Lisa Benson Cooper
Kansas City
Summary
Learning and Leadership Development professional with 25+ years of experience designing and facilitating high-impact training that strengthens leadership capability, communication, and organizational culture. Expertise includes curriculum design, executive facilitation, coaching, and change leadership. Recognized for translating complex concepts, leadership effectiveness, inclusive practice and performance standards into practical, behavior-based learning that drives measurable results.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Learning & Leadership Development Consultant
Winning Truths International, LLC
Kansas City, MO
03.2019 - Current
- Design and deliver leadership development, communication, and organizational learning programs for corporate, nonprofit, and public-sector clients.
- Facilitate workshops focused on leadership effectiveness, inclusive leadership practices, decision-making under pressure, accountability, and team collaboration.
- Develop scalable curricula aligned to organizational values, performance expectations, and business objectives.
- Partner with senior leaders to implement culture and behavior change initiatives using data-informed planning and evaluation.
- Produce and direct multimedia learning and branding content to support training, engagement, and organizational messaging.
Individual Member Engagement and Learning Advisor
MORE2 (Metro Organization for Racial & Economic Equity)
Kansas City, MO
10.2019 - 12.2025
- Support education-focused learning initiatives that strengthen leadership capacity, workforce readiness, and community engagement.
- Design and facilitate training sessions on leadership effectiveness, bias-aware decision-making, and inclusive organizational practices.
- Collaborate with cross-sector stakeholders to advance organizational learning, policy awareness, and sustainable partnerships.
- Coordinate large-scale engagement efforts including workshops, forums, and community learning initiatives.
Certified Substitute Teacher
Independence School District
Independence, MO
11.2015 - 09.2018
- Delivered classroom instruction across grade levels while maintaining continuity of learning and adherence to lesson plans.
- Created a structured, respectful classroom environment that supported student engagement, behavioral expectations, and academic focus.
- Adapted instructional approaches in real time to meet diverse learning needs and classroom dynamics.
- Collaborated with teachers, administrators, and support staff to ensure smooth classroom transitions and consistent learning outcomes.
- Demonstrated strong classroom management, communication, and relationship-building skills with students and staff.
Reporter / Multimedia Journalist
KSHB-TV (NBC Affiliate)
Kansas City, MO
02.2004 - 06.2018
- Produced investigative, feature, and enterprise stories for broadcast and digital platforms under tight deadlines.
- Collaborated with editorial leadership to shape messaging, audience engagement strategies, and content priorities.
- Built trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders and communities, strengthening credibility and reach.
- Applied advanced communication, research, and storytelling skills transferable to facilitation, training, and leadership communication.
Weekend Anchor
WAND-TV (NBC Affiliate)
Decatur, IL
04.2001 - 01.2004
- Anchored and produced weekend newscasts while coordinating newsroom teams to ensure quality, accuracy, and consistency.
- Assigned stories, coached reporters, and upheld editorial standards-experience directly aligned with leadership and coaching roles.
Weekend Anchor / Multimedia Journalist
KQTV (ABC Affiliate)
St. Joseph, MO
11.1998 - 04.2001
- Produced and delivered multimedia content while cultivating strong community and stakeholder relationships.
- Led outreach initiatives to strengthen audience trust and engagement.
Researcher
CNN Impact
Atlanta, GA
01.1997 - 01.1998
- Conducted in-depth research and developed briefing materials supporting investigative reporting and editorial decision-making.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communication / Media Studies
Clark Atlanta University
Certified Life Coach - undefined
IAP Career College Executive & Professional Education
Executive Leadership & Inclusion - undefined
Cornell University
Leading Organizational Change & Inclusion - undefined
Northwestern University
Inclusive Leadership Strategies - undefined
University of Cambridge, Judge Business School
DEI in the Workplace - undefined
University of South Florida
Skills
- Learning & Development Strategy
- Leadership Development & Coaching
- Curriculum & Program Design
- Facilitation & Adult Learning
- Organizational Development & Change
- Culture & Employee Engagement
- Stakeholder & Executive Engagement
Additional Expertise
- Leadership & Professional Development
- Coaching & Behavior Change
- Employee Engagement & Culture
- Workshop & Retreat Facilitation
- Strategic Planning & Implementation
- Media & Executive Communication Training
- Digital Storytelling & Content Development
Affiliations And Service
- Board of Directors, Academie Lafayette
- Community Advisory Board Member, Racial Equity Institute KC
- Board Chair, MORE2
- Member, The Links, Incorporated
Timeline
Individual Member Engagement and Learning Advisor
MORE2 (Metro Organization for Racial & Economic Equity)
10.2019 - 12.2025
Learning & Leadership Development Consultant
Winning Truths International, LLC
03.2019 - Current
Certified Substitute Teacher
Independence School District
11.2015 - 09.2018
Reporter / Multimedia Journalist
KSHB-TV (NBC Affiliate)
02.2004 - 06.2018
Weekend Anchor
WAND-TV (NBC Affiliate)
04.2001 - 01.2004
Weekend Anchor / Multimedia Journalist
KQTV (ABC Affiliate)
11.1998 - 04.2001
Researcher
CNN Impact
01.1997 - 01.1998
Certified Life Coach - undefined
IAP Career College Executive & Professional Education
Executive Leadership & Inclusion - undefined
Cornell University
Leading Organizational Change & Inclusion - undefined
Northwestern University
Inclusive Leadership Strategies - undefined
University of Cambridge, Judge Business School
DEI in the Workplace - undefined
University of South Florida
Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communication / Media Studies
Clark Atlanta University