Our July member of the month is Lisa Alvarez-Calderón, the founder of Shine Consulting. Learn how Lisa 'shines' with her work and time at Chincoteague.
Q&A with Lisa Alvarez-Calderón
Q. Tell us about your background and where you currently work.
I was born in Michigan and raised in Connecticut by my American mother and Peruvian father, which shaped my identity as a global citizen of the world who thrives in an inclusive, multicultural context. After studying political science at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut I built a global career in strategic human resources and organization development, primarily with large multi-national organizations. I spent 10 years in the insurance industry focusing on strategic talent management and business partnership, another 18 in the pharmaceutical industry including living and working in Singapore as Regional HRVP of Asia Pacific for Johnson & Johnson, and 4 years living and working in Chile as HRVP for BHP, one of the world's largest mining companies. I then had the privilege to serve as Chief HR Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation during the pandemic. In 2023 I decided to launch an independent executive coaching and leadership advisory practice called Shine Consulting. It has been thrilling to apply my global leadership experience working with executives to help them achieve their individual and organizational potential.
Q. How long have you been an IWF member?
I joined IWF Washington State in January 2021. When my husband and I moved from Seattle back to the east coast, I transferred my membership to the IWF-DC Forum. We now live in Chincoteague, Virginia, which is my family's happy place.
Q. How has your career benefited from being an IWF member?
I cherish the network that IWF has afforded me. As a newcomer to Seattle 4 years ago, IWF-WA served as a vital source of executive women peers, many of whom became close friends. I have attended 4 global IWF conferences since joining (Las Vegas, Detroit, New York and Seattle) and find them so stimulating. Now I am looking forward to connecting with my new friends and colleagues in the IWF-DC forum. Even though I live 3 hours away on the eastern shore, I look forward to seeing you at DC and global events.
Q. What excites you the most right now?
Having the freedom to focus my professional energy on leadership development and organizational culture-building. As the world becomes increasingly complex, we humans are continuing to search for how we can create meaning for ourselves and impact for our people and organizations. We need visionary, insightful, centered, humble and engaging
leaders more than ever, and I can see the impact that I am able to have in this space.
Q. What are you reading or listening to?
I just started reading Dancing in the Dash: My Story of Empowerment, Diplomacy, and Resilience, written by our IWF-DC friend Lauri Fitz-Pegado. This reading is in preparation for the IWF Book Club meeting Lauri is hosting at her home on Kent Island in early September!
Q. Any tips or advice for new members?
Jump into the IWF network! IWF offers so many wonderful opportunities to meet new people, learn about strategic topics of import, and connect with executive women leaders across the globe. I would encourage new members to attend at least 1 global conference and 2 local events in person, to generate connectivity with IWF.
Q. What do you like most about being a member?
IWF is available to me however I choose to use it. I love the caliber of women, I love the programming, and I also love the welcoming informality of nearly all of our members around the world. Especially since becoming an independent executive coach, IWF has offered the gift of community.
Q. Who/what inspires you?
I am inspired by authentic, humble, introspective, AND audacious leaders. Melinda Gates is one of the leaders who continues to inspire me in this way- I just finished her book called The Next Day and was inspired by her candid reflections of some truly challenging transitions.
Q. Do you have any hobbies?
I am dedicated to completing the New York Times Crossword, Wordle, Connections, and Strands word puzzles Every. Single. Day.
Q. What are your favorite places traveled?
Very hard to pick! For archeological human history I would have to say Siem Reap in Cambodia. For natural beauty and road tripping it is a tie between Chilean Patagonia, the south Island of New Zealand, and northern Arizona/the Grand Canyon.
Q. What do you hope to accomplish before the end of 2025?
I hope to attend two in-person events offered by IWF-DC!
Q&A with Lisa Alvarez-Calderón
Q. Tell us about your background and where you currently work.
I was born in Michigan and raised in Connecticut by my American mother and Peruvian father, which shaped my identity as a global citizen of the world who thrives in an inclusive, multicultural context. After studying political science at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut I built a global career in strategic human resources and organization development, primarily with large multi-national organizations. I spent 10 years in the insurance industry focusing on strategic talent management and business partnership, another 18 in the pharmaceutical industry including living and working in Singapore as Regional HRVP of Asia Pacific for Johnson & Johnson, and 4 years living and working in Chile as HRVP for BHP, one of the world's largest mining companies. I then had the privilege to serve as Chief HR Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation during the pandemic. In 2023 I decided to launch an independent executive coaching and leadership advisory practice called Shine Consulting. It has been thrilling to apply my global leadership experience working with executives to help them achieve their individual and organizational potential.
Q. How long have you been an IWF member?
I joined IWF Washington State in January 2021. When my husband and I moved from Seattle back to the east coast, I transferred my membership to the IWF-DC Forum. We now live in Chincoteague, Virginia, which is my family's happy place.
Q. How has your career benefited from being an IWF member?
I cherish the network that IWF has afforded me. As a newcomer to Seattle 4 years ago, IWF-WA served as a vital source of executive women peers, many of whom became close friends. I have attended 4 global IWF conferences since joining (Las Vegas, Detroit, New York and Seattle) and find them so stimulating. Now I am looking forward to connecting with my new friends and colleagues in the IWF-DC forum. Even though I live 3 hours away on the eastern shore, I look forward to seeing you at DC and global events.
Q. What excites you the most right now?
Having the freedom to focus my professional energy on leadership development and organizational culture-building. As the world becomes increasingly complex, we humans are continuing to search for how we can create meaning for ourselves and impact for our people and organizations. We need visionary, insightful, centered, humble and engaging
leaders more than ever, and I can see the impact that I am able to have in this space.
Q. What are you reading or listening to?
I just started reading Dancing in the Dash: My Story of Empowerment, Diplomacy, and Resilience, written by our IWF-DC friend Lauri Fitz-Pegado. This reading is in preparation for the IWF Book Club meeting Lauri is hosting at her home on Kent Island in early September!
Q. Any tips or advice for new members?
Jump into the IWF network! IWF offers so many wonderful opportunities to meet new people, learn about strategic topics of import, and connect with executive women leaders across the globe. I would encourage new members to attend at least 1 global conference and 2 local events in person, to generate connectivity with IWF.
Q. What do you like most about being a member?
IWF is available to me however I choose to use it. I love the caliber of women, I love the programming, and I also love the welcoming informality of nearly all of our members around the world. Especially since becoming an independent executive coach, IWF has offered the gift of community.
Q. Who/what inspires you?
I am inspired by authentic, humble, introspective, AND audacious leaders. Melinda Gates is one of the leaders who continues to inspire me in this way- I just finished her book called The Next Day and was inspired by her candid reflections of some truly challenging transitions.
Q. Do you have any hobbies?
I am dedicated to completing the New York Times Crossword, Wordle, Connections, and Strands word puzzles Every. Single. Day.
Q. What are your favorite places traveled?
Very hard to pick! For archeological human history I would have to say Siem Reap in Cambodia. For natural beauty and road tripping it is a tie between Chilean Patagonia, the south Island of New Zealand, and northern Arizona/the Grand Canyon.
Q. What do you hope to accomplish before the end of 2025?
I hope to attend two in-person events offered by IWF-DC!