From her early ambitions of working on the trading floor to leading technology innovation and culture change at Logicalis Australia, Lisa Fortey’s career reflects curiosity, courage, and a readiness to say yes to opportunities. Her journey has taken her across countries, continents, and industries, shaped by both a competitive drive and a passion for people, ultimately leading to her current role as general manager of Logicalis Australia.
Q. You grew up in New Zealand and originally had your sights set on banking. Can you share more about those early ambitions and how your journey unfolded from there?
A. I studied commerce at Auckland University and majored in marketing, driven by a fascination with the chaos of trading floors and the thought that I would thrive in such a high-pressure environment. It was the combination of competitiveness, problem-solving, and numbers that attracted me. I never quite made it to the trading floor, though my degree gave me a full understanding of business processes and helped me appreciate how all parts of a business connect.
My parents gave me a ticket to travel after I finished university, and that gift opened the door to new opportunities. Like many New Zealanders, I wanted to experience more of the world, so I spent time in the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) before settling in London on a working holiday visa. That choice set the tone for my career: be curious, explore, and take opportunities when they arise.
Q. Travel and global experiences seem to have played a big role in your career. How did working in London, Boston, and Melbourne shape your path?
A. London was my first big step. I joined Citigroup in the emerging markets division as a project coordinator in 1997 and worked on initiatives like building a portal for business banking, which was quite ahead of its time. It gave me a taste of how global projects run and what it meant to coordinate across regions and cultures. That experience sparked my interest in technology and innovation, even before I realised where it might lead me.
From there, I moved to Melbourne in 1999 to join a start-up run by one of my former managers. We created rechargeable phone cards for travellers, partnering with organisations like Lonely Planet and Qantas. I stepped into the chief operating officer (COO) role, building business processes, raising funding, and setting up a UK office. It was an intense learning experience in how to scale and sustain a business. I took a new role after a couple of years and moved to Boston, which brought its own challenges, especially as it was in the aftermath of September 11. The visa process was long and difficult, and eventually I made the decision to come back to Australia after reconnecting with my former manager and securing a new role. Each move taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of knowing when to pivot.
Q. There are a lot of significant moves on that list. Looking back, what do you consider your most courageous career choice?
A. Moving to Boston at 25 without really questioning it was probably the most courageous decision I made; even more so when you consider the geopolitical climate at that moment. It was a huge leap into the unknown and, once I was there, I realised just how far out of my comfort zone I’d stepped. I had to build a new network, adapt to new ways of working, and navigate uncertainty at a global level. That experience stretched me both personally and professionally.
Another courageous choice came later, when I transitioned from operations and contracting into sales and technology. It wasn’t an obvious move, though I knew I wanted to challenge myself in a new way. Saying yes to those opportunities has always been my philosophy: if you don’t take them, they won’t come again. That mindset has carried me through every stage of my career.
Q. It’s a career that has spanned sales, operations, and leadership. What drove you to pursue roles in technology and, ultimately, leadership at Logicalis?
A. I’ve always been competitive and drawn to solving problems, which made sales a natural fit. Over time, I realised I wanted to expand my impact beyond just meeting targets. I saw the opportunity to build something bigger at Logicalis, supporting customers with complex needs while helping to grow and transform the business.
What ultimately drove me into leadership was encouragement from others. A former sales director saw potential in me that I hadn’t recognised myself. I initially said no, thinking I wasn’t ready, though they reminded me that women often wait until they feel fully prepared, whereas men tend to just jump in. That advice stuck with me. Taking on leadership roles has been challenging, yet it’s also been the most rewarding part of my career.
Q. What lessons have you learned about leadership and the people side of business along the way?
A. Leadership is about discipline, motivation, and showing up consistently; however, it’s also about creating space for others to thrive. I’ve learned the value of honest feedback, even when it’s uncomfortable, and the importance of building a culture that prioritises outcomes over hours. Our leadership team at Logicalis has been focused recently on reducing unnecessary meetings, prioritising time, and equipping people with the skills and space to look after themselves as well as their work. Small changes like shortening meetings and encouraging more focused collaboration make a big difference.
Leadership is also about culture change for me. I want to inspire people and create an environment where they can grow, and seeing that transformation across Logicalis has been incredibly motivating. It reinforces the idea that leadership isn’t about one person; it’s about empowering a whole team.
Q. You’ve spoken about innovation and technology evolving at a rapid pace. What excites you most about the opportunities in IT right now?
A. Technology is moving faster than ever, and that pace excites me. During COVID-19, we saw just how critical IT was in keeping businesses running and people connected. Now, innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) and data is introducing whole new opportunities for efficiency and transformation. Wrapping cybersecurity around those innovations is essential, and it’s an area where we’re seeing both challenges and exciting possibilities.
What’s most compelling for me is how these advancements can help solve real-world problems. The scope is enormous, whether it’s using AI for automation, creating digital twins, or reimagining customer service through chatbots. For me, the future of IT is not just about technology; it’s about how we apply it to make businesses smarter, safer, and more adaptable.
Q. Logicalis is already investing heavily in innovation. How do you see this shaping the organisation and its customers?
A. Modern tools let us operate more efficiently internally; however, more importantly, they let us bring fresh solutions to our customers. We’re working with customers to identify practical, secure use cases that deliver measurable value, especially in enterprise environments where governance can sometimes slow adoption.
We’re embedding innovation into everything we do, down to finance and billing automation. It’s the same for the companies we partner with as well, including Recognition. We took the AI-driven competitor analysis we received from Recognition and have already started feeding it into our large language models (LLMs) for a greater understanding of the market and our position in it.
Innovation is also about culture. Our CEO recently launched an Asia Pacific (APAC) innovation challenge, encouraging teams across the region to experiment and propose new ideas. That mindset of curiosity, testing, and learning is what will shape both our organisation and the value we deliver to customers in the years ahead.
Q. Mentorship and supporting the next generation clearly matter to you. Can you share more about the programs you’re involved in and why this is important?
A. Mentoring has absolutely been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. At Logicalis, I’ve mentored graduates, including one who started as an intern and is now a full-time engineer; seeing that progression is inspiring. I’ve also sponsored women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs and supported initiatives like Grad Girls, which introduce young women to the variety of careers available in IT beyond coding, such as finance, sales, human resources (HR), and marketing.
Logicalis also runs work experience programs for schools, giving students exposure to real-world use cases like AI and digital twins. Building those connections early is critical. It’s not just about filling today’s pipeline of talent; it’s about creating pathways for future generations to see themselves in this industry.
Q. Every industry has its challenges, and technology is no exception. If you could solve one systemic problem in your industry, what would it be, and how would you start?
A. Without question, the biggest change I’d make is getting more women into technology. It’s both a pipeline issue that starts in schools and a cultural issue shaped by outdated perceptions of what tech careers look like for me. Too often, girls don’t see themselves in this industry, and that lack of representation continues right through to leadership. If we don’t fix that, we risk missing out on so much talent and diversity of thought.
The biggest change must happen at the grassroots level. Science and maths are standard, yet many schools, especially independent schools, still don’t offer broader STEM subjects. That must change so girls can see early on that IT is more than sitting in a dark room coding. It’s an industry that touches every function, from strategy to people management, and it will only keep evolving.
Industry also has a role to play. Vendors, partners, and organisations need to share stories, show visible role models, and support systemic change through sponsorship and mentoring. It takes collective effort to break down stereotypes and build confidence among women considering IT careers. If we can do that, we’ll create a richer, more diverse talent pool.
Q. Learning and taking on new experiences seem key in your career path, and lifelong learning is a value we share at Recognition PR and Marketing. What role has continuous learning played in your success?
A. I’ve always been fascinated by learning, and I believe it’s essential to staying relevant in this industry. I have been fortunate to take part in leadership programs run by our global Logicalis team, which continues to broaden my perspective and skills. I also make time for learning through conferences, internal book clubs, and conversations with colleagues. Reading The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins when I moved into leadership helped me approach challenges with structure, and I’ve kept revisiting its lessons.
Continuous learning doesn’t have to be formal. Some of the best insights come from smart colleagues and mentors. Staying curious, asking questions, and being willing to adapt are the traits that have kept me moving forward in every role I’ve had.
Q. When you reflect on your journey so far, what advice would you share with others who want to build a successful career in marketing, sales, or technology?
A. My biggest piece of advice is to always say yes. Don’t wait until you feel ready, because you’ll never feel 100 per cent ready. Take the opportunities when they come, and you’ll learn along the way. If you don’t take them, they may not come again.
I also believe in staying curious and open to growth. Each experience, whether it feels like a success or a setback at the time, adds to your skillset and perspective. It’s also important to surround yourself with people who challenge and support you. No one builds a career alone; it takes mentors, peers, and teams to help you grow, and the best thing you can do is make the most of those relationships.
