Our Lead(H)er series features impressive women leaders in the tech industry. In this Q&A, we are featuring Lisa Hoover, Director of UX Design at CloudZero.
Where did you grow up and how would you describe yourself as a child?
I grew up just outside of Philadelphia and have always been a mix of curious, creative, and endlessly optimistic. As a kid, I was constantly sketching on paper, in notebooks, and even on the family room wall. My mom was thrilled about that one! I had a strong inner drive to bring happiness to others, which probably explains why, at just 12 years old, I asked my mom to let me volunteer at the local soup kitchen down the street from her corner market. Hairnet, ladle, the whole nine. It brought me pure joy to brighten someone’s day, even in small ways.
What did you study in college and what was your first job out of school?
I started out in a design program focused on visual, brand, and product design, but at the time, I thought there would be more career opportunities if I pursued another path. I decided to shift gears and graduated with a degree in Finance and a minor in Business Law. A creative mind with a finance degree sounds like an unlikely match, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.
My first role was at Accenture, where I began my career as a consultant and quickly discovered that strategy and design could thrive in the same space. That experience became a turning point. I worked with a diverse range of teams and industries, combining analytical thinking with creativity, and eventually found my way back to design with a clear sense of purpose to solve real problems. I began shaping experiences that connect people, products, and possibilities in meaningful ways.
While earning my master’s at George Washington University in Education and Human Development with a focus on Clinical Counseling, I gained a deeper understanding of what truly drives people. Now my husband would argue that there could have potentially been less expensive ways to figure this out LOL. All joking aside, as he was ridiculously supportive of my journey. That lens on human behavior and empathy reshaped how I see design. It taught me that great experiences are not just functional, they are deeply human. That belief continues to guide how I lead and create today.
Can you share the details on your career path and what were the critical moments that got you to where you are today?
I’ve been fortunate to build a career that’s allowed me to explore many different worlds. From large consulting firms to boutique agencies, from startups to enterprise organizations, each experience has shaped how I think. It’s given me a unique balance of structure and agility, strategy and creativity.
Every chapter has taught me something new about how people, technology, and design intersect. Over time, I’ve grown to love both sides equally, driving innovation in products while finding meaningful ways to reach people and make a real impact in their lives.
The critical moments were always the ones that pushed me outside my comfort zone. Saying yes to projects that challenged me, leading teams that needed clarity and confidence, and helping organizations embrace change instead of fearing it. Those experiences shaped me into the leader I am today, one who thrives on curiosity, creativity, and the constant pursuit of making things better for real people at scale.
What is your current role and responsibilities?
I’m leading the Experience and Design practice at CloudZero, a FinOps platform that helps organizations understand and optimize their cloud spend. My role is equal parts strategy, storytelling, and design leadership. I live to ensure that every experience feels cohesive, intuitive, and human.
I spend my days collaborating with stakeholders across product, engineering, and go-to-market teams to connect the dots between complex data and meaningful user insight. My favorite part of the job is helping people see what is possible when we bring creativity, technology, and empathy together. Watching ideas evolve from concept to reality, and seeing how design can inspire confidence and clarity across the organization, is what makes this work so rewarding.
Looking back, is this where you thought you’d be professionally? Was it always your goal to be in this position?
Not at all. I didn’t grow up thinking, “I want to be a design leader in tech.” I just knew I loved art, being creative, solving problems and making things better. Every role I took, from consulting to creative direction, was about learning how to improve experiences for people. The leadership part happened naturally because I’ve always loved bringing others along for the ride.
If anything, I’ve learned that the best career paths are rarely planned. They’re built through curiosity, adaptability, and the courage to keep evolving.
For people who are looking to be in a similar position, what advice would you give to others in terms of helping them achieve their career goals?
Be curious about everything, not just your field. Learn how the business works, how technology shapes it, and how people experience it. The best design leaders speak every language in the room, from strategy to storytelling to systems.
Also, invest in people. Build relationships, listen deeply, and create environments where others feel safe to explore ideas. Your ability to connect with and inspire others will take you further than any title or tool ever will.
What are the most important skills that you need to do your job well?
Empathy, communication, and clarity. You need to understand people, translate complexity into simplicity, and rally a group of wildly different minds toward one vision.
Strategic thinking is also essential. It’s not enough to design something beautiful; it has to move the needle for the business and the user. And of course, curiosity, which is my fuel behind every breakthrough.
What do you find most interesting/rewarding about your work? What’s the most challenging?
The most rewarding part is seeing the lightbulb go off! I love when a complex concept suddenly makes sense to a user or a team finally clicks. That’s when I know design is doing its job.
The challenge is balancing big-picture innovation with the realities of execution. There’s always a tug between what’s visionary and what’s viable right now. The trick is to honor both and still move forward with momentum.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
Building and leading incredible teams that foster creativity and growth in both the products we create and in one another. I have been fortunate to help shape cultures that value curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Bridging brand, product, and engineering through a shared experience vision has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. What matters most to me is seeing the impact of that work, watching teams grow, ideas take shape, and people feel inspired to create with purpose.
Are you involved with any professional organizations outside of the company? Volunteer work?
I stay involved in the design community as a UX bootcamp instructor and mentor, helping emerging designers and creative professionals build confidence, sharpen their skills, and find their voice in this field.
I am also active in design and modernization communities including helping students with capstone design projects. It is outrageously rewarding. I find a lot of meaning in giving back to the next generation of designers and helping others navigate their careers. Helping people uncover their potential is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
Q&A
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Anything creative. I’m a maker at heart. I love building furniture, experimenting with recipes, and using my kitchen as a test lab for what I like to call “BaddyFlaves,” my dream Asian fusion spot. I’m also completely obsessed with my family and find endless inspiration in the all out fun of our everyday life.
How do you manage stress?
Humor and chill time. A long walk, an awesome playlist, or a quick reset with my family usually puts things in perspective. Humans deserve this. I also try not to take myself too seriously. Laughter has been my best friend and companion throughout my life.
How many cups of coffee do you have in a day?
Only every second that I am conscious. My tagline will forever be “the caffeinated designer.”
Any book or podcast recommendations?
99% Invisible is great for design lovers who want to chill with their curiosity and a cup of coffee. This one feeds me in the best way. It explores the hidden details in the world around us, the design choices, and the small decisions that shape how we live without us even realizing it. Every episode makes me see ordinary things in a completely new light.
I love Wireframe, now In the Making, because it dives into the real side of creativity. It highlights the experiments, the doubt, and the unexpected turns that lead to something great. It’s a genuine reminder that nothing amazing starts perfect, and the process itself is where the magic happens.
Guilty pleasure, I’m all about The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F** with Mark Manson. It’s just all around blunt, brilliant, and refreshingly honest. Equal parts truth bomb, therapy session, and reality check.
What advice do you have for recent college graduates?
Say yes to learning and growing, not just titles. I’ve seen the best careers built on curiosity and courage. Try to develop the ability to ask questions, even when it feels awkward or uncomfortable. Those questions often lead to the aha moments you would not have had otherwise.
Learn how to step back and see the big picture. Listen deeply. Work with people who challenge and stretch you.
Your degree might open a door, but your curiosity and ability to connect with people might be the recipe to keeping it wide open for a bright future ahead.
