Lisa Penn ─ the ultimate transformational and change management leader...
March 8, 2021• 3 Minute Read
Lisa Penn
Chief of Staff, Global Channel Marketing
SAP
Are you looking for someone who is driven by innovation, change management, and is always thinking about what’s next for their company and their global partner network? We know the person—Lisa Penn!
Lisa is currently the chief of staff for SAP’s global partner marketing organization. She is responsible for global operations and partner transformation through skills, business models and platforms in the digital economy. She passionately believes change is mandatory and must be done well to drive success. She is a believer in the power of people and never underestimates how people are a key success factor.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™—Lisa Penn!
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
I sing. In my earlier days, I sang solos in plays. At one play, my parents were in the audience and my mom started crying when she heard my voice. Before my mother was married, she was a jazz singer in a band. Singing runs in the family!
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
I am a long-term digital road warrior crossing multiple time zones every day.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
I attended a twelve-course meal in Japan where they served blow fish. It is a delicacy, but can be deadly if it is prepared in correctly…
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
A really amazing experience was both a teaching and education experience. About 12 years ago, Avaya offered a social media training at no cost to people. We provided them with education, as well as tools to help them set-up their social media capabilities immediately following our course. It was an incredible experience to see people get to the next level as a result of giving them something actionable.
For a failure, I learned the hard way that driving goals that are not aligned with executives’ goals can create challenges. When you are supporting stakeholders, you MUST understand their goals to ensure your success.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
TC Schuler-Dale was my mentor. I worked and learned from her for many years. She helped me understand I was capable of anything I wanted to do in business and to be a change agent, which has defined my career.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
You don’t have to work 80 hours a week to be successful. Your life outside of work is just as important, if not more important than work.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
My job includes coaching people on how to plan and grow their career. I’ve had the honor of supporting interns as well as early leaders. I love this part of my job!
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
I chair a diversity and inclusion advisory council at SAP. This is the time to bring in awareness, knowledge and skill and how to make a sustainable impact.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
The power of digital marketing continue to be top of mind for me. This is not just for SAP’s business, but also how we can help our partners use it impactfully in their businesses.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
Achieving our business targets in this new-normal environment, driving digital transformation, and ensuring our employees are healthy, happy and motivated to succeed.
