Lisa Gibson

Senior Client Service Manager, Accord Financial

Lisa Gibson is a senior client service manager at Accord Financial’s US Asset Based Finance unit. Lisa joined Accord in 1998, starting out in an accounting role. After 10 years, Lisa moved to Client Services where, in addition to attending to the daily cash needs of her clients, she dedicates her time to developing relationships and providing financial solutions to clients. Lisa is responsible for monitoring Accord Financial client’s daily needs, which includes ensuring their experience with Accord runs smoothly and effectively. She reviews processes and oversees the client’s funding transactions and collections.   

In addition to these core duties, Lisa is a key team member working on continual system updates, testing and implementation to modernize and streamline Accord’s operations. Before working for Accord, Lisa became fascinated with customer service while working as a supervisor in retail, gaining valuable experience. 

“Lisa brings daily dedication to excellence, lighthearted humor and epitomizes Accord’s core values of Challenging the Status Quo and Being Straight Up,” said Accord US ABL president, Terry Keating.

What advice would you offer to women just starting out in the industry? 

Do not be afraid to offer an opinion or ask a question.  Lots of great ideas come from just brainstorming based on your question.

What do you know now that you wish you knew in the beginning of your career? 

Many would disagree now…but in the earlier part of my career I was much quieter.  I should have been more vocal with my ideas.  I also should have opened to learning different aspects of the job earlier.

What do you enjoy most about your role? Least? 

I like the first few months of a new account.  I like learning how they operate and being part of the process to get them on board.  There is always something new going on.  I enjoy learning about the different industries that are out there and how our clients operate.  Least…I always feel there is more to do/learn and not enough time in the day.  

How do you balance work/personal time?   

This has become more challenging since the Coronavirus.  Before 2020, I would have said I leave work at the office.  When we first transitioned to working from home, I was working out of the living room.  It was much harder to find a stop time.  Once I decided to make a home office out of my extra bedroom, it has become easier.  I do start a little earlier, but I make sure that my evenings and weekends are free to be with family and friends. 

What effect, if any, has working remotely had on your career and/or your industry? What have been the challenges and how have you worked to overcome them? 

Accord was able to transition easily.  My biggest struggle was the overnight change to paperless. After working up funding a certain way for years, you do things out of habit.  Once we went paperless, I had to really think about my steps to be sure I crossed the T’s and dotted the I’s. I think in some ways that was helpful; it made us look at our processes to see the best way to streamline and be more productive.

What do you think work will look like in the post-pandemic world? 

I will be so glad when we are post-pandemic.  I would think most companies will be a form of hybrid.  Most people have a new way of working and may not feel as stressed working from home.  I like the idea that if I need an office, I have one to go to, but for most day-to-day work I can work remotely.  As for business travel, it is not as easy to social distance in those situations.  We are all becoming so accustomed to having our bubble of space. I think that may take a bit longer… but I am sure we will be back!