About Lisa
Military Police Turned Social Worker
Military Police Turned Social Worker
Lisa has been working for and with the community since she was a child. She understands that people face significant barriers throughout their lives. She believes that everyone has a role in the betterment of the collective community, for her that role is at the community level through policy.
Lisa has been working for and with the community since she was a child. She understands that people face significant barriers throughout their lives. She believes that everyone has a role in the betterment of the collective community, for her that role is at the community level through policy.
Her passion for helping others lead her to the military, where she served four years as Military Police in the United States Air Force.
Her passion for helping others lead her to the military, where she served four years as Military Police in the United States Air Force.
She graduated from Colorado State University while simultaneously working as a Veterans Transition Counselor, then later an Intensive Case Manager focused on elder care and housing.
She graduated from Colorado State University while simultaneously working as a Veterans Transition Counselor, then later an Intensive Case Manager focused on elder care and housing.
When the floods hit Colorado in 2013, Lisa responded, helping communities and families recover. Then again when the fires tore through our great state, she was there helping communities rebuild. This was where her near-decade work around disaster recovery began. Since COVID, Lisa has worked to distribute emergency supplies, food, and vaccines as well as supported medical testing sites in Arvada and Jeffco.
When the floods hit Colorado in 2013, Lisa responded, helping communities and families recover. Then again when the fires tore through our great state, she was there helping communities rebuild. This was where her near-decade work around disaster recovery began. Since COVID, Lisa has worked to distribute emergency supplies, food, and vaccines as well as supported medical testing sites in Arvada and Jeffco.
Currently sits on the Arvada Resiliency Taskforce and Arvada Chamber Government Affairs Committee working towards solutions for local businesses and residents.
Currently sits on the Arvada Resiliency Taskforce and Arvada Chamber Government Affairs Committee working towards solutions for local businesses and residents.
Lisa also serves on the Jeffco Community Advisory Board and Colorado Senior Lobby to support housing and older adults in Arvada and throughout Colorado.
Lisa also serves on the Jeffco Community Advisory Board and Colorado Senior Lobby to support housing and older adults in Arvada and throughout Colorado.
Lisa is a public servant and volunteer. She will use her honest and open leadership style to listen and engage Arvada towards a positive and successful future!
Lisa is a public servant and volunteer. She will use her honest and open leadership style to listen and engage Arvada towards a positive and successful future!
Lisa's Background
Lisa's Background
Lisa was raised in a large Irish and Italian Catholic family where everyone knew everything. She was taught to give back when she could, work hard, and never give up!
Lisa was raised in a large Irish and Italian Catholic family where everyone knew everything. She was taught to give back when she could, work hard, and never give up!
Life wasn't easy as many family members struggled with addiction, suicide, abuse, and mental health problems, but her family did their best with open and forgiving hearts.
Life wasn't easy as many family members struggled with addiction, suicide, abuse, and mental health problems, but her family did their best with open and forgiving hearts.
Family is the backbone of what shaped Lisa's passion and drive. She learned the value of committing to what you set your mind to and being understanding and inclusive of all.
Family is the backbone of what shaped Lisa's passion and drive. She learned the value of committing to what you set your mind to and being understanding and inclusive of all.
Lisa's Family
Lisa's Family
Lisa's mother, Ana, was born in Argentina. English was her third language. Both of her grandparents never received formal education but they made ends meet through construction and homemaking. Ana grew up to become an amazing inner-city School Teacher.
Lisa's mother, Ana, was born in Argentina. English was her third language. Both of her grandparents never received formal education but they made ends meet through construction and homemaking. Ana grew up to become an amazing inner-city School Teacher.
Lisa’s father, Douglas, came from a strict Irish-Catholic background. He retired as School Social Worker and now works as a hospital social worker focusing on addiction and mental health illness.
Lisa’s father, Douglas, came from a strict Irish-Catholic background. He retired as School Social Worker and now works as a hospital social worker focusing on addiction and mental health illness.
Her sister, Brittany, is the Director of Food Assistance for the state of Massachusetts promoting food equity through smart policy. She is a strong community advocate and policy nerd like her sister.
Her sister, Brittany, is the Director of Food Assistance for the state of Massachusetts promoting food equity through smart policy. She is a strong community advocate and policy nerd like her sister.
Her brother, Jason, is a Small Business Owner that focuses on special events and his restaurant. He started as a busboy at a local restaurant and worked his way up to the ranks. He is the entrepreneur of the family!
Her brother, Jason, is a Small Business Owner that focuses on special events and his restaurant. He started as a busboy at a local restaurant and worked his way up to the ranks. He is the entrepreneur of the family!
Lisa and Eli
Lisa and Eli
Lisa met Eli several years ago during a volunteer conference call for a nonprofit. Nine months later, they met at Denver Airport on the way to their volunteer organizations conference. The two became good friends through local community projects, ski trips, and adventuring until they left for graduate school – Lisa to Boston College, Eli to University of Chicago.
Lisa met Eli several years ago during a volunteer conference call for a nonprofit. Nine months later, they met at Denver Airport on the way to their volunteer organizations conference. The two became good friends through local community projects, ski trips, and adventuring until they left for graduate school – Lisa to Boston College, Eli to University of Chicago.
Today, they spend time on their property trying to figure out how to garden with their chickens and foster dogs. When they aren't working, you might find them adventuring in the mountains or engaging in local community projects or boards!
Today, they spend time on their property trying to figure out how to garden with their chickens and foster dogs. When they aren't working, you might find them adventuring in the mountains or engaging in local community projects or boards!
Willie Chancho
Willie Chancho
Lisa would be remiss if she didn't talk about her favorite 4-legged companion, Willie Chancho! He has been a staple in the family, an avid traveler, and best friend for 13 years.
Lisa would be remiss if she didn't talk about her favorite 4-legged companion, Willie Chancho! He has been a staple in the family, an avid traveler, and best friend for 13 years.
He is the fur-ever loyal companion of Lisa and Eli. He was rescued in Wyoming when Lisa was in the military. After being certified as a service dog, Willie joined Lisa when she worked part-time in a nursing home providing companionship to Alzheimer's patients.
He is the fur-ever loyal companion of Lisa and Eli. He was rescued in Wyoming when Lisa was in the military. After being certified as a service dog, Willie joined Lisa when she worked part-time in a nursing home providing companionship to Alzheimer's patients.
Update: Willie recently passed away but was such a fundamental part of her life that she wanted to keep this section up in honor of Willie.
Update: Willie recently passed away but was such a fundamental part of her life that she wanted to keep this section up in honor of Willie.
Volunteerism
Volunteerism
Flood emergency response and mitigation in Longmont and Lyons in 2013
Flood emergency response and mitigation in Longmont and Lyons in 2013
Food and PPE Distribution to community members, organizations, and companies for COVID
Food and PPE Distribution to community members, organizations, and companies for COVID
Fire recovery and mitigation efforts after the High Park Fire
Fire recovery and mitigation efforts after the High Park Fire
Sanitizer creation and distribution of over 2,000 bottles in Jefferson County
Sanitizer creation and distribution of over 2,000 bottles in Jefferson County
Mentor for Developmental Disabled Individuals in Larimer County
Mentor for Developmental Disabled Individuals in Larimer County
Deployed in support of a deadly earthquake in Nepal
Deployed in support of a deadly earthquake in Nepal
Boulder Canyon Fire Mitigation
Boulder Canyon Fire Mitigation
Mentor for transitioning veterans across the nation
Mentor for transitioning veterans across the nation
Foster Dogs with Safe Harbor Lab Rescue and Do Over Dogs
Foster Dogs with Safe Harbor Lab Rescue and Do Over Dogs
Created a Veterans Program at a top-tier college
Created a Veterans Program at a top-tier college
Annual Sandbagging project where we prepare over 2000 bags in Larimer county
Annual Sandbagging project where we prepare over 2000 bags in Larimer county
Rebuilt homes in Houston after Hurricane Harvey
Rebuilt homes in Houston after Hurricane Harvey
Mentored Colorado State University Social Workers
Mentored Colorado State University Social Workers
AirBnB Open Homes Project supporting refugee families
AirBnB Open Homes Project supporting refugee families
Food shopper for Senior Citizens in Colorado
Food shopper for Senior Citizens in Colorado
