Lance Descourouez

Los Altos, CA



My business experience

I am the former CEO and General Manager of an international consulting firm and former Director of Training and Consulting. I have worked in 34 countries across three continents with 65 separate industries, as well as consulting for small business to Fortune 100 companies. Currently I serve as an Adjunct Professor in the School of International Service at the American University in Washington, D.C.

My Vistage experience

I have been a Vistage Chair since 1998, named a Master Chair—the highest designation—in 2006, and received Chair Excellence Awards in 2005, 2006 and 2007. I am also a Vistage Expert Resource Speaker (my topic is Global Business Skills) and co-leader of Vistage Chair Training, helping develop new Vistage Chairs.

I am a member the New Chair selection team, which includes conducting Chair candidate video interviews for our region. I have served as a coach to many local Chairs.

My Vistage groups

My groups include members who represent the following industries: high-tech, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, service, retail, staffing, consulting and even not-for-profit. Currently the group is 1/3 female and 2/3 male.

I am committed to assisting business owners, chief executives and key executives to become better leaders who achieve better results. These results translate into more successful lives—working fewer hours, making more money and enjoying more satisfying interpersonal relationships.

Who is the “ideal” Vistage member?

We look for three elements in prospective members:

  1. A hunger to take themselves and their businesses to the next level
  2. A readiness to move beyond the status quo and challenge themselves and other members
  3. A commitment to integrity and caring, and a readiness to give and receive feedback

More about Lance Descourouez

I have a B.A. in Clinical Psychology and Theatre from Loyola University, and an M.A. in Cross-Cultural Psychology and an M.S. in Organization Development, both from American University in Washington, D.C. I am currently an Adjunct Professor in Organization Development at the School of Public Affairs, American University.

In addition to spending time with my wife of 18 years and my two wonderful children, Andrew John and Mary Grace, I enjoy traveling, teaching, acting, scuba diving, playing and coaching soccer and baseball. I also play the piano and write short stories.