Lisa Akorli is a relationship builder and storyteller with 12 years of experience supporting social justice nonprofits and advancing economically regenerative policies.
In her previous role as a U.S. foreign service officer, Lisa empowered historically marginalized groups by consistently bringing their voices into policy decisions. As lead economic and political reporting officer at U.S. Consulate Melbourne, Australia, she engaged businesses, philanthropists, and government agencies in community-led development initiatives to improve Indigenous rights, labor standards, health, low-income housing, and environmental stewardship. As a consular officer In the Democratic Republic of Congo, she leveraged diplomatic and grassroots networks to execute evacuations related to political instability and COVID-19.
Lisa has also performed roles in coalition building, communications, and fundraising at various nonprofit organizations. In these settings, she united a broad range of stakeholders to win programmatic and financial resources for sustainable food systems, equitable transportation, and inner-city youth development.
Lisa holds a Master of Public Policy degree from Harvard Kennedy School and a BA in political science from Harvard College. On weekends, you can find her performing improvised comedy at theaters around Phoenix, Arizona.