In 1984 Lisa Beatty attended orientation at UNF with her grandfather since
her parents lived in Tennessee at the time. The orientation for UNF’s first
freshman class was so “warm and welcoming” that her grandfather, now 94, “still
talks about what a great day it was.” The day was the beginning of an
educational experience propelling Beatty to a successful career in
communications.
As a vice president with St. John & Partners Advertising and Public
Relations, Beatty has worked with some of the most recognizable names in the
business world. Bank of America, Capital One and Johnson & Johnson
Care/Vistakon are a few of the companies that have been her clients.
After more than a dozen years with the firm, Beatty is now shifting into a
fascinating new area attempting to gain valuable insight into the mind of the
consumer. “The agency is forming a consumer insight group dedicated to
identifying ways businesses can stay more connected to their customers.”
Since brand loyalty “waxes and wanes” Beatty is excited about the change
because it allows her to move away from the traditional day-to-day account
management concept to a business model more focused on exploring new
opportunities as opposed to executing against known ones.
The transition into new job responsibilities highlights a career that started
with a UNF internship at the Duval County School Board. She made connections
there resulting in a job offer at American Express before graduation. That led
to positions at Koger Properties and CSX before she accepted an offer at St.
John & Partners.
While climbing the career ladder, Beatty also manages to balance a family
life. She and her husband, John, have been married almost 22 years. Also a UNF
graduate, he is a professional artist. One of her husband’s paintings hangs in
Beatty’s office. Others are on display at the Fogel Art Gallery. The couple has
a 9-year-old daughter, Hannah, who loves to write and paint like her
parents.
Beatty has been active in the community, serving as president of the
Jacksonville chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators
as well as working with the Children’s Home Society and the National Conference
of Christian and Jews.
Her volunteer activities actually started at UNF where Beatty worked with the
Student Government Association in planning many campus events. “I had a lot of
fun and it helped me develop my event-planning skills.” Even after graduation,
Beatty stayed in touch with UNF through her participation in the UNF Alumni
Association.
Beatty has advice for UNF students and alumni. “Find a way to give back to
UNF. Whether through financial support, employing interns or speaking to
classes, just find some way to make an impact.”
She is also passionate about education. “Encourage kids to be lifelong
learners. It is up to each of us to teach kids by example and show the
importance of being passionate and purposeful in what we do. Life is too short
and work is too hard not to love what you do.”
