Details about Lisa Stevens' early life are relatively sparse in publicly available sources, but it's known that she developed a passion for games and fantasy from a young age. This formative period undoubtedly shaped her career path, instilling a deep appreciation for the power of storytelling and collaborative play that would later define her contributions to the tabletop gaming industry.

Lisa Stevens began her career at Wizards of the Coast during a pivotal period for the company. She was involved with the booming success of Magic: The Gathering and also contributed to the development and growth of the Dungeons & Dragons brand. Working alongside industry giants, Stevens honed her editorial and management skills, gaining invaluable experience in the publishing world.

Stevens took on a significant leadership role as the Director of the RPGA Network, the official D&D organized play program. In this role, she was responsible for coordinating a vast network of players, organizers, and events worldwide. She oversaw the creation of adventures, managed conventions, and fostered a sense of community among D&D enthusiasts, cementing her reputation as a leader in the gaming community.

In 2002, Lisa Stevens took a bold leap and founded Paizo Publishing after Wizards of the Coast announced it would cease publishing Dragon and Dungeon magazines, the flagship publications of D&D. She spearheaded the creation of magazines such as Dragon and Dungeon, along with books and accessories to support the Third Edition of D&D. The initial success of Paizo established Stevens as a prominent figure in independent publishing and solidified her commitment to providing high-quality gaming content to fans.

When Wizards of the Coast announced the Fourth Edition of D&D, Paizo took the bold step of creating Pathfinder, an alternative roleplaying game built on the foundation of the 3.5 edition rules. Lisa Stevens led Paizo through this significant transition, overseeing the creation of Pathfinder's rules system, setting, and extensive line of adventures and supplements. Pathfinder quickly gained a large and devoted following, challenging D&D's dominance and establishing Paizo as a major player in the RPG industry.

Lisa Stevens joined Goblinworks as the Chief Operating Officer (COO). This move marked a shift towards digital gaming, as Goblinworks focused on developing the Pathfinder Online MMO. Stevens brought her extensive experience in publishing, community management, and game development to the online space, showcasing her adaptability and her commitment to exploring new frontiers in gaming.