About Lisa
From young entrepreneur to politics and changing the landscape of philanthropy in Buffalo and Western New York.
“To whom much is given, much will be required.”
Luke 12:48
Lisa began her career as a young entrepreneur selling sports cards and supplies in her teens. That business helped her buy her first car and pay some tuition for her first year at college.
After graduating from Gates Chili High School in Rochester, Lisa attended Monroe Community College in pursuit of a degree in business administration. She took advantage of the 2+2 Program and transferred to the University at Buffalo to complete her undergraduate degree.
Lisa returned home to Rochester and began an internship that turned her into a part-time Congressional Liaison for Congresswoman Louise Slaughter and part-time position at the Monroe County Democratic Committee where she learned the importance of constituent service and field operations. After a successful campaign during which the Congresswoman faced redistricting into Buffalo, Lisa became the point person in the Congresswoman’s Buffalo office.
By 2004, it was time to make another move and Lisa landed at the Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Foundation. She soon found it was much more fulfilling raising money for children than television commercials. During her 15-year tenure at the hospital, she oversaw major events, worked on major gift solicitation, grants, the annual fund, public relations, and marketing. She was an integral part of raising funds for various projects—but the one that will endure for generations to come is the construction of the new John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital.
Today, Lisa is the Donor Relations Manager at the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, where she’s responsible for annual fundraising, events, major gift fundraising, and supporting the Institute’s current Cryo-EM Campaign.
Lisa is an active community volunteer, serving on the boards of the University at Buffalo School of Management Alumni Association, the Canisius College Master’s of Business Alumni Association, and the Niagara Sailing Club.
In March 2019, she launched the Fifty Fabulous Women Giving Circle to bring together professional women of all backgrounds in support of nonprofits that serve women and children throughout Western New York. She was inspired to launch FFWGC by the strong female role models she’s had in all her professional roles and it is her hope that the Circle inspires the next generation of women leaders and becomes her legacy work. In September 2021, FFWGC launched a second chapter in Charlotte, NC.
In March 2022, Lisa and her work with the Fifty Fabulous Women Giving Circle were featured by Channel 2 WGRZ during their segment, WNY Living.
Book Lisa to speak at your next event
Lisa speaks at venues throughout Western New York on topics including education and the arts, economic issues, healthcare, nonprofit fundraising, regional issues, veterans issues, and women’s issues.
