Founder, The Great Exhale™ | Award-Winning Activist | Entrepreneur & Speaker | Top 10 LinkedIn Creator in Inclusion & Diversity | Judge, The Anthem Awards | Forbes Featured | #ActuallyAutistic | INFJ | 🇧🇧🇯🇲🇹🇹🇺🇸

Lisa Hurley is a five-time Anthem Award-winning author, activist, podcaster, second-generation Reiki Master, and rest advocate. Her work centers Black women, and converges at the nexus of self care, community care, joy, and rest. Through her writing, speaking, and community-building, Lisa champions soft living for Black women. 

Hurley is the author of Space To Exhale, a transformational book created to help people beat burnout, embrace rest, and curate a soft life. Part memoir, part manifesto, part meditation guide, Space To Exhale is a self-help book that inspires readers to practice the pause and take time to exhale.

As a champion of rest for Black women, Lisa is the founder of The Great Exhale, a global virtual community dedicated to sisterhood, serenity, and soft living. TGE offers curated rituals, inspiring affirmations, and healing conversations for those ready to say no to hustle culture and yes to a life of ease. It is a healing hub where Black women can relax, lay their burdens down—and exhale.

An Executive Member IADAS, Lisa is also a board member of Yuvoice, and a Juror for the Anthem Awards. A respected figure, she has been honored as one of the Top 20 Entrepreneurs to follow on LinkedIn, voted as one of LinkedIn’s Top 50 Black Creators, and recognized as one of the Top 10 Anti-Discrimination Activists in the world. In addition, Lisa has been honored by Hush Loudly as an Introvert to Watch, and as one of pocstock's Future of Black America Top 50 Leaders. As a result of her activism, her thought leadership has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Adweek, and more. 

With a passion for speaking out that belies her natural introversion, Lisa is a prolific podcaster. In addition to being the Host and Executive producer of Space To Exhale: The Podcast, a five star-rated show that focuses on self care for Black women, she is also the Co-Founder & Co-Host of The Introvert Sisters Podcast, and a former Co-Host of The Tea on Tap podcast. 

With a strong belief in good vibes, Lisa is known for her inspiring affirmations on TikTok. In her free time, she enjoys bonding with her family, reading a good book, and expressing her creativity through fashion.

Of Caribbean heritage (Barbados, Trinidad, and Jamaica), Lisa is a world traveler with an understandable preference for warmer climes. Her love languages are sunshine, laughter, and naps.

Ready to exhale?
📚 Learn more, and order Space To Exhale: www.spacetoexhalebook.com
🎙️ Listen to Space To Exhale: The Podcast: bit.ly/STEPodcastOnSpotify
🔗 Stay connected: https://linktr.ee/lisahurley

Lisa Hurley

Mom x7 | 'Not the HR Lady’ | NASA Astrophysics IDEA Consultant | Int'l Keynote Speaker | 13-Year 'People' Executive | Film Festival Board Member | Producer | Singer | Queer

For the past 20 years, I’ve been challenging outdated leadership models, pushing industries to rethink how we work, lead, and grow. Whether in the boardroom, on stage, or behind the scenes, I bring a bold, funny and results-driven approach to leadership, workplace culture, and 'People' that actually moves the needle... not just checks the box.

I’ve built teams. I’ve led companies. I’ve transformed cultures. I've strengthened leaders.

And now... I'm going Out of Office and into workplaces around the world... and I'm bringing you with me! 

Not the HR Lady is Out of Office - Streaming March 2026.

WHAT I DO

🎤 Keynote Speaking & Executive Coaching

💡 Leadership & People Strategy Coaching & Retreats

✈️ Work Travel Expert & Storytelling Influencer 

WHERE YOU’VE SEEN ME

📌 The Wall Street Journal – Corporate Culture
📌 Forbes – Leadership & Social Impact
📌 Business Insider – The Great Resignation & Workplace Burnout
📌 The New York Post – Workplace Harassment on LinkedIn
📌 Newsweek – Toxic Bosses & Remote Work
📌 Success Magazine – Supporting Neurodivergent Employees & Layoffs on LinkedIn
📌 Money Magazine – Asking for a Raise
📌 Yahoo! Finance – Multigenerational Workforce & Frequent Flyer Tips
📌 SHRM – Talent Acquisition & Hiring in Alternative Industries
📌 High Times – Cannabis Culture in the Workplace
📌 American Express – Bleisure Travel as a Wellness Strategy

RECOGNITION & INFLUENCE

🏆 Top HR & DEI Influencer – Recognized by multiple industry & media outlets
🏆 LinkedIn Community Top Voice – Leadership & Team Building
🏆 Host of Not the HR Lady – One of the Top HR & Leadership Podcasts
🏆 North American Judge – Inspiring Workplaces Awards 2024, 2025 & 2026

WHY WORK WITH ME?

I spent 15 years as a Chief People Officer, served as a NASA IDEA Board Member, and built leadership strategies for global brands. I know how to fix problems and create real, lasting solutions... and I'm a lot of fun.

So, if you're tired of meaningless initiatives, and leadership that doesn’t actually lead, let’s talk. It’s time to do better, feel better, and BE better.

Visit: NotTheHRLady.com to learn more!

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