Meet the Staff

Lisa serves as the Executive Director for Stepping Stones of Hope, and continues serving as a small group facilitator during all programs. She is charged with varying aspects of the organization including program development, implementation and outcomes, public relations, marketing, public awareness, fund development, and overseeing day-to-day operations.

She was drawn to Stepping Stones of Hope for a variety of reasons, including the death of her sister Kyna, who died in a motor vehicle accident at age 15.

In addition to her position with Stepping Stones of Hope, Lisa has been employed as a Victim Assistance Crisis Interventionist with the Phoenix Fire Department for the past 7 years, and served as a volunteer in the same capacity for the previous 5 years. In her current role Lisa offers on-scene crisis response and intervention. Her unit is dispatched specifically to offer support to victims of crime. Types of calls include homicides, child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assaults, hate crimes, home invasions, accidents involving alcohol and numerous others. The team acts as a liaison between the Phoenix Fire and Police Departments, the customer and victim family, and the resources available in the community.

The balance of these two positions is one of the many keys to success for Stepping Stones of Hope.  As a first responder Lisa sees firsthand the impact of death for a family and brings those experiences to her role as executive director.

Lisa is also a founding member of the Arizona Bereavement Alliance, a grassroots organization, which acts as a forum for the interaction between agencies, organizations and individuals to enhance and support the excellence in the provision of bereavement services for children and families.

Lisa has always been active in her community. In the past, she has volunteered at Casa de los Ninos, a crisis nursery for abused children; taught swimming to physically and developmentally challenged children;   was instrumental in forming a coalition to build a home for Habitat for Humanity; served as a hugger for Phoenix Children's Hospital; managed and coached a Pop Warner football team; served food to the homeless at Andre House; volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children under the care of the State, and was a Hon Kachina Volunteer nominee.

Lisa is a graduate of Valley Leadership Class XXIV, and most recently received the 2005 Business Journal Health Care Hero Award, and Executive Director of the Year in the small non-profit category (operating budget under $500,000) from the Organization of Non-Proift Executives.

When not working or volunteering, Lisa enjoys reading, working out, hiking with her great dane Sadie and german shorthair pointer Shadow, exploring the arts, and spending time with family and friends.