Lisa Bettinger-Buckingham often begins with: “I love what I do. We change lives.” With over 4 decades of leadership in human resources, culture, talent, and transformation, she has repeatedly demonstrated how HR, when elevated, becomes a strategic force in business, not just a support function.
From early roles at Thomson Reuters, through 12+ years at Lincoln Financial Group as EVP, Chief People, Place & Brand Officer, to most recently becoming Global Chief People & Culture Officer at Vialto Partners (July 2025 onward) — her career shows deep consistency across global scale, digital transformation, total rewards, employee experience, and brand-driven HR strategy.
She has served on boards, been recognized as a fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources (NAHR) and the HR Policy Institute, been featured on the top CHRO lists from N2Growth and Stanford, and was named HR Executive of the Year in 2017.
1. Early Career & Foundational Expertise
Lisa started her HR career at Thomson Reuters (and predecessor organisations) where she held senior global talent roles including SVP, Global Talent, with accountability for workforce planning, global operations, talent management and learning across more than 53,000 employees in 93 countries.
These early years taught her that transformation begins with deep organisational insight, a readiness to engage people, and a laser-focus on technology, operations and culture—foundations which she built on throughout her career.
2. Lincoln Financial Group: Building HR, Brand & Real Estate as One
At Lincoln Financial Group as EVP, Chief People, Place & Brand Officer, Lisa took on a uniquely broad remit: human resources, corporate brand & communications, CSR and foundation, facilities, aviation, strategic real estate, business continuity and crisis management.
She oversaw large-scale digital transformation efforts, aligning HR with brand, workplace strategy and experience — redefining what an integrated “People + Place + Brand” operating model could achieve. Her leadership at Lincoln earned her HR Executive of the Year in 2017.
3. U.S. Soccer Federation & Vialto Partners: Global Scale & New Horizons
Most recently, Lisa served at the U.S. Soccer Federation as CHRO, where she oversaw talent, culture and the relocation of the headquarters and National Training Center, working with players’ associations and global talent stakeholders.
In July 2025 she joined Vialto Partners as Global Chief People & Culture Officer, overseeing global people strategy and transformation across a highly mobile, globally distributed workforce.
4. Awards, Fellowships & Board Engagement
- HR Executive of the Year (2017)
- Ranked #1 on N2Growth 2025 Leaders40 Top CHRO list.
- Fellow, National Academy of Human Resources (NAHR)
- Fellow, HR Policy Institute
- Distinguished HR Executive Award (2021)
Her board engagements include 4C Digital Health (Chair of Compensation Committee), and nonprofit roles including the Philadelphia Eagles Charitable Foundation (Investment Chair).
5. The Human + Digital Edge
Lisa articulates a clear vision: “keeping the human in human resources while leveraging all appropriate technology to enhance employee and manager experience and success.” Her emphasis on AI, digital HR, total rewards, brand management and culture across global platforms places her squarely at the intersection of people, technology and business strategy.
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