Lisa Erickson smiles in a professional headshot wearing a black blazer against a white background.

Executive Spotlight: Lisa Erickson of Medica

Monday, April 13, 2026

From Pillsbury and General Mills to Best Buy to Optum, Lisa Erickson, ’97 MBA, spent 25 years rising up the ranks of Twin Cities-based companies before she landed at Medica, where she now serves as president and CEO. Through this journey, she says, she has learned to be resilient and adapt her skills to different industries while continuously striving to lead with impact. Erickson recently shared her insights with Minnesota Carlson:

 

What advice would you give to current Carlson students?

I would never have laid out the path that I’ve had in my career, nor would I have ever thought it was possible. So, the advice I would give is to get started. You might not absolutely love your first job, but every experience is valuable, and some of the best experiences I had were in jobs that seemed the least likely. When I went to Best Buy, I went into kind of an off-the-beaten-track corporate finance role ... but I got opportunities in that role that I would never have gotten anywhere else.

Sometimes, you can’t anticipate what you’re going to learn, but just take opportunities and ask yourself: Will you be challenged? Can you contribute and add value, and will you continue to learn? And if you answer yes to those things, I would say embrace change, embrace opportunities and lean in. 

 

Key Takeaways

  • Rise to CEO: Lisa Erickson, ’97 MBA, used her business degree to rise the ranks, eventually becoming the CEO of Medica.
  • Twin Cities Connection: Erickson also worked at General Mills, Best Buy and Optum, which are all based in the Twin Cities.
  • Lasting Lessons: She credits Minnesota Carlson for honing her confidence and collaboration skills.
Lisa Erickson pets a therapy dog wearing a service vest at a Medica office event.
Lisa Erickson visits with Digs, a service dog trained by a Medica employee in the company’s Madison, Wisconsin, office. Photo Courtesy: Medica

What did you learn at Carlson that you still use at work today? 

The willingness to jump in, to stay curious and to have the confidence to ask questions. People often say there are no dumb questions. Honestly, that’s true. Most of the time, when you ask questions, everybody else has the same question. There’s also the teamwork and collaboration that were a critical part of all the coursework at Carlson. My experience there, along with my experience at different companies, gave me the confidence that I can walk into any situation and be successful.
 

What leadership principles do you live by?

What’s incredibly important for me, and I think for other leaders, is staying curious, really focusing on how you’re enabling or empowering your team to be successful, and demonstrating a high level of accountability and ownership.

Spring 2026 alumni magazine cover

This article appeared in the Spring 2026 alumni magazine

In the world of business, Minnesota Carlson and its vibrant community act as a powerful spark for action and change.

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