Vale Lisa Ronson: Industry Remembers “Not Only One of the Best Marketers, Probably the Nicest Too”

The industry has remembered one of Australia’s best and highest-profile CMOs as a kind, enthusiastic, and vibrant wife, mother, marketer, mentor, and friend. 

Lisa Ronson, Medibank’s chief marketing officer, died on Saturday after an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident on her farm, known as Vale Hill House, in Victoria. She was 52, and is survived by her husband Chris Taylor and son Ben. 

In a statement provided to the Herald Sun, Chris said the “tragic accident, so unexpected, stole her from us far too soon, interrupting a life that was as vibrant as it was meaningful.”

Chris is also a marketer who has held CMO roles at the likes of the Heart Foundation and Movember. He said his wife was “the love of my life, my inspiration and greatest supporter … I am lost without her.

“The sudden loss of our beloved Lisa has left us in profound shock, with words falling short of capturing the depth of our grief.

“Our hearts are broken beyond words. Yet, in our sorrow, we hold onto the memories of her spirit, her smile, laughter, and the love she so generously shared.

“May her beautiful soul rest in peace.”

They bought Vale Hill House in 2019, and launched a new website for the property near Daylesford and Ballarat just a week and a half ago. Lisa took pride in the sprawling gardens, and loved the many animals who lived there, including her dogs, sheep, and alpaca. 

“Together we poured our hearts into creating a home in the countryside, a place she cherished and took such pride in – a sanctuary filled with love, shared laughter, and the joy of family and friends,” Chris said.

“Lisa was in a season of happiness, thriving in a job she adored and surrounded by people she deeply cared for.

“Her future was of endless possibilities, an exciting journey she embraced with boundless enthusiasm.”

Lisa had joined Medibank as chief marketing officer just four months ago, saying at the time of her appointment she was “so looking forward to joining the team. It ticked my three boxes of great people, great culture and great purpose.”

Renowned marketing professor Mark Ritson called her “not only one of the best marketers, probably the nicest too. Had only good things to say about everybody. What a loss.”

Rob Campbell, the chief strategy officer at Medibank’s creative agency, Colenso, wrote a blog post paying tribute to Lisa. 

“I actually wrote to her last Wednesday to tell her the huge impression she had made on her team, our team and me.

“I don’t know why I did it, I just felt compelled to … and she responded the following day with genuine shock and gratitude. 

“Shock that people felt that way about her. Grateful that someone had told her that they do.

"We were due to catch up later this week and talk about her impending trip to NZ to visit us at Colenso but then on Sunday, we heard the worst possible news and we – like many others in the industry – were left shaken, upset and very, very sad.”

She was also a director at Wheelchair Rugby Australia. Chair Steve Loader said, “Although she had an incredibly busy professional life, Lisa generously gave her time and energy to WRA to assist whenever and wherever possible. Lisa made an impact on everyone she met and will be missed by all.”

Lisa was best known for her CMO roles at Tourism Australia and Coles. At the former, she led the Dundee reboot campaign for the Super Bowl and spent four years managing a team of 60 and a $100 million budget.

The AANA board said it was "truly devastated to hear of the tragic passing of our good friend and colleague, Lisa Ronson, taken from us way too soon."

"Few have impacted our industry and its people more than Lisa," the board said in a statement. "She leaves behind a legacy of outstanding work, talented teams, and strong friendships across the industry. Lisa was a tireless advocate for marketing, our industry and building up the people around her. Her passion for developing talent is legendary. She invested countless hours educating, mentoring, coaching and speaking at events to share her knowledge and passion for marketing with young talent.

"Her wicked sense of humour, contagious laugh and the ability to find a kind and constructive way through any situation, made her a favourite and close friend to so many. Lisa’s enormous contribution to the AANA Board over so many years is a testament to her dedication and commitment to the industry that she cherished so much.

"Our thoughts, love and support are with Lisa’s husband Chris, her son Ben, and her friends throughout the industry. In memory of an exceptional life well lived. Farewell, Lisa. You will be deeply missed."

AANA chair and Nestle GM Martin Brown noted "Lisa consistently gave back in our industry," calling her a "wonderful role model, colleague, and friend."

Across her 30-year career, Lisa also held senior marketing roles at Westpac (2011-2014), David Jones (2006-2011), Telstra (2004-2006), Visa (1999-2004), and Carlton and United Breweries (1994-1999). She sat on multiple boards including the Global Banking Alliance for Women (2013-2014), Great Walks of Australia (2016-2018), flybuys (2020-2022), and Wheelchair Rugby Australia. She was also an investor and advisor at travel company Journey Maker.

Current Aldi CMO and former Westpac marketer Jenny Melhuish said, "Lis, you will be missed in the industry, but I cannot even imagine how your boys are feeling."

Steve Badgery, the global head of talent at OpenSolar, also worked with Lisa at Westpac. He said when she left for Tourism Australia, she "agreed to be my professional mentor. Over the years, Lisa helped me navigate big career decisions, uncertainty and tough times and wins. Lis always provided the most uplifting advice and guidance, and no matter how busy she was with her own successful career."

World Vision CMO Louise Cummins added Lisa was "an incredibly inspiring leader, full of energy, vision, and life" while Neville Anitelea, the CMO at Infinity Group, said he is “gutted”. “Lisa Ronson inspired kindness, joy, and the light in everyone she touched. Forever missed," he wrote.

Local Meta MD Will Easton added, “Heartbreaking... a great human who always had a glass half full approach to life.”

People from all corners of the industry are mourning. Among those to pay their respects are GroupM CEO Aimee Buchanan; Happy Socks global CEO and former CMO at The Iconic, Alexander Meyer; former Audi CMO Nikki Warburton; Mutinex co-founders Henry Innis and Matt Farrugia; Hulsbosch director Jaid Hulsbosch; Guzman y Gomez global CMO Lara Thom, and many more. 

“For me she was a client, an industry friend, a board colleague, a boss but more importantly a friend,” Coles360’s general manager Paul Brooks said. “She casts a long shadow.”

Vale Lisa Ronson.