Leading a Health Revolution: Team Profile – Lisa Marchiani, Sr. Director of Operations
Leading a Health Revolution: Team Profile – Lisa Marchiani, Senior Director of Operations
Pictured above is Lisa (middle, blue shirt) surrounded by CFW Team Leaders after conducting operations training at a client site in Texas. As we surpass a major milestone, our company’s 30th Anniversary, we wanted to celebrate the people that have led us to where we are today. By sharing their stories, their inspirations and lessons learned, we hope to enthuse others to pursue their goals and aspirations, so together we can lead a health revolution that moves the world!
The A-ha Moment
Lisa discovered her passion for working in the health and fitness field early on. When she was just a teenager, she started working at a recreation facility. Although she didn’t consider herself an athlete, Lisa enjoyed being involved with sports and physical activity. She also worked as a lifeguard in a commercial fitness facility. In college, Lisa started out in a communications major and even wrote sports articles for the school newspaper. She switched over to a Recreation: Fitness Management degree track when she realized she could get a degree in fitness and do something she had such a passion for. Initially, corporate fitness and wellness wasn’t Lisa’s desired career path; cardiac rehab was. However, as she reveals in her responses below, once Lisa took her first role in corporate fitness she realized it was a perfect fit.
We asked Lisa to share a few things about her career journey and success Corporate Fitness Works. This is what she had to say…
Tell us about a time in your studies or in your career that helped you prepare for the challenges you face in your role today?
When I was in graduate school, I had a vision of working in Cardiac Rehab. I began interviewing for a position in Cardiac Rehab with the support of my advisor. I was shocked and disappointed to learn that my experience in the commercial field and my advanced degree weren’t enough to help me enter the field. It was all about experience and an internship wasn’t part of my graduate program. I was approaching graduation, my wedding, investing in my first home and my student loan would soon need to be re-paid. I picked myself up, refocused and applied for a position in corporate fitness. Almost 23 years later and I’m still with the same company. This taught me to embrace every experience and learn from each of them, and that I must be open to all possibilities to ensure I’m making the best recommendations for site operations.
What is your #1 motivator? What are you most passionate about in the work that you do?
People are my biggest motivator; specifically providing resources that help our site teams and supervisors optimize performance in their roles, and supporting our Executive Team, Business Units and other Team Leaders be successful motivates me on a daily basis. I must give 100% every day to ensure I exceed the needs of everyone I interact with. My work is a reflection of myself and Corporate Fitness Works, and I take great pride in that.
Describe the key steps you took in the path to your career success/career growth that made the greatest impact?
I began my career in the commercial fitness field and quickly learned it wasn’t for me. I wanted my work to be about helping people achieve their health and fitness goals without the pressure of meeting sales quotas.
In my first 15 months working in corporate fitness, I worked at four different sites for the same client. I was flexible and willing to take on new challenges. When I found my permanent site, it became my home for more than six years. My time and experience may have been short at some sites, but it allowed me to forge valuable professional and personal relationships which I have maintained.
In 2004, I had the opportunity to move out of the site and begin supporting other business initiatives. My job titles have been many, and my role is evolving constantly. I’ve been uniquely privileged to work with almost every business unit in Corporate Fitness Works. My role has allowed me to continue to learn and grow daily.
How does your role as Senior Director of Operations support Team Leader growth and our business growth?
My role allows me to create, implement, update and train our Team Leaders on standard operating procedures so we can lead the health revolution that moves everybody.
How does your role most impact our client’s (and the members we serve) success?
I lead operations for all locations which includes; safety, quality control, evaluation, and standard operating procedures. The processes, procedures, tools and resources produced are implemented at every site location to ensure high quality, safe, effective and efficient operations.
Share a career highlight.
In 2007, I received an award from our owners for my contribution to operations and commitment to company culture. It was an honor to be recognized for my efforts.
If you could share one “value added tip” as Senior Director of Operations of CFW, what would it be?
It’s not a position or job title that makes you successful. It’s being able to use your talents and skills each day doing something you love.
Please share an interesting fact about you that you would want our Team and our clients to know.
I grew up enjoying a Disney vacation every summer. I was lucky enough to find someone who shares my love for Disney. We spent our honeymoon in Disney and have passed our love for Disney onto our girls. Although they are teenagers, they still love it and every visit is just as magical as the first. Too many visits to count and off to celebrate the magic again this summer.
Pictured above are two images of Lisa with her family enjoying the magic of Disney this summer.