Lisa Jaster is an American soldier, combat engineer, and one of the first three women to graduate the elite United States Army Ranger program in 2015. One of the most difficult combat training courses in the world, Lisa was the first reservist to complete the course. She graduated at age 37, while the average trainee age is 23. Lisa, an athlete focused on strength training and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, has a deeply rooted understanding of the importance of perseverance through continual progress and growth, as well as an ingrained respect for camaraderie and selfless service stemming from a noteworthy active-duty career (including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan).
Prior to receiving her esteemed Ranger tab, Lisa worked as an engineer with Shell Oil in Houston and an Army Reserve individual mobilization augmentee with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Her background in both the military and corporate worlds allows her to connect with any audience to create a memorable experience. Lisa initially was commissioned in the Army in 2000 after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point and returned to the reserves in 2012 after a 5-year hiatus from serving. She volunteered for combat training when she discovered the Army Ranger course was being opened to women for the first time in 60 years as a U.S. government experiment to see how women would fare in the notoriously brutal program. Lisa is the recipient of numerous military accolades including two Bronze Star Medals and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Lisa left active duty in 2007 and started a family and civilian career with Shell but returned to the Army as a reservist in 2012. Lisa holds a BS and MS in Civil Engineering. She is currently a partner in The Talent War Group – a management consulting and executive search firm where she focuses her efforts on training management teams, executive coaching, and keynote speaking. She also works with Leading Authorities, LLC as a keynote speaker. She plans to release her first book, “Delete the Adjective,” at the end of 2022.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Bronze Star x2, Meritorious Service Medal x3, Army Accommodation Medals x 3, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal x2, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Bronze Hour Glass, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon x2, Steel DeFleury, Ranger Tab, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Shell Recognition Awards x 4.
PERSONAL LIFE
Lisa is married to Marine Col. Allan Jaster, also a reservist and principle/owner of the Financial Advising Firm, Archer Consulting. Lisa credits the support of her family as being the reason why she was able to complete her training as a Ranger. In her spare time, she enjoys competing in whatever she can get herself talked into which has ranged from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments and CrossFit Competitions to an Ultra Trail Run and an IronMan. Lisa and Allan have two children together, Zachary and Victoria, and live in New Braunfels, Texas.