Former CEO and Chairman of Adtalem Global Education Inc.; Advocate for Inclusion and Access in Healthcare and Education
Lisa Wardell: Biography at a Glance
- Business executive Lisa Wardell has more than 25 years of experience managing business strategy, operations, finance, mergers and acquisitions, digital innovation, and transformation while driving shareholder value.
- Currently on the Boards of Directors of American Express, Univar Solutions, and Adtalem Global Education, Lisa has unique expertise in shareholder engagement, company mission and vision, programmatic M&A, systems thinking, and Board and CEO succession.
- Lisa previously held the roles of President, CEO, Chairman, and Executive Chairman at Adtalem where she oversaw the strategic repositioning of their institutional portfolio to focus on healthcare and medical education.
- The only African-American woman CEO in S&P’s MidCap 400 Index, Lisa also drove Adtalem’s mission to provide access to healthcare education across a diverse student body.
- Prior to her work with Adtalem, Lisa was the Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer for The RLJ Companies, a Principal at Katalyst Venture Partners, and a Senior Consultant for Accenture.
- With expertise in business strategy execution, mission-driven growth, fostering an inclusive culture and diverse workforce, higher education, and advancing equity in healthcare, Lisa has been sought-after for her perspective by groups including WSJ Women in the Workplace Forum, Salesforce Dreamforce Summit, Bloomberg, the Clorox Company, Lowes, Inc., Wharton School of Business, and more.
Videos
Biography
Business executive Lisa Wardell has more than 25 years of experience managing business strategy, operations, finance, and mergers and acquisitions while driving shareholder value through transformation, innovation, and performance culture building. Lisa has unique expertise in shareholder engagement, company mission and vision, programmatic M&A, systems thinking, and Board and CEO succession. Lisa currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Adtalem Global Education and American Express. Lisa previously served as Adtalem’s President and CEO, then CEO & Chairman, and Executive Chairman. During her tenure as CEO, Lisa oversaw the strategic repositioning of Adtalem’s institutional portfolio to focus on healthcare and medical education resulting in a company that is systematically important to healthcare in the United States. Lisa drove Adtalem’s mission to provide access to healthcare education across a diverse student body. She was the only African-American woman CEO in S&P’s MidCap 400 Index. Wardell has also led the higher education sector in implementing new standards in transparency and financial literacy, and in cultivating quality partnerships to fill critical global healthcare workforce needs. With expertise in business strategy execution, mission-driven growth, fostering an inclusive culture and diverse workforce, higher education, and advancing equity in healthcare, Lisa has been sought-after for her perspective by groups including Bloomberg, Cheddar TV, ASU+GSV Summit, the Clorox Company, Lowes, Inc., and more.
Prior to her work with Adtalem, Lisa was the Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer for The RLJ Companies, a Principal at Katalyst Venture Partners, and a Senior Consultant for Accenture. She has also worked extensively in the media, entertainment, sports, gaming, and hotel industries, including assisting with the founding and management of Our Stories Films Studio, RML Automotive, and the now Charlotte Hornets. Lisa’s business experience is global, she has managed businesses in Hong Kong, Brazil, the UK, China, the Caribbean island nations of Barbados, St. Maarten, Dominica, Turks & Caicos, Puerto Rico, and more. Lisa currently serves on the board of the Economic Club of Chicago, is a member of The Business Council, is a World50 Advisory member for NextGen directors, and chairs the Alvin Ailey DC Gala for the Alvin Ailey Foundation.
Topics
AI in Healthcare: Using Technology to Bridge the Gaps
Lisa Wardell explores how artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool for expanding access, improving outcomes, and advancing equity in healthcare. Drawing from her experience leading Adtalem’s transformation into a healthcare education leader, Lisa unpacks the ways AI can reshape how we train medical professionals, deliver care, and address systemic disparities. With her unique lens at the intersection of innovation, inclusion, and strategy, she provides actionable insights for healthcare organizations, educators, and business leaders seeking to responsibly integrate AI while keeping mission and equity at the center.
Building Inclusive and Effective Teams
Over the last decade, leadership has gone through tremendous change. Lisa has been on public boards since 2008, joining the DeVry Education Group as it transitioned to a professional corporate board; sitting on the board of American Express, a Fortune 100 company; and the board of Lowes Inc., a Fortune 50 company. In this conversation, Lisa details the board refresh she led as CEO of Adtalem that not only set the board up for diverse and inclusive membership but also profoundly shaped the outlook of the company. She emphasizes the power of assembling teams with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to foster creativity and innovation within any organization. Lisa leaves audiences with a blueprint for maximizing talent from diverse backgrounds and balancing the skill matrix in a way that aligns with present and future company strategy.
Leading at Every Level
Lisa Wardell has held leadership roles in management and on boards for over two decades. Her journey from first-generation college graduate to Fortune 1000/S&P 400 President, CEO & Chairman is one that navigates challenges and explains the importance of an ever-evolving "personal board of directors.”
In this conversation, Lisa highlights grit, initiative, relationship-building, and continuous learning as key ingredients to becoming a servant leader and therefore someone who creates "followership.” She takes the audience on a journey from her first job at 14 as a retail cashier - a role that taught her how to listen to individuals at every level of the organization - to her succession from a public company board director to the company's CEO. She will cover strategic and tactical ways to learn how to be an authentic leader using life stories and lessons learned across multiple industries and in several different key C-suite positions. Lisa also highlights the benefits of being a female leader and focuses on empathy, EQ, embracing failure, talent assessment, and over-preparation among other factors.
Key takeaways for the audience include:
- Leadership is a journey
- The importance of constructive criticism and failure
- The advantage of women who lead "differently"
Navigating Your Career: You Are the Product
Navigating your career through its various stages takes determination and intentionality, even when you are so focused on the day-to-day of your current role. Lisa has built a career by taking on challenges, volunteering for projects, asking for feedback, building a network of experts and management executives whom she mutually helps with contacts, resources, etc. and not being afraid to take calculated risks.
In this conversation, she discusses both the intentionality and authenticity needed for corporate relationships and gives practical advice on both how to get started and how to navigate finding a more relevant network as you move up in an organization. She explains self-advocacy and mentorship and how those two concepts intersect. She also shares the unique challenges of "being the product" as you get more senior in an organization. Lisa expertly details how to take on more responsibility with the confidence that you can deliver, how to view challenges through a different lens, and how to exceed the expectations of stakeholders.
AI and Business Disruption
Enterprise Risk Management
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FAQs
How do I book Lisa Wardell for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Lisa Wardell to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
- Get availability confirmation within 24 hours
- Review speaking fee and contract terms
- Sign agreement and finalize logistics
As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Lisa Wardell's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Lisa Wardell’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Lisa Wardell in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Lisa Wardell's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Lisa Wardell's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Lisa Wardell, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Lisa Wardell's speaking fee?
Lisa Wardell's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Lisa Wardell's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
- Travel distance and logistics
- Presentation length and customization
- Virtual vs. in-person delivery
Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Lisa Wardell's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
How much does it cost to book Lisa Wardell as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book Lisa Wardell as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- Lisa Wardell's keynote speaking fee
- Travel and accommodation
- Technical requirements and A/V setup
- Optional add-ons like book signing and meet & greets
- Virtual presentations
- Local/regional events
- Off-peak booking periods
- Flexible event dates
Email speakers@caa.com for Lisa Wardell's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Lisa Wardell for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Lisa Wardell speaking engagements.
Official contact for Lisa Wardell bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/lisa-wardell
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Lisa Wardell.
Is Lisa Wardell available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Lisa Wardell speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
Lisa Wardell's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
- Interactive workshops and breakouts
- Hybrid events (in-person + virtual)
- Pre-recorded presentations
Virtual events offer global reach, flexible scheduling, and reduced travel costs while maintaining Lisa Wardell's engaging presentation quality.
Contact CAA Speakers for Lisa Wardell's virtual event availability and technical specifications.
What events can I book Lisa Wardell for?
Book Lisa Wardell for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Lisa Wardell customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
- Industry summits and trade shows
- Private executive retreats
- Educational institution events
- Virtual and hybrid conferences
Lisa Wardell engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how Lisa Wardell can customize their presentation for your specific event.
Lisa Wardell booking information and availability
Check Lisa Wardell's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Lisa Wardell for your preferred event date.
Book Lisa Wardell keynote speaker through CAA
Book Lisa Wardell through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Lisa Wardell, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
CAA booking advantages:- Direct access to Lisa Wardell's calendar
- 24-hour availability confirmations
- Professional contract negotiation
- Full logistics coordination
- Industry-leading client service
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most important speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com to book Lisa Wardell for your next event.
Will Lisa Wardell speak at private events?
Yes, Lisa Wardell speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
- Client entertainment and VIP gatherings
- Corporate celebrations and award ceremonies
- Private dinners and exclusive functions
Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for Lisa Wardell's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking Lisa Wardell?
CAA Speakers responds to Lisa Wardell booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Lisa Wardell?
Book Lisa Wardell 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Lisa Wardell pricing information?
Get Lisa Wardell pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
- Event format and duration
- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.
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