Leading With Empathy and Strategy: Building Mission-Driven Government Solutions

Lisa Mascolo is the CEO of Voyatek, a public sector technology firm. With over 30 years of experience in IT leadership, she has held senior roles at IBM, where she led the U.S. Public Service business unit and was a Founding Partner at Accenture, where she managed major federal government accounts. Lisa is also a board member for educational nonprofits and organizations supporting the advancement of women and disadvantaged individuals.

In this episode…

Many mid-market company leaders find it challenging to integrate acquisitions, build unified teams, and create meaningful cultures while staying mission-focused. The stakes heighten when private equity gets involved, especially in government service sectors. How can leaders navigate post-merger integration while preserving purpose, empowering teams, and delivering outcomes?

Seasoned executive and leadership developer Lisa Mascolo has led multiple mission-driven organizations through change. She explains the role of empathetic leadership, consistent communication, and culture-building in building a strong organizational foundation. Involving employees directly in integration — rather than outsourcing — fosters alignment and ownership. Lisa has also developed an IDEA (Involvement, Decency, Empathy, and Accountability) cultural framework, which anchors team behavior and decision-making in complex environments. 

In this episode of Growth + Exit, Susan Kearney sits down with Lisa Mascolo, CEO of Voyatek, to discuss leadership, employee integration, and building a mission-driven culture. Lisa shares how her early exposure to public service shaped her career, why listening precedes leadership, and how she united two companies post-acquisition.