who we are

I grew up watching the birds in my backyard and became interested in bird conservation as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Atlas Mountains. I enjoyed seeing storks nest peacefully in mosque towers and it got me thinking about how we can better coexist with birds in the U.S.

The vibrant world of birds beckons us to a richer, more immersive outdoor experience. I hope to help preserve this vibrancy while fostering new connections between people and their local parks, backyards, and neighborhood birds.

As an academic publishing professional, I care about public access to scientific information and participation in the scientific process, such as bird counts and surveys, NestWatch and more.

I inherited my interest in birds from my father. Growing up in Southeast Iowa, Audubon Christmas Bird Counts were a feature of a complete holiday season. Over the years, my passion for birds has developed and often marked milestones and core memories in my life: from seeing Gray-crowned Rosy Finches on Mt. Rainier, to gazing at Great Gray Owls with my father in Sax Zim Bog, to watching the local Wild Turkey flocks walk through our front yard in South Minneapolis with my wife. These moments and others like them have allowed me to develop my relationship with these birds past an affinity to one where I want to understand their needs and advocate for them.

Professionally, I have worked as an actuary for over a decade. This has afforded me a wealth of varied experiences and expertise within the financial services space. I look forward to marrying my skills and expertise in the financial realm with my passion for birds and conservation.

Birds have been a constant source of joy in my life and being able to protect birds in our urban cities is a goal of mine as both a city planner and landscape architect. My passion for bird conservation began as a child, raising money for the brown pelicans effected by the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill, and I have carried this passion into my adulthood. As a Master of Landscape Architecture student, birds have a special place in every project I work on. Whether that be an entire garden dedicated to pigeon nesting or a humble pond for geese to land, birds always have a place in my work and my heart.

Hello, I'm Lisa, a birder, beekeeper, retired person and now a board member for Land of Lakes Bird Alliance. I have been an active volunteer since 2021, participating on the DEI and Outreach & Education committees and leading bird walks. I am very much looking forward to working with this wonderful group of people and to helping our alliance grow and prosper.

I’m a communications and digital accessibility professional with a deep appreciation for birds and the role they play in healthy ecosystems. Spending time outdoors, whether birding, gardening, or simply noticing seasonal changes, has shaped how I think about conservation as something both personal and shared. I’m especially interested in how small, everyday actions can support birds, from creating habitat to being more mindful of how we interact with the natural world. I also actively participate in community science efforts, including bird counts, FrogWatch, and water quality monitoring, which deepen my understanding of local ecosystems and contribute to broader conservation research.

Through my work and volunteer experiences, I’ve focused on making information and opportunities more accessible and welcoming so more people can meaningfully engage with conservation. As a Minnesota Water Steward and water quality volunteer, I’m especially interested in the connection between healthy waterways and thriving bird populations. I care about supporting efforts that protect bird habitat while also building a sense of connection and curiosity within the community. I’m excited by the chance to contribute to a thoughtful, community-driven approach to conservation through Land of Lakes Bird Alliance.

I’ve been an avid outdoorsman my entire life. Whether it was crawling through wet ditches as a child, or birding with my mother and grandfather, I’ve always relished being in nature. My work with LLBA is a natural extension of that. My favorite birding memory is seeing a golden eagle while on a trip to Bemidji. 

I work as an attorney in Minnesota, having gotten my law degree and a Masters of Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law School. I bring enthusiasm and a sharp legal mind to the Board and organization.  

I have loved everything about nature since I was a kid exploring the woods and prairies in my neighborhood. When my husband and I started working in our yard to turn it into a pollinator and bird friendly habitat, I became curious about what birds were visiting. I was amazed with all the different birds visiting my backyard! A true ecosystem now thriving! So, armed with a starter bird ID guide and a very ancient pair of used binoculars I started birding. My love of birds blossomed! As one of our field trip leaders, it brings me immense joy seeing those I lead become excited about birds. I love when they learn something new or find a new appreciation for birds and wanting to protect their habitats. 

I want to share my knowledge of birds and get others curious about the natural world around them. Nature provides us with so much. It is a place of respite from our overstimulating world, and a place for healing and finding community. I look forward to continuing to make our bird group a welcoming space for all birders and those wanting to protect their habitat!