Lisa joins SSPC as Associate Pastor in May 2022. A native of Tennessee, Lisa grew up in Roanoke, VA, and graduated from Hollins University, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with a degree in English Literature. Lisa received her MBA from UNC-Greensboro, and her M.Div. from Lancaster Theological Seminary. A second career minister, Lisa spent many years as a successful fundraising executive in Delaware, North Carolina and Virginia for nonprofit organizations and a grant writer for a municipality. She also directed and taught a nationally-acclaimed leadership and etiquette program for children and youth in Central and Southern Delaware and won awards for her teaching and community outreach programs.

A cradle Presbyterian, who comes from a long line of Presbyterians, who were deacons, elders, Sunday School and Bible School teachers since the 1800s, Lisa first heard the call to serve as early as 10 years of age and sought to live out that call as a Christian Educator, assistant preschool director for a community bible study, Youth Director, Deacon and Stephens Minister, but realized God was calling her to ordained ministry. When her first child went of to college, Lisa attended Lancaster Theological Seminary beginning in 2015 and graduating in 2019, while working full time. Lisa loves pastoral care, worship leadership, special programming, Christian Education, singing in the church choir, and a good church potluck. Lisa loves all age groups equally, having worked in ministry with infants and families, to individuals in their twilight years.   

Lisa is married to Randall, whom she calls her rock, the love of her life, and the best father and husband a woman could ask for. They are the proud parents of two young adult children, Olivia and Elliott, both University of Delaware graduates, and the besotted parents to their canine daughter, Nelly, a beautiful, tiny sheltie mix, who looks like a toy border collie and who loves to play fetch. For several years, Lisa and Nelly were a certified therapy team, visiting hospitals and schools. Lisa and Randall enjoy hiking and gardening, and Lisa is a budding portrait and landscape artist. She is passionate about the environment, green infrastructure, pollinator gardens, paint nights, craft projects, and animals of all kinds, and hopes to earn her wildlife rehabilitation certification at some point.  While she likes to cook, Randall is superior in that department. She roots for the underdog in a team sport, but always for UNC-Chapel Hill. Lisa loves to read biographies, history books, and anything by John Grisham and the late Pat Conroy.

Lisa believes in the transformative power of the Cross and God’s restorative love, mercy and grace through Jesus Christ for all people, so that all can flourish, serve and care for this broken world, bringing the love and light of Jesus Christ to those people , places and situations that need healing.