched gears a bit. I am currently reading Barack Obama’s biography, A Promised Land, which gives a very interesting perspective about his experiences leading up to the presidency.