Lisa Esparza in

Lisa Esparza

Login to view DISC.
EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer at AutoNation
📍 Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, United States

Lisa Esparza is the EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at AutoNation, where she leads human capital strategy. An MBA graduate from UC Irvine, she is an expert in talent management, organizational effectiveness, and transformation. Colleagues describe her as collaborative, inclusive, and a phenomenal, people-first leader.

Outside of her executive role, Lisa is actively involved in community initiatives, particularly those focused on female empowerment. She recently participated in a Habitat for Humanity "Women Build" event, highlighting her commitment to making a meaningful impact beyond the corporate world.

Lisa was recently recognized as one of the Top 50 Women CHROs of 2025 by Women We Admire.

Read the full overview →
Experience
27 Years
Current Role
EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer
Job Level
Leadership
Location
Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, United States
Personality Overview

How Lisa shows up

Communication Style
Decision Approach
Work Preference

Behavioral traits and communication patterns that shape how this person evaluates opportunities, builds trust, and makes decisions in professional settings.

Login to view personality overview.
Priorities

Topics Lisa cares about

Women in Leadership
Lisa was named a Top 50 Women CHRO for 2025 and actively participates in events like Habitat for Humanity's "Women Build, " demonstrating her passion for empowering female leaders.
Culture & Engagement
Her work focuses on creating a great place to work, and she publicly celebrates team members and initiatives that enhance employee recognition and company culture.
+5 more topics Login to view topics
Career

Work history

9-2022
EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer
AutoNation
7-2019 - 6-2022
Chief Human Resources Officer,
Essilor of America
2017 - 2019
Chief Human Resources Officer
Par Pacific Holdings, Inc.
2015 - 2017
Vice President, Corporate Human Resources & Global HR Operations
Celanese
2013 - 2015
Vice President, Talent & Organizational Effectiveness
Celanese
In the press

Media appearances

Lisa Esparza, EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer of AutoNation – Top 10 Admired Women Leaders of 2023. Featured in Pinnacle Women Insights
See now
Lisa Esparza #EVP & #CHRO of AutoNation #transportationservices (Instagram post). Featured in Instagram
+1 more appearances Login to view media
Education
1992 - 1995
Master of Business Administration - MBA
University of California, Irvine - The Paul Merage School of Business
1987 - 1990
Bachelor of Arts - BA
University of California, Los Angeles
1987 - 1990
Bachelor of Arts - BA
UCLA
Social presence
in
Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

DISC behavioral profile

Dominance, influence, steadiness, and calculativeness scores with guidance on how this person prefers to communicate and decide.

Login to view DISC.

Other AutoNation Employees

Explore more public profiles from related professionals.

Ernie Vidal
Ernie Vidal
Director Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
AutoNation
 Zira R.
Zira R.
Corporate Trainer, West Coast
AutoNation
 Alexandra Ramos
Alexandra Ramos
Analyst
AutoNation
JR
Joe Rey
Finance Director / Sales Manager
AutoNation

More profiles

Discover additional public profiles from our index.

John Thompson
John Thompson
CEO
Bloomsburg YMCA
 Charity Coffman
Charity Coffman
Assistant Director of Organizational Learning and Development
Ball State University
KS
Kate Stoss, CCP, PHR
Senior Executive Director, Human Resources
Ball State University
KM
Keith Maddox
Executive Vice President
Delmar Financial Company
Unlock the full playbookSee exactly how to sell to Lisa. Free, 10 seconds.