Warmth. Kindness. Support. These are the words that come to mind when spending 5 minutes with Lisa Hills and Faun Zarge, two incredible consultants who focus on Employee Burnout, Talent Development and Organizational Strategy.
I recently met Lisa at The Wing when she approached me about taking headshots for her new website! Within only a few minutes of chatting, I was so blown away by how warm she was and the great conversation we had. The morning of the photoshoot I met Faun and she somehow had even more warmth and joy! Just as we were about to get started, I learned that they were both excited to get their hair done for the photos, but weren’t exactly feeling thrilled to have their photo taken. Meanwhile here I am, thinking they’ve had a million headshots taken and it was just another day for them!! Being able to calm their nerves and make them feel comfortable allowed for a session full of laughter, creativity, and trust, all of which are important aspects I focus on during a session.
To hear more about Lisa, Faun, and their photoshoot experience, keep reading!
1). Tell us a little bit about yourself!
Lisa: Hills Associates is a management consulting firm focused on organizational strategy and talent development. I have been consulting for over 25 years. In addition to refreshing my own look, we are in the process of launching a new platform, WorkingWonders, dedicated to providing solutions to workplace challenges. We want a fresh, engaging look for our new website.
Faun: Originally from Delaware, Boston has been home for nearly 30 years. My husband and I live in Newton and are the parents of three great kids who are now in high school and college. Our busy lives provide me with daily opportunities to put into practice what I teach others in my professional life as an Employee Burnout and Resilience Specialist. For 20+ years, I have been training and coaching employees on a wide array of work/life issues; I work with clients in both the private and non-profit sector, primarily delivering workshops on burnout and other issues that impact work culture (giving/receiving feedback, navigating difficult conversations, building team trust, etc.). I absolutely love this work and find it very gratifying to help people navigate the demands and challenges of their work and personal lives; it’s also very rewarding working with leadership teams and managers who are positioned to most significantly impact day-to-day work experiences and culture. I feel very lucky to do this work (even on the days when I, too, am juggling a bit too much!).
2). Are there any projects you're working on right now/goals you have?
Lisa: Faun Zarge and I met over 27 years ago when Faun was a graduate student. In addition to a very special friendship, we have been wonderful colleagues, partners, mentors, and go-to’s for each other for all of these years.
Faun: Our “how we met” story is pretty unusual because Lisa and I first met when she needed a babysitter for her daughters- a toddler and newborn. I was the graduate student who answered the babysitting ad and showed up at her door to interview for the job! Lisa and her family became like family to me and we stayed in touch after I graduated; eventually her children began babysitting my kids! We started working together occasionally and had such a fun time collaborating professionally that it eventually made sense to begin to formalize it. We have both maintained our own individual businesses but are thrilled to be collaborating on this new initiative and hope that it leads to even more opportunities to work together. Lisa is ridiculously talented and I’m grateful to have her as both a professional partner and a dear friend.
3). Were you nervous for your session?
Lisa: Yes, I was nervous. I’m very self-conscious and do not like having my picture taken. I was long overdue to take new headshots, but I’m so happy I waited to connect with Taylor!
Faun: Very!!!!!
4). What was it like working with Taylor?
Lisa: Taylor is wonderful and I recommend her highly! In addition to her great skill as a photographer, she is beyond a pleasure to work with and made the experience truly fun and memorable. Taylor put us at ease with her positive and warm disposition. I felt she was truly invested in a great outcome and demonstrated great thoughtfulness working with us.
Faun: Taylor couldn’t have been lovelier or more professional. Even as she provided her expert guidance throughout the photo shoot, she paid close attention to our goals for the session and the type of energy we wanted the photos to convey. She also completely understood our pre-photo shoot jitters and did an amazing job calming our nerves; she was the picture of patience and had us laughing throughout the shoot.
5). What do you plan on using your photos for?
Lisa: In addition to using these photos as my updated headshots and on my current website (www.hillsassociates.com), these photos will be used in the launch of our new website, Working Wonders (www.workingwondersforyourteam.com).
Lisa Hills and Faun Zarge | The Wing, Boston, MA | 1. 23. 2020
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