At Fast Forward, I’ve always believed that mentorship shows up in the moments where trust meets opportunity. When I was asked to recommend panelists for SISO, Lisa Mae immediately came to mind. It would be her first time speaking on a stage like that — a meaningful step, and one she was ready for, even if it didn’t feel that way for her yet.
Lisa Mae is a powerful example of what happens when talent is met with trust. In her role as Senior Manager of Event Marketing + Brand, she’s grown not just in title, but in confidence, leadership, and voice — learning when to raise her hand, when to take the stage, and when to say yes before she feels fully ready. In this conversation, Lisa Mae reflects on the moments that shaped her path, the role mentorship has played in her growth, and what it means to find your voice in an industry that’s constantly evolving.
When I encouraged you to say yes to this speaking opportunity at the SISO Leadership Summit, what went through your mind—and what ultimately made you decide to take the leap?
Honestly, I wasn’t surprised. You have a knack for seeing potential before others fully see it themselves — and then (lovingly) nudging us straight through the door. I felt genuinely honored that you trusted me with the opportunity and believed I had something meaningful to contribute.
It was an easy yes. The nerves were inevitable, but I knew they’d be temporary. What made the decision simple was knowing my team believed in me. That kind of trust gives you the confidence to step into something new, even before you feel fully “ready.”
This was your first time speaking on a panel of senior leaders. What did it feel like to take the stage in that environment, and how did that moment challenge or affirm your confidence as a leader?
It was incredibly validating. I was sharing the stage with professionals around my age who were making real impact within their organizations — many of which were significantly larger than Fast Forward. And I’ll admit this proudly: despite our size, we’re producing shows and marketing campaigns that are just as engaging, innovative, and successful as theirs.
That moment affirmed that what we’re doing works. That I’m learning from and working alongside some of the best in the business. Sometimes when you’re deep in it, especially at a small but mighty company, it’s easy to underestimate the waves you’re making. That experience reminded me they’re bigger than they feel.
How did being trusted with that opportunity change the way you think about mentorship—both receiving it and, eventually, offering it to others?
I’ve always believed that insight isn’t tied to tenure. Curious, thoughtful people — no matter how early they are in their careers — have valuable perspectives. This panel really reinforced how interested and invested senior leaders are in understanding Gen Z, whether that’s how to market to them or how to lead them better.
What this experience highlighted most, though, is how fortunate I am to work somewhere that doesn’t treat mentorship as a checkbox. At Fast Forward, it’s simply part of who we are. It’s embedded in the culture.
I started here six years ago as what I jokingly call a glorified intern. Today, I’m a senior manager overseeing marketing for multiple national brands. That growth didn’t happen by accident, it happened because leadership made space for learning, trust, and evolution.
Fast Forward has a culture of pushing people to raise their hands before they feel “ready.” How did this experience reflect that culture, and why do you think that kind of leadership matters in our industry?
This experience was a perfect reflection of that mindset. Growth doesn’t happen when you wait for perfection, it happens when someone believes in you enough to say, “You’re ready for this next step,” even if you’re still finding your footing.
That kind of leadership matters because it’s how we invest in the future of our industry. Without leaders like you, there wouldn’t be a next generation of professionals who feel empowered to innovate, take risks, and share knowledge. We’d stall. Instead, we grow together.
Looking back, what did this moment unlock for you—and how has it shaped the way you now see your role, voice, and trajectory within Fast Forward and the industry as a whole?
It unlocked a quiet confidence I didn’t fully realize I had. I knew public speaking was a strength, but now it genuinely excites me — especially when I have something meaningful to say.
Beyond the panel itself, being at SISO was an incredible stretch. Networking, working the room, and sitting among executives from some of the largest event organizations in the country pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best way.
My goal in that room wasn’t just personal growth, it was to represent Fast Forward well. To make a name for myself and for the company that’s invested so deeply in me. That experience reshaped how I see my voice, my value, and the role I want to continue building within both Fast Forward and the industry at large.