Lisa Davis' new book

Windermere Press

Lisa Davis’s career is unusual by any standard. It is even more remarkable when viewed through the lens of technology leadership. She has served as chief information officer in the federal government, in higher education and in the private sector, culminating in roles at the US Marshals Service, Georgetown University and Blue Shield of California. That kind of cross-sector leadership is rare.

What is even more uncommon is the sequence. Many CIOs who begin in government or academia find themselves typecast and unable to transition into private sector roles. Davis not only made that transition, she did so after decades in the Department of Defense. “I wound up spending 26 years in the Department of Defense,” she reflected, noting how those early experiences shaped her leadership approach. Her eventual move into corporate roles, including as a general manager at Intel, represents a path few have successfully navigated.

Why Write the Book Now

Davis’s new book, The Only Woman in the Room, is both a personal reflection and a leadership guide. The timing was intentional. After stepping away from full-time operating roles in early 2025, she saw an opportunity to distill decades of experience into something enduring.

“I’ve been thinking about writing a book for several years,” she explained. “When I made a decision to stop being a full-time operator, I decided to say, ‘This is the time.’” The book captures the lessons she gathered through mentoring, sponsorship and leadership across sectors.

What distinguishes the work is its candor. Davis leans into vulnerability, sharing the moments that shaped her. “That was the vulnerable part,” she said, referring to the personal stories. “What made me the leader that I am today and what influenced my style of leadership as I went through that journey.”

Navigating a System That Has Not Kept Pace

At the core of Davis’s perspective is a critique of the modern workplace. She argues that the system itself has not evolved to reflect today’s realities. “The workplace was created after World War II,” she said. “If we advance to today, that is not the reality of where we stand.”

Her point is not abstract. It is grounded in lived experience. From caregiving challenges to structural barriers, Davis highlights how the system continues to disadvantage many women. At the same time, she is careful to frame the book as broadly relevant. “This is a leadership book,” she emphasized. “How to lead in this environment.”

Importantly, she sees male readers as essential to the conversation. “Many men that I talk to, just like you said to me, ‘Wow, I never thought of it like that,’” she noted. The goal is not division but awareness and ultimately change.

Power, Rest and the Realities of Leadership

Among the nine principles Davis outlines in her book, several stand out for their practical implications. One is power, a concept she believes is often misunderstood or avoided, particularly by women. “Power dynamics are happening in the room whether you choose to participate or not,” she said.

Rather than shying away from power, Davis encourages leaders to study it. Who influences decisions. Who commands attention. These are learnable dynamics. She challenges the notion of executive presence as something innate, arguing instead that it can be developed and should be evaluated based on outcomes, not perception.

Another principle, rest, reflects a lesson learned the hard way. “Most of us as executives think about rest after everything else is done,” she said. For Davis, the consequences of that mindset became personal, culminating in health challenges that forced a reassessment. She now views rest as a leadership capability. “The more rested I am, the more levelheaded I become. I have better decision making.”

Wealth, Opportunity and Structural Tradeoffs

Davis also addresses financial literacy and wealth building, topics she believes are underemphasized. Her own transition from government and academia into the private sector exposed her to compensation structures she had not previously encountered. “This whole new world opened up about what a full compensation package looks like,” she said.

She is particularly focused on helping women understand the long-term implications of career decisions. Stepping away from the workforce, even temporarily, can have compounding financial consequences. “There is a financial consequence to that decision that compounds over the rest of your entire career,” she explained.

Her broader point is clear. Financial independence is not just a personal goal but a societal lever. “If every woman in this world was financially independent, we would have a very different world,” she hypothesized.

Looking Ahead with Realism and Optimism

Despite the challenges she outlines, Davis remains optimistic. She sees progress in the next generation and in the growing awareness of systemic issues. “I think it starts with awareness,” she said, pointing to the importance of education and dialogue, which she hopes her book will play a part in fostering.

At the same time, she does not minimize the work ahead. From declining representation in some STEM fields to underrepresentation in AI leadership, the gaps are significant. Her call to action is direct: more voices, more participation and more intentional leadership.

Ultimately, Davis’s career and her book are both about expanding what is possible. Her journey across government, academia and the private sector is not just rare, it is instructive. It demonstrates that the boundaries many assume are fixed can, in fact, be crossed and that doing so can shape not only a career but an entire leadership philosophy.

Peter High is President of Metis Strategy, a business and IT advisory firm. He has written three bestselling books, including his latest Getting to Nimble. He also moderates the Technovation podcast series and speaks at conferences around the world. Follow him on X @PeterAHigh.