Lisa Donn Sergi Trager

LISA DONN SERGI TRAGER, ESQ.

C-Suite Executive  ·  General Counsel  ·  Board Member

20+ years at the
intersection of law, finance
and executive leadership.

About Expertise Industry & NGO Experience Credentials Connect

A B O U T   L I S A

I've spent over two decades operating where consulting, law, finance, and leadership converge. My career has taken me from AmLaw 100 law firms and Big Four advisory to the C-suite of publicly traded and high-growth companies, serving as CEO, CFO, General Counsel, and Board Member, often at the same time.

I've raised $25MM+ in capital for a start-up, negotiated and closed a $642MM cannabis acquisition, taken a company public, secured industry-first debt financing, and guided organizations through federal regulatory crises. I've built financial systems from scratch, restructured operations for efficiency, and led teams that performed when it mattered most.

What distinguishes my practice is breadth and judgment. I bring legal strategy, capital markets, tax structuring, and organizational leadership, and I know how to deploy all of it in service of one clear objective: moving the organization forward.

I am based in Los Angeles and available for executive leadership, board advisory, and consulting engagements across industry and mission-driven sectors.

E X P E R T I S E

Where I add the most value.

Executive Leadership

CEO, CFO, and General Counsel experience with direct P&L ownership, board governance, and enterprise-wide accountability across regulated, high-growth industries.

Capital Markets & Transactions

$25MM+ raised for a start-up over the last five years. $642MM M&A executed. IPO on a public exchange. Senior secured debt. Equity financings. Fund formation. Across the full capital stack.

Legal & Regulatory

Multi-jurisdictional compliance, securities regulation, corporate governance, contract negotiation, and regulatory affairs. Built and managed legal functions across 14-state operational footprints.

Finance & Tax

Financial systems design, budget oversight, tax strategy, and alternative investment tax advisory, including ECI and UBTI structures for institutional investors.

Crisis Navigation

Led organizations through federal regulatory crises, market volatility, and high-stakes industry disruption. Focused on solutions, stakeholder confidence, and organizational stability.

Board Advisory

Served as Board Member with fiduciary responsibility across multiple organizations. Provides strategic counsel to boards navigating growth, governance challenges, and transformational decisions.

B Y   T H E   N U M B E R S

$25MM+Capital Raised
$642MMM&A Transaction Executed
20+ YearsExecutive & Legal Leadership
14Compliance Footprint

W H E R E   I ' M   H E A D E D

Two tracks. One leader.

Lisa brings the same depth of experience to two distinct contexts. Select the one that fits your organization.

For growth-stage and established companies that need executive leadership with the legal, financial, and operational range to operate at the highest level and get deals done.

F O C U S   A R E A S

  • Capital formation and M&A execution
  • IPO readiness and public markets
  • General Counsel and enterprise legal strategy
  • CFO-level financial oversight and systems
  • Crisis management and regulatory navigation
  • Board governance and strategic advisory

For nonprofits and NGOs that need executive leadership with the financial discipline, governance expertise, and strategic vision to advance mission and ensure long-term sustainability.

F O C U S   A R E A S

  • Fundraising strategy and capital development
  • Financial stewardship and budget oversight
  • Board governance and fiduciary leadership
  • Organizational resilience and change management
  • Stakeholder and community engagement
  • Regulatory compliance and ethical leadership

E X P E R I E N C E

From Big Four advisory and AmLaw 100 firms to the C-suite of regulated, high-growth companies, every role in Lisa's career has been defined by enterprise-level accountability and measurable results.

BOARD MEMBER, CFO & GENERAL COUNSEL

The Boston Garden, Boston, MA | 2020 - 2025

Raised $25MM+ in capital, directed four ground-up historic property developments, and led financial strategy and board governance for a multi-state cannabis retail company.

PRESIDENT & CEO, GENERAL COUNSEL & BOARD ADVISOR

PAX Labs, Inc., San Francisco, CA | 2019 - 2020

Led full executive operations through federal regulatory crisis. Launched ERA Pro, earning TIME's Best of CES 2020. Managed compliance across 14 states.

GENERAL COUNSEL & BOARD MEMBER

MedMen Enterprises, LLC (CSE: MMEN), Los Angeles, CA | 2018 - 2019

Executed a $642MM acquisition, an Up-C IPO on the Canadian Securities Exchange, and the cannabis industry's first senior secured debt financing.

SENIOR PRINCIPAL, INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT TAX

Deloitte Tax, LLP, Los Angeles, CA | 2014 - 2018

Lead tax partner for a $30B+ AUM private equity real estate fund, the firm's largest Los Angeles engagement. Advised institutional investors across alternative investment strategies.

PRINCIPAL AND PRACTICE LEADER

Rothstein Kass (merged with KPMG), Los Angeles, CA | 2012 - 2014

Managed the Los Angeles Alternative Investments Tax Practice, generating yearly fees in excess of $25 million and leading a staff of 40+ professionals.

EARLIER CAREER, AMLAW 100 LAW FIRMS

Proskauer Rose, LLP and O'Melveny and Myers, LLP | 2003 - 2010

Built foundational expertise in legal strategy and complex transactions at two leading international law firms. Advised on M&A, fund formation, joint ventures, restructurings, and real estate investments.

C R E D E N T I A L S

JURIS DOCTORATE

UCLA School of Law
Los Angeles, CA

BAR ADMISSION

State of California

BACHELOR OF
ARTS, ECONOMICS

Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

PROFESSIONAL
AFFILIATIONS

American Bar Association,
California State Bar

C O N N E C T

Let's talk about
what's next.

If you're looking for executive leadership, board advisory, or general counsel support, reach out on LinkedIn. That's where I'm most responsive.

Connect on LinkedIn