Lise Arnett is a seasoned executive and management consultant whose career spans more than four decades across financial services, technology, public sector transformation, and the not-for-profit community. Her work is defined by a rare blend of strategic foresight, operational discipline, and a deep commitment to helping organizations evolve with confidence. Throughout her professional journey, she has guided senior leaders, complex delivery teams, and entire enterprises through periods of growth, modernization, and structural change, earning a reputation as a trusted advisor with a pragmatic, steady, and forward-looking approach.
Her career began in retail and commercial banking at Citi, where she progressed from analyst to senior manager, developing early expertise in operations, technology adoption, and process improvement. Even in the early years of her career, she gravitated toward transformation—introducing lean methods, modernizing manual processes, and strengthening operational foundations for teams navigating increasing regulatory and technological demands. This experience laid the groundwork for her future work as a transformational leader capable of balancing business realities with long-term strategic needs.
At TD Bank, Lise spent two decades as a VP, shaping and advancing large-scale initiatives across wealth management, capital markets, enterprise risk, and global operations. She led major programs involving system modernization, integration of international business units, and delivery of high-risk regulatory initiatives. Her leadership of the global Basel II compliance program exemplified her ability to navigate multi-jurisdictional complexity, collaborating with regulators across Europe, Asia, and North America to ensure enterprise alignment. Known for her clarity, structure, and capacity to drive consensus, she became a trusted operational executive during one of the bank’s most transformational eras.
Transitioning into consulting, Lise joined D+H as Senior Program Director, where she managed product portfolios and executed enterprise programs that elevated the firm’s competitive positioning in financial technology. Her work strengthened product lines, accelerated development cycles, and bridged the gap between business needs and technical capabilities. This period further expanded her influence as a leader who could design the future while managing the present, ensuring that strategies were grounded in executional reality.
Lise’s tenure at CGI marked a significant chapter in her career as she moved into the role of Vice President of Consulting Services, supporting public sector organizations across Ontario and the Government of Canada. There, she provided strategy, governance, delivery leadership, and executive advisory services for some of the country’s most ambitious modernization programs. Whether developing transformation roadmaps, guiding executive sponsors, or coaching delivery teams, she consistently brought structure, transparency, and a balanced perspective that empowered organizations to deliver meaningful citizen-centred outcomes. Her contributions in agile and lean coaching also helped advance cultural shifts within large program environments, enabling teams to embrace new methods with confidence.
As Principal of L A Consults, Lise continues to provide high-impact advisory services to clients seeking clarity, modernization, and sustainable growth. Her consulting work spans strategic planning, business optimization, program governance, digital transformation, and organizational change. She helps clients understand where they are, envision where they need to go, and design the pathway to reach that destination. Whether advising on national service modernization initiatives, multimillion-dollar platform replacements, global expansion efforts, or compliance programs, she approaches each mandate with a focus on measurable outcomes and long-term organizational health.
Beyond her corporate accomplishments, Lise has played an influential role in strengthening not-for-profit organizations and community institutions. She has served as Treasurer, Board Member, Committee Chair, and Advisor for multiple foundations and service organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, the Georgian Bay Club Foundation, AIDS Committee of Toronto, and the Hospice Georgian Triangle Foundation. Her governance, financial stewardship, and modernization capabilities have helped these organizations build capacity, enhance community impact, and adopt technology solutions that support evolving operational needs.
Lise’s international experience—including significant assignments in the UK and Europe—contributes to her global perspective and ability to lead in culturally diverse and highly regulated environments. Her fluency in both English and French enables her to connect meaningfully across teams and stakeholders, further strengthening her effectiveness in collaborative, cross-border initiatives.
Her extensive education and certifications reinforce her lifelong dedication to continuous professional development. She has earned the Project Management Professional designation, Prosci ADKAR Change Management certification, multiple Scrum and SAFe credentials, and completed the Council of Canadian Innovators’ Innovation Governance Program. These achievements reflect her commitment not only to best practices, but to modern governance, emerging methodologies, and the evolving expectations of boards and executive teams.
Outside of her professional life, Lise brings the same thoughtfulness and curiosity to her personal pursuits. She is an avid reader, golfer, and passionate knitter—interests that reflect her appreciation for both discipline and creativity. Rooted in community and guided by values of service, accountability, and meaningful progress, she continues to support organizations that share a mission of improving lives and strengthening the fabric of their communities.
Today, Lise is actively seeking opportunities to serve on corporate boards, particularly with innovative, growth-oriented organizations transitioning into more mature operational and governance models. With more than 45 years of experience advising senior leaders, modernizing operations, and navigating high-stakes transformation, she brings a uniquely valuable perspective to the boardroom. Her combination of strategic insight, operational expertise, governance understanding, and seasoned judgment makes her an exceptional candidate for organizations seeking guidance, stability, and forward momentum.
Character:
Lise is known for her integrity, steadiness, and unwavering commitment to doing what is right for the organization and its people. She approaches complex challenges with humility and resilience, ensuring that decisions are grounded in fairness and transparency. Her leadership style is rooted in trust, empathy, and a genuine desire to help others succeed.
Knowledge:
With more than four decades of experience across banking, consulting, public sector transformation, and not-for-profit governance, Lise brings unmatched depth and breadth of expertise. She has led global regulatory initiatives, multimillion-dollar programs, strategic transformations, and international expansion efforts. Her knowledge extends across operations, technology, governance, and organizational change, enabling her to advise with precision and insight.
Strategic:
Lise excels at seeing both the big picture and the operational detail required to achieve it. She guides organizations in defining their future state, aligning stakeholders, and translating strategy into actionable, measurable roadmaps. Her strategic thinking consistently helps organizations modernize, innovate, and position themselves for long-term success.
Communication:
Clear, direct, and thoughtful communication is a hallmark of Lise’s leadership. She is adept at bridging the language of business and technology, enabling diverse teams to work toward common goals with shared understanding. Whether advising executives, coaching delivery teams, or speaking at conferences, she communicates with purpose, clarity, and authenticity.
