Meet Lisa Flynn

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lisa Flynn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lisa , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I believe resilience is like a muscle—the more you work it, the stronger it gets. That’s a simple idea to say out loud, but living it? That takes fire. Resilience is forged in uncertainty, loss, reinvention. It’s not just about grit—it’s also about optimism, adaptability, and the ability to focus on the larger goal rather than the momentary discomfort.

In Finland, where I’m completing my PhD, there’s a word: Sisu. It doesn’t have a direct English translation, but it perfectly describes that quiet, determined strength required to keep going when most would stop. Sisu isn’t loud. It’s steady. It’s what got me through one of the most transformative periods of my life.

Just before the pandemic, I had successfully completed a turnaround for a social impact e-commerce company that connected U.S. consumers with ethically sourced goods made by women in India. I was deep into planning the next phase—fortifying the supply chain in India—when the world shut down. Borders closed. Travel was unsafe. In a moment, the work I had poured everything into was no longer viable.

At that crossroads, I didn’t just pivot the project—I pivoted my life. With the guidance of my coach, Jeannie Coyle, I took a hard look at the market, at the future of tech, and—most importantly—at myself. I had spent decades as a tech entrepreneur and executive in high-growth environments. But I saw what was coming: AI was going to reshape everything—policy, regulation, systems—and I wanted to be better prepared to shape it for good.

So I went back to school. I earned a master’s degree in Management Information Systems, specializing in cybersecurity and generative AI. Then I kept going. I was recruited by a top engineering school in Finland to pursue a PhD in Information Processing Science, and without ever stepping foot in the country, I moved to Oulu and started again.

My research now focuses on how we can responsibly integrate AI into education—especially in high-stakes, resource-constrained environments. I’ve created AI Agents to train surgeons in low- and middle-income countries and developed AI-driven tools for cybersecurity education. These are mission-critical industries that rely on human judgment, yet face massive workforce shortages. AI, when applied responsibly, can help close those gaps.

Resilience, to me, is not about avoiding hardship—it’s about meeting it with clarity, strategy, and heart. It’s about staying rooted in purpose, holding your intentions lightly, and building the mindset, routines, and community that can carry you through the unknown. That’s the kind of resilience I’ve built—not by choice, but by necessity. And I’m grateful for it every day.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I specialize in harnessing the intersection of human systems, artificial intelligence, and technology to drive innovation in business models, workforce development, and organizational transformation. Whether it’s launching startups, building AI agents for cybersecurity and surgical education, or leading global research collaborations, my work is grounded in designing systems that work for humans—not just in theory, but under real-world pressure.

Right now, I’m wrapping up my PhD in Finland, where my research focuses on hybrid intelligence—how humans and AI can work together to solve critical problems in education, healthcare, and security. I’ve developed AI Agents for surgical training in low-resource settings and cybersecurity education tools that prepare learners for high-stakes environments. The results have been incredibly encouraging.

What excites me most is that we already have the tools to solve many of our global challenges. What we need now are visionary, compassionate leaders who understand how to bridge technology with humanity—leaders who can guide teams through complexity and build socio-technical solutions that actually work. I believe we’re at a fork in the road, and the right leadership can make all the difference.

I’m proud to share that I’m completing this academic chapter and preparing to return to the United States. I’m bringing with me not only my research and global perspective, but a renewed commitment to transformational leadership and systems thinking. The current climate may feel volatile, but I see a once-in-a-generation opportunity for change—and I’m ready to be part of the team that makes it count.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three most impactful traits in my journey have been resilience, curiosity, and collaboration. These have guided me through every twist—whether leading a startup, transitioning into academia, or launching global AI initiatives.

Resilience helps you stay the course when things get hard. But it’s curiosity that keeps you moving forward, asking better questions, and unlocking new doors. And collaboration is where real momentum is built—I’ve never seen meaningful innovation happen in isolation.

What’s helped me the most is a combination of systems thinking, strategic vision, and creativity, all wrapped in a deeply collaborative mindset. I’ve developed two frameworks—Holistic Operational Planning (HOP) and Strategic Collective Implementation Planning (SCIP)—to help teams get unstuck. I often facilitate workshops that produce both clarity and action. When people co-create a plan they believe in, they’ll follow through—even when conditions are tough.

If you’re early in your journey, my advice is simple:
Stay curious. Listen to your gut.
Find a coach, mentor, or sponsor who sees not just who you are now, but who you could become in the right environment.
And most importantly—believe it’s possible. Take calculated risks. Draw strength from your community. Passion is what will carry you when everything else is uncertain.

We need more people willing to lead through complexity—not by knowing all the answers, but by asking the right questions and being brave enough to follow them.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely. I’m at a point in my journey where the research is solid, the frameworks are tested, and I’m ready to build with people who aren’t afraid to think big and move fast—with purpose.

I’m looking to partner with organizations, founders, policymakers, educators, and operators who are navigating complex systems and want someone who can help them cut through the noise. Whether you’re launching an AI initiative, rethinking your cybersecurity strategy, or trying to move a team from stuck to scaling—I bring clarity, direction, and momentum.

If you need someone who can operate in both strategic and technical domains—someone who’s as comfortable briefing executives as they are designing hybrid intelligence systems—let’s talk.

I’m especially interested in:

– Consulting on AI, security, and workforce transformation projects
– Collaborating on research or cross-sector innovation efforts
– Facilitating workshops that align teams and kickstart meaningful change
– Delivering keynotes or talks that spark innovative and strategic conversations

If you’re building the future and looking for someone who brings systems thinking, a global perspective, and a bias for action—reach out. You can connect with me on LinkedIn or at lisaflynnphdc.com.

Let’s make bold moves together. The world is ready.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lisaflynnphdc.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaflynncatalyst/

Image Credits

ITWeb Security Summit, UNLV, DefCon, ConnectCon