Lisa cares about Justice, Generosity, Transparency, and Equity. 

She centers these values both in her work around philanthropic strategy and wealth redistribution, and in her writing.

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In both realms, Lisa is honest, straightforward, and funny.

She builds deep connections with clients, colleagues, allies, friends and co-conspirators.

Philanthropic Strategy

Are you considering a new funding area? A new way of working with your grant partners? A deeper examination of the obstacles and opportunities in organized philanthropy?

 Are you wondering how to impact the issues, geographies or communities that you care about? Want to share your time, treasure and talent? Wondering where or how to give?

Reflections from past collaborators

  • I have been lucky to be connected with Lisa Cowan in many different ways - Board chair, funder, advisor, coach and friend.  She is a consistent source of pragmatic inspiration, straightforward guidance around complex issues, and thought-provoking questions that you wished you'd asked yourself.  Lisa will bring an effective and engaging combination of expertise, values, vision, and humor to your work together.

    – Meg Barnette, Senior Consultant, CFAR: Consulting and Coaching

  • Lisa may be the most effective funder organizer in NYC, or perhaps even the US. She sees around corners and gets key actors aligned on what actions they can take. Lisa is both deeply visionary, refusing to accept today's injustices, and profoundly pragmatic. If you want to get a collaborative, ambitious project moving in NYC, you need Lisa in your corner.

    - Laura Clancy, former ED of The Bridge Project at The Monarch Foundation & COO of Samvid Ventures

  • Lisa Cowan is an experienced strategic advisor who brings a rare combination of strategic insight, deep sector knowledge, and genuine partnership to all the work she does. Her passion for distilling complex challenges into actionable strategies is matched by a deep understanding of the philanthropic landscape.  And Lisa’s approach to her work is rooted in trust, equity, and respect—values she brings not only to advising funders, but also in how she engages and supports grantees.

    – Erica Hamilton, CEO, The Memo I Never Got (MING)