Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa L. Baker.
Hi Lisa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My path to executive coaching and entrepreneurship wasn’t linear. It was a series of pivots guided by purpose and leaps of faith.
After more than two decades in high-impact leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies like Citigroup, Microsoft, and Synchrony, I made a bold decision in 2021: I took a voluntary severance package without a concrete plan for what was next. I didn’t know exactly what I would do, but I knew I was being called to something more aligned with my purpose, more focused on developing leaders and making it easier for them to succeed.
The truth is, too many leaders were facing a problem I’d already navigated. They were skilled and successful on paper—and still weighed down by invisible barriers: microaggressions, imposter syndrome, fear. I’d been there, operating in high-stakes environments, wearing masks of confidence while silently questioning whether I belonged.
So I founded Ascentim—a coaching and leadership development firm built to help high-achieving professionals grow with less grind, lead boldly, and live fully. I created it for the executive who walks into the room full of doubt. For the entrepreneur scaling at the cost of their health. For the team that has tools but lacks trust.
Because when you elevate the leader, you elevate the culture. And when you elevate the culture, everything changes.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not quite. But the challenges shaped the clarity I have today.
When I left corporate life, I carried my share of wear and tear: the pressure to outperform, internalized doubt, and the constant calculation of how to lead while navigating bias. But I didn’t walk away because of pain—I walked toward more purpose, more alignment, and a new way to serve.
What struck me most in my early coaching work was how often my clients mirrored the very things I had wrestled with. Their résumés were impressive, their results undeniable—and yet they were still operating under invisible limits. Patterns emerged: over-functioning, under-claiming, burnout disguised as achievement. I remember leading multi-million dollar initiatives while running on fumes. On the outside, a model leader; on the inside, completely drained.
That recognition helped shape what eventually became the Area of Greatness—the convergence of strengths, passion, and purpose. It’s not just a feel-good idea; it’s a strategic unlock. When leaders operate from that place, they are their most powerful and authentic selves. They create impact without depletion. They stop striving to prove and start leading from clarity.
So no, it hasn’t been a smooth road. But every turn brought me closer to the work I’m meant to do—and the leaders I’m here to support.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Ascentim, we help high-achieving professionals and entrepreneurs shift from pressure to purpose so they can lead boldly and live fully. What sets us apart is our whole-person, inside-out approach to leadership development—and the G.R.O.W. Coaching Process that guides it. We don’t just focus on performance. We help our clients gain insight, realize new possibilities, overcome obstacles, and ultimately win at life and leadership.
We offer private executive coaching, group programs, and custom leadership development experiences for organizations. No matter the format, our work is rooted in helping leaders move from where they are to where they really want to be.
Client transformation is at the heart of what we do. It’s also what I’m most proud of.
I have the privilege of working with clients across industries and career stages, from entrepreneurs to senior executives. Though each story is different, they all reflect a shift from pressure to purpose.
There’s Travis, who runs a home inspection business. He came to us looking to grow in a competitive market. After just a few targeted changes to his website and marketing strategy, he saw immediate results. Just this week, he emailed me: “Thank you for being my business coach and, most importantly, giving me sound advice. I finished the month of December with 20 inspections as a result of the adjustments you suggested.” Seeing that kind of tangible growth so quickly was incredibly rewarding.
Then there’s Birdell, a senior leader in financial services. He was a high performer, but despite his track record, he kept getting passed over for executive roles. We helped him break through by clarifying his leadership story, sharpening his executive presence, and building a strategic visibility plan. The result? A well-earned promotion to SVP and a new level of impact.
Tahir, an engineer in the energy sector, was at a career crossroads. He felt undervalued and uncertain about his next move. Through our work together, he found clarity, rebuilt confidence, and negotiated a 50% salary increase in a role that aligned with his goals. That kind of internal and external win is exactly what we aim for.
And Stephanie, a managing director in global investment banking, was facing some of the most high-stakes conversations of her career. She described our work as “truly transformative,” and said it gave her “the confidence to navigate complex discussions with composure and purpose.” That’s what we deliver—clarity and confidence that extends far beyond the coaching session.
These are just a few real examples of what becomes possible when leaders align their actions with their Area of Greatness. At Ascentim, we help them G.R.O.W.—so their leadership becomes not just successful, but sustainable and deeply significant.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I don’t consider myself a natural risk-taker. I like clarity, structure, and a good plan. But I’ve learned that some of the most important turning points in life don’t come with certainty—they come with conviction.
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was walking away from a successful, decades-long corporate career without fully mapping out the next steps. I had everything I was told I should desire: an executive leadership role, a multiple six-figure income, and the security that many people strive for. And yet, I was playing small. Playing safe. Deep inside, I knew I was meant for more.
Leaving wasn’t an easy decision. But it was a bold, necessary move toward my purpose—despite the risks. That choice led to the founding of Ascentim and the work I now do with leaders around the country. It’s the most meaningful work of my life.
My view on risk-taking? As a leader, staying comfortable can feel like stability, but over time, it becomes stagnation. So the real risk isn’t in doing something new. It’s in staying put when you’ve outgrown where you are.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ascentim.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentim
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelisalbaker
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-l-baker
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ascentim
- Other: https://councils.forbes.com/profile/Lisa-L-Baker-Founder-%CE%99-Speaker-%CE%99-Executive-Coach-Ascentim/21a10e48-ebd2-4418-8c94-287d734d0c08
