Finding the Potential in Your Network (wsg Lisa Katz)

Finding the Potential in Your Network | Lisa Katz, Senior Program Officer for Economic Vitality & Entrepreneurship at the William Davidson Foundation, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss her storied career in public policy across many communities. Lisa speaks about her Top 3, including Mary Lynn Noah, who hired Lisa for her first job as a legislative assistant, Mike Gilroy, who taught her the social network theory, and Dr. Yugal Sharma, a dear friend, and biochemist, who shared in Lisa’s struggle in understanding impact. And you have to hear what she has to say about understanding your impact on the world.

About Lisa Katz

Lisa Baragar Katz is the senior program officer for Economic Vitality and Entrepreneurship at the William Davidson Foundation. Her efforts help guide the Foundation’s philanthropic investments to stimulate new business creation and job growth in Southeast Michigan and Israel.

Prior to joining William Davidson, Lisa founded and served for six years as the executive director of the Workforce Intelligence Network — WIN — a Southeast Michigan collaborative of community colleges and MichiganWorks! agencies aimed at understanding the changing economy and responding to talent needs in the region. A social entrepreneur at heart, Lisa, while at WIN, launched several initiatives, securing partners and investment to move ideas forward.

Over the course of her career, Lisa has worked with communities looking to innovate and transform their economies through a heavy focus on talent and entrepreneurship. On these topics, Lisa is a passionate speaker, writer, and strategist who relishes finding actionable solutions to tough challenges.

In 2012, Lisa was named among Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40 for her accomplishments. She has held prior roles with Corporation for a Skilled Workforce, Detroit Regional Chamber, Research Data Analysis, Public Sector Consultants and the Michigan Department of Management and Budget.  

Show Highlights

During this episode:

Seeing the world in systems [2:22]

The two lenses: wide angle & telephoto lens [3:45]

Welcoming today’s guest, Lisa Katz [6:22]

The “Top Three”

The Public Policy space & how to help communities react to change [7:15]

Mary Lynn Noah, a Michigan State University James Madison alumnus, who hired Lisa as a legislative assistant [14:55]

Mike Gilroy, who taught her the social network theory [24:20]

Dr. Yugal Sharma, a beloved friend from high school with a PhD in biophysics [37:47]

You have to hear this…

The struggle of understanding your impact on the world [44:08]

There are people at the end of the macro [46:52]

The need for humans vs. the need for automation [52:13]

Stay in touch with Lisa on LinkedIn!

Additional Information

Contact Lisa Katz:

Lisa’s LinkedIn

Contact Gregg Garrett:

Gregg’s LinkedIn Gregg’s Twitter Gregg’s Bio

Contact CGS Advisors:

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