Photo by Sarah Deragon

For two decades, Lisa has worked on efforts spanning the research, philanthropic, nonprofit, and policy sectors to address the root causes of inequity and support the conditions for individuals and communities to thrive.

Lisa is a skilled bridger and field-builder, recognized for her ability to connect siloed people and ideas as well as the creativity she brings to strategy, programming, and narrative-building. She is valued for her capabilities as both a strategist and an implementer—to which she brings a detail- and growth-orientation and an understanding of ecosystems and power. She is experienced in building and leading diverse teams and communities through complex transitions and adapting to change.

Lisa has served as an executive director, program officer, and a trusted advisor to nationally influential philanthropies, nonprofits, and policy entities as well as preeminent scholars.

In her eight years leading Student Experience Research Network, she built the field building organization from the ground up and raised nearly $20 million, 40% of which was regranted to invest in field capacity and knowledge. An independent assessment conducted as part of SERN’s strategic sunset in 2023 documented SERN’s impact along multiple dimensions of field capacity.

She has written and spoken on a variety of social issues and organizational topics, including education, public health, the health and well-being of boys and young men of color, civil rights, field building, funder-grantee relations, philanthropic strategy, organizational transitions, and use of research evidence. 

In her consulting practice, Lisa helps leaders advance systems change goals more effectively by bringing a field lens to strategy and organizational transitions. Her empathetic, inquiry-based style and ability to quickly climb learning curves enables her to draw out others’ insights and build a strong foundation of trust with new partners. Her calling card is bringing thoughtful analysis, integrity, and a sense of humor and care, especially to the tough days and hard decisions. 

Lisa loves welcoming colleagues and neighbors into her garden (or a Zoom room) for a slice of cake and a chat. As a runner, she enjoys taking thorny strategy and organizational problems out onto the trail for a good think. And since childhood, she’s never met a cozy novel about a female sleuth that she hasn’t enjoyed.

Lisa’s dog Sugi and homegrown flowers in her family’s Bee-Side Garden