If you think business operations is all about prioritizing process over people, then you haven’t met Lisa McCrae. The director of business operations for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and recipient of the 2024 President’s Our Common Ground Staff Award, roots all she does from a place of helping others. In her 17 years at UVM, Lisa has gained the respect of those she’s worked with and earned a reputation as a supportive and responsible advocate and changemaker.  

Lisa joined UVM in 2008 as a part-time administrative assistant within Extension. The four-day-a-week position was a good entry point back into the workforce after dedicating several years to caring for her young children. Over time, Lisa took on different roles that benefited from her human-centered approach and skills. Her ability to coordinate complex processes, untangle bureaucratic webs, and illuminate paths forward helped her team and colleagues move through challenging transitions, including the reintegration of UVM Extension into CALS in 2018. 

“My goal was always to bring people along with respect and empathy,” she reflects. Lisa’s colleagues affirm that she was a critical guide for this transition. She helped knit together decentralized units, gently guiding structural shifts toward more unified systems without losing the values and distinct character that defines Extension. 

As her career at UVM progressed, Lisa also pursued her own learning, earning a master’s degree in counseling. She chose to integrate her training into her supervisory role rather than change course professionally, using what she learned to strengthen her communication, empathy, and leadership. “I made the decision to use my skills in my supervisory role,” she says, sharing that she even wound up interning on the job. “That experience definitely comes in handy.” 

Today, Lisa draws on that clinical training to skillfully navigate the complex middle space of her role, including translating institutional directives into manageable steps for her team and those they serve. Longtime colleague and professor of agricultural engineering Chris Callahan notes this is a challenging space to occupy, as the position is often perceived “as either a bearer of information or a gatekeeper.” Lisa jokingly likens her role to “a squirrel on the interstate,” but Chris insists she approaches it with far more composure: “She does it with grace, respect, and a focus on the shared goals,” he says. 

In conversations and in action, Lisa always returns to the value of helping others. “Sometimes that means assisting with a process or policy,” she says. “Other times it means giving honest feedback or being accountable. It all comes from a place of wanting to support people.” 

Stephanie Dion, assistant dean in CALS, sees this commitment in every aspect of Lisa’s work: “Lisa is a connector, and her innovative spirit drives progress and transformation in everything she does. Her ability to listen and value different perspectives enriches the fabric of our community and inspires greatness in all of us.” 

That care and concern extend far beyond her professional role. For years, Lisa has volunteered with a local Community Justice Center in St. Johnsbury—where she was born and still resides—supporting individuals reentering society after incarceration. 

“I believe we’re all better than our worst mistake,” Lisa says. “It’s really terrific to have a volunteer opportunity where I get to walk that walk instead of just talking the talk.” 

With a perspective rooted in empathy, second chances, and action, Lisa has been able to build trust and community among her colleagues across the state. “She creates a safe space for individuals to share their experiences and challenges,” says Christi Sherlock, a member of the CALS/Extension business support team. “Her passion for social justice is evident in everything she does, and her impact reaches far beyond the walls of the university.” 

Whether it’s advocating for her team or streamlining a business process, Lisa’s work is marked by integrity and intention. “It’s a balancing act,” says UVM’s tax manager Melanie Rodjenski. “Lisa actively seeks to bring people together, promote diverse perspectives, and foster creativity while remaining dedicated to ethical practices and fairness. When a proposed path results in an injustice to an individual, she stands firm.”