Lisa is Achievement First’s Chief Executive Officer and works closely with the AF boards and leadership team to ensure academic and operational excellence across our 41 schools and three regions. Her focus is on improving the strength of AF schools and building the infrastructure to enable the network’s continued expansion with quality and shape our future roadmap.

Lisa joined AF in May 2022 as Interim CEO and transitioned to CEO in August 2023. Prior to this, she served as the Interim CEO of Ascend Charter Schools. While there, Lisa led between the organization’s founder and now permanent leader during the global pandemic. With more than thirty years of experience with for-and-non-profits, Lisa developed a deep understanding of all facets of leadership, which includes developing high performing leadership teams, leveraging stakeholder management skills, rebuilding underperforming businesses, leading businesses through integration post-mergers, scaling nonprofits, and transforming organizations after mission shifts. Lisa also served as KIPP’s Chief Program Officer and Director of Network Growth and Chief Customer Officer of the Girl Scouts of the USA. Prior to that, she led businesses in financial services with Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase.

Lisa, a proud Wisconsin native and child of public school educators, has always had a deep and abiding passion for K-12 education. She believes the key to social justice and racial equity is quality education that creates access for all children. She has a bachelor’s degree from Marquette University and an MBA from Columbia Business School. Lisa has made New York City her home with her husband and two children.