

For decades, I've worked with leaders of organizations to build the teams, the talent, and the organization needed to succeed in their markets and the broader environment. I've found that an organization's success is a combination of commitment to learning, the ability and willingness to change, and disciplined execution. Common goals and shared understanding are critical building blocks. Getting this context right allows us to develop and promote the talent and ideas that sow the seeds for current and future performance.
Elise Walton is a principal at Pearl Meyer. She specializes in advising on corporate governance, strategic organization design, change management, and executive leadership. Her recent work includes projects on board assessment, governance and organization design, CEO evaluation and succession planning, and executive leadership development, in both the public and not-for-profit sectors.
Before joining Pearl Meyer, Elise was a principal at Board Compass and a senior partner at Oliver Wyman (formerly Mercer Delta, LLC.) and Delta Group Consulting where she led major projects and served as the corporate governance practice leader.
As a published author, her work includes contributed book chapters, as well as articles in publications such as The New York Times, American Psychologist, The Corporate Board, The Conference Board, Consulting Magazine, Harvard Business Review, and Annual Review of Psychology. She has presented at several conferences, meetings, and forums, including those of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), Yale Governance Forum, American Bar Association, Harvard Kennedy School Women’s Leadership Board, Kravis-de Roulet Conference, Conference Board HR Leadership Council, and the Human Resource Planning Society.
Elise has taught in the executive MBA programs of Columbia University, the NYU Stern School, and the Yale School of Management. She has served as a director on the Harvard Kennedy School’s Women’s Leadership Board, Scarsdale Congregational Church, YMCA of the Adirondacks, LCE, and beWasteWise.
Elise received a BA from Bowdoin College, an MA from Columbia University Teachers College, and a PhD jointly from Harvard University and Harvard Business School.