Lisa is a public servant and volunteer.
Her honest and open leadership style will move us towards a positive and successful future!
MEET LISA
Lisa has been working for and with the community since she was a child - from local food banks to international humanitarian work. She believes that everyone has a role in the betterment of the collective community, for her that role is through creating logical and effective policy.
Her passion for helping others lead her to join the military, where she served as Military Police in the Air Force. She then became a social worker and deployed often with Team Rubicon, an Emergency and Disaster Response organization.
When floods ravaged Colorado in 2013, Lisa deployed to help the communities recover. Witnessing firsthand the immense destruction and pain, she has dedicated her efforts to promoting climate resilient policies. Most recently, in 2021, Lisa responded to the Marshall Fires and raised almost $70,000 with her colleague to help fund basic needs for affected people.
Lisa’s dedication extends beyond the borders of Colorado. Lisa has deployed to various regions around the world delivering medical supplies to the front lines, assisting in evacuation and medical care of refugees, including Ukraine, Greece, and Nepal. Locally, she helped run a refugee shelter in Denver for Venezuelan migrants and staged multiple clothing collection drives.
Lisa graduated from Colorado State University, where she worked as a Veterans Transition Counselor. Building on this experience, Lisa took on the role of an Intensive Case Manager, helping older adults receive proper healthcare services and housing. Lisa pivoted towards policies after seeing systemic barriers as a case manager so she went back to school to get her master's degree at Boston College. During her time there, she worked in the Mayor's Housing Innovation Office, where she helped tackle the ongoing housing crisis.
Presently, Lisa works for the state of Colorado, focusing on Medicaid Policy and long-term housing. This role allows her to have a direct impact on individuals who rely on this vital program for their healthcare needs. In addition to this work, she was elected to Arvada City Council in 2021. Her dedication to serving others and finding innovative solutions has made her a true advocate for smart change in Colorado. Moreover, her ability to understand complex issues and implement practical solutions makes her an invaluable asset to the state legislator.
Currently, Lisa serves on numerous boards in her community to include: The Community Table, Foothills Regional Housing Corp, DRCOG, Housing Advisory Committee, Jefferson County Community Corrections Board, and Human Services Advisory Committee.
Lisa is married to her partner, Eli, who she met when they were both volunteering for a Veterans nonprofit. Eli served 12 years in the Army and graduated from West Point and University of Chicago. They adopted their 5 year old Lab, Diesel, after falling in love when they were fostering him. They recently welcomed their first child, Elizabeth Carmen, to the world in 2023. In Lisa’s off-time, she fosters dogs in her home, enjoys gardening, and tries to spoil her backyard chickens!
Lisa’s Background
Lisa was raised in a large Irish and Italian Catholic family where everyone knew everything. She was taught to give back, 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.
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 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, is a retired School Social Worker from an Irish-Catholic background. He currently works as a hospital social worker, specializing in addiction and mental health.
Her sister, Brittany, is the Director of Food Assistance for the state of Massachusetts promoting food equity through smart policy.
Jason, Lisa's brother, is a successful Small Business Owner specializing in events and restaurants. He began as a server and quickly rose through the ranks to become an entrepreneur.
Lisa and Eli
Lisa met Eli several years ago volunteering for a Veterans nonprofit, Team Rubicon. The two became good friends through local community projects, ski trips, and adventuring around the globe until they left for graduate school – Lisa to Boston College, Eli to University of Chicago. They married in 2021 in their favorite mountain town, Breckenridge, Colorado.
Today, they spend time on their property trying to figure out how to garden alongside their chickens and foster dogs through Safe Harbor Lab Rescue. When they aren't working, you might find them adventuring in the mountains or engaging in local community projects or boards. They just welcomed their first child, Elizabeth Carmen, into this world in 2023!
Elizabeth and Diesel
Elizabeth was recently born in August 2023. Her and our loving dog, Diesel, formed an unbreakable bond. Elizabeth and her companion showcase the transformative power of friendship, reminding us that it can be found unexpectedly, enriching our lives with love, loyalty, and companionship. As early as the day she was born, Elizabeth is taking after her parents by participating in research by donating her fecal matter to science and participating in an eczema study. She is already learning how to give back to this world!
