PROFILE
Lisa Cox is an award-winning corporate advertiser, author, TEDx speaker, and internationally acclaimed disability advocate.
Known for her rousing public speaking style and insightful business acumen, Lisa is changing social attitudes towards disability, and helping reshape the way it’s represented in the industries that shape our perceptions.
Rebranding Disability: Lisa’s (Accessible) Path Forward
Nearly two decades ago, Lisa had a successful career in corporate advertising agencies. She had two university degrees – and her life planned out – when the proverbial unexpectedly hit the fan.
She acquired multiple visible and invisible disabilities and, medically speaking, died twice in hospital.
That’s where the fun really started!
Lisa knew she couldn’t change her permanent disabilities. But, equipped with a strong business, communications and media background – and fuelled by determination and caffeine – Lisa knew there was something she could change.
She could help influence the powerful industries that play such large and pivotal roles in shaping public perception – particularly around disability.
Rewriting outdated narratives: Lisa’s approach
As an agency copywriter, Lisa created visibility for her clients’ products, and messages. Today, she still does this but applies those razor-sharp communication skills to create visibility for disability, and teaches other creatives how to do the same.
(Hint: it’s far more nuanced than you might think.)
That first time Lisa became unwell, she wasn’t supposed to live through the night. But she did – and she’s still defying expectations: rewriting outdated narratives and breaking down the stigmas and barriers surrounding disability.
Today, Lisa collaborates with peak disability organisations and individuals, as well as some of the world’s most influential industries. Their goal? To create systemic, long-lasting change.
Taking a solutions-focused approach, Lisa works alongside business leaders – helping them to navigate the nuances of disability inclusion.
Speaker, advocate, professional, leader: Lisa’s roles
As a speaker, Lisa delivers rousing keynote addresses, exclusive fireside conversations, masterclass events, and game-changing workshops.
The common thread? Confidential, judgement-free exchanges that consistently deliver results.
As an advocate for strategic inclusive advertising and disability rights, Lisa is driving a dynamic, distinctive discourse around disabilities.
As a professional, Lisa is harnessing her years spent writing and strategising for acclaimed publications, as well as high-profile national and international brands. Which makes her an invaluable addition to events seeking an intersectional perspective.
And as a leader, Lisa is rallying organisations and individuals to rethink societal attitudes towards people with disabilities. And pave a path towards positive, sustainable social change.
Blending the professional with the personal: Lisa’s goal
A powerful communicator – on the stage and page – Lisa’s always been motivated by the transformative power of words. She’s used them to craft campaigns for national and international brands in top advertising agencies.
Today, Lisa’s a freelance writer and consultant. She works with different types of agency creatives – plus other content creators, strategists, and marketers – who share her vision for change. To dive deep into the topics that, in the past, have ended up in the ‘too hard basket’.
Changemaker, thought leader:
Lisa’s awards
Lisa’s hard-hitting blend of authenticity, empathy and unbridled passion makes her a powerful speaker. And her work has earnt her recognition at the highest levels.
Before acquiring disabilities, Lisa had won several industry awards for her work. Since then, she’s laid claim to plenty more.
In 2021, Lisa took home the prestigious Gold Stevie at the International Business Awards for Communications Professional of the Year.
At the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, Lisa also won two silver and one bronze, respectively, for: Social Changemaker of the Year, Most Innovative Woman of the Year, and Woman of the Year in the Government or Non-Profit categories.
In 2022, Lisa was named a Thought Leader of the Year by an international panel of jurors.
That same year, she was the first recipient of the Australian Awards for Excellence in Leadership (QLD) who identified as having a disability. And was also named by Inside Small Business as one of the Top 50 Small Business Leaders.
Her goal?
To fuse the professional with the personal.
To marry her lived experience – nearly two decades with disabilities – with years spent communicating for top brands and businesses.
To incite systemic, long-lasting change, inspire action and, through her empathetic, engaging presentation style, invite organisations to embrace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for social good and commercial performance.
