Lisa Yancey, founder of Yancey Consulting, has spent nearly 25 years guiding organizations, entrepreneurs, and communities toward building just, equitable, and thriving societies. With a background in law, dance, and choreography, she blends analytical precision with creative vision to create real change. Her story is one of mentorship, courage, and purpose—a journey sparked by the encouragement of another woman of color and fueled by a passion for the arts, culture, and social transformation. Humans of Fuzia is featuring Lisa to inspire our 5 million-strong community of changemakers—because her work embodies the spirit of “He for She” and “She for She,” showing that transformation begins when we dream boldly and act with love.
Q: Lisa, how did your journey as an entrepreneur begin?
I founded Yancey Consulting in 2001—next year will mark 25 years in business. It began through the advice of a mentor and friend, a fellow woman of color who was also a consultant. I had recently moved to New York, joined the New York Bar, and was also deeply connected to dance and choreography. She had been a dancer herself and was consulting in arts and culture. She needed an assistant, but instead of hiring me as an employee, she encouraged me to become an independent contractor. That opened the door to building and offering services independently, blending my love for arts and culture with my background in law and analysis.
Q: Do you work solo or with a team?
I have a team—both staff and contractors—working across the U.S., and we often collaborate remotely. In fact, one of my assistants is currently based in Lithuania.
Q: What drives the mission of Yancey Consulting?
Our mission is transformation toward just, equitable, and thriving societies. Every project we take on is filtered through that lens. We focus on five pillars: economics, environment, visibility of bold leaders, structures and systems, and narrative and storytelling. We ask ourselves if the work will lead to a more just society before moving forward. Our clients range from nonprofit organizations and philanthropic foundations to mission-driven social entrepreneurs and corporations seeking to expand their impact.
Q: What short-term goals are you currently working toward?
We’ve launched several new programs. One is The Dash, a dream-planning curriculum that I teach because I believe strategy should serve the dream, not the other way around. We offer in-person retreats around the world and will launch an online version this fall to make it more accessible. Another big project is Delta Fest, launching in September with our partner Hope Enterprises—an economic activation festival focused on regional prosperity across six states. Lastly, we’re moving much of our one-on-one consulting content online so that thousands more people can access the frameworks, templates, and strategies we’ve developed over decades.
Q: What does success mean to you?
Success is making decisions rooted in love, joy, and courage—and doing the work you want with the people you want to do it with.
“Lead with courage, root your decisions in love, and create with joy—because that’s where true transformation begins.”
Connect with Lisa Yancey
Website: https://yanceyconsulting.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-yancey
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
