Behind every high-performing organization is someone ensuring that big ideas turn into measurable outcomes. At DZA, that person is Chief Operating Officer (COO) Lisa Hunter, who works behind the scenes to transform ideas into operational successes.
As COO, Lisa serves as an internal leader, responsible for translating strategy into day-to-day operations. Her role centers on firm efficiency, human resources, policies and best practices, and implementing strategic initiatives that support sustainable growth.
“I focus on translating partner visions into daily operational reality,” she explains. “That means ensuring the firm has the right processes, people, and systems in place to operate efficiently and continue growing.”
Turning Vision into Action
What Lisa enjoys most about administration is taking big-picture ideas and making them tangible.
She describes her role as “being the engine behind the scenes.” Whether that means organizing complex initiatives, building infrastructure, or strengthening internal systems, she thrives on creating order from complexity and helping the firm move forward.
The work may not always be visible externally, but it’s essential to ensuring the firm operates smoothly and strategically.
Lisa has recently masterminded several projects that help keep things moving smoothly. She oversaw and assisted with the creation and implementation of the RedZone, DZA’s intranet site, transforming it into our company’s digital HQ. It now serves as a secure, centralized hub where team members can find essential files, HR resources, and collaborate in real-time, reducing our reliance on email and outdated shared drives. Lisa also spearheaded the search and adoption of a practice management solution, which significantly improved our project management protocols by streamlining and automating workflows, enhancing team collaboration, and automating client communication, allowing teams to focus on high-value client work.
A Career Path Built on Problem Solving
Lisa’s interest in accounting began early. After taking two years of accounting courses in high school, she realized the field suited the way she thinks.
“I liked the black-and-white answers that accounting provided versus the subjective reasoning of other career paths,” she says.
Initially, she considered both accounting and law. Ultimately, she decided that determining whether people were innocent or guilty might lead to too many sleepless nights. Instead, she found a way to blend the two worlds by working with law firms in administrative leadership roles.
Before joining DZA in 2018, Lisa served as a Firm Administrator and Director of Finance & Administration for law firms, gaining extensive experience in operational leadership and strategic management.
A Memorable Project in Public Service
One of the most memorable projects of her career involved working with a District Attorney’s office in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The team set out to restructure court schedules to better align with the operational flow of the DA’s office.
The project was inspired by the book “We Don’t Make Widgets: Overcoming the Myths that Keep Government from Radically Improving.” Using its principles, the team redesigned the court calendar to better coordinate intake times, preliminary hearings, arraignments, plea negotiations, and trials.
While the outcome was successful, the biggest challenge was convincing judges to change their longstanding schedules. The experience reinforced Lisa’s ability to navigate complex systems and lead organizational change.
From Finance to Firm Operations
Earlier in her career, Lisa spent significant time working directly with financial reporting and accounting processes. Moving fully into operations required a shift in focus.
“Leaving numbers behind and becoming 100% focused on firm operations was a challenge,” she says. “I enjoyed month-end close and preparing financial statements.”
Over time, however, she found even greater satisfaction in operational leadership.
Today, she values the tangible impact that comes with improving processes, executing strategy, and solving complex organizational challenges. The ability to drive efficiency and support the DZA’s long-term vision has become one of the most rewarding aspects of her career.
Life at an Independent Firm
For Lisa, one of DZA’s greatest strengths is its independence.
Being an independently owned and operated firm allows leadership to make decisions based on what is best for clients and employees over the long term, rather than focusing on short-term shareholder expectations or corporate mandates.
This independence allows the firm to prioritize relationship-building and deliver customized services tailored to each client’s needs, an approach that has fostered strong, long-term partnerships.
Living the Firm’s Values
As COO, Lisa views the firm itself as her primary client. Her approach centers on putting the team and clients first, without ego or personal agenda.
This philosophy has helped cultivate a collaborative and high-performing environment within the firm.
It requires humility, she explains, along with a shared commitment to collective success. When individuals focus on team goals rather than personal recognition, it strengthens morale, trust, and innovation across the organization.
Life Beyond the Office
Outside of work, Lisa enjoys spending time with family. She has three children and seven grandchildren, and being close to them was one of the reasons she returned to the Midwest after spending time in Colorado and Washington.
Summers are often spent enjoying the outdoors paddleboarding, boating, and kayaking on the region’s many lakes, along with attending the many festivals and concerts that take place from spring through fall. When winter arrives, she prefers warmer destinations.
Lisa has also developed a passion for baking sourdough bread. In addition to traditional sourdough, she enjoys experimenting with flavors such as cranberry pecan, white chocolate cranberry, and cinnamon raisin. One of her favorite lunches is a grilled panini made with turkey, pepper jack cheese, sliced apples, Duke’s mayonnaise, and stone-ground mustard.
Giving Back
Lisa is also active in her church community, where she leads small groups and participates in service initiatives. She supports programs such as “Item of the Month,” which provides requested items to local community groups, and Night to Remember, a prom-style event where volunteers host guests with special needs for a red-carpet experience.
For Lisa, giving back is about creating positive change and strengthening community connections.
“Serving the community gives me a sense of joy, purpose, and fulfillment,” she says.
A Fun Fact
One surprising detail about Lisa’s family: both of her parents were twins. This has become a memorable conversation starter.
Words to Live By
Lisa draws inspiration from a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Not everybody can be famous, but everybody can be great, because greatness is determined by service.”
It’s a philosophy that reflects both her leadership style and her belief that meaningful impact often happens behind the scenes.
Lisa and her grandchildren.
