Lisa began her professional career in the not-for-profit sector at the Better Business Bureau (BBB), where she taught consumers how to make informed decisions and served as a dispute resolution arbitrator. She later spent thirteen years as a marketing professional in Yellow Pages advertising. The fast-paced agency environment and creative challenges energized her career.

In 2007, she made a bold pivot to Katey Charles Communications, a marketing and communications company specializing in web and email newsletter design. Though unfamiliar at first with HTML programming or copywriting, Lisa quickly learned the ropes. Her two years there laid the foundation for her next chapter in digital communications.

When the economy took a downturn in 2009, Lisa—like many others—lost her job. But with the right mindset, that loss became an opportunity. She transitioned into a marketing research role, overseeing in-house advertising, marketing, and social media for a small business. During this time, she launched her own blog—a blend of digital marketing insights, motherhood, music nostalgia, and sports. Blogging required grit, patience, and persistence—and it sparked a major life shift.

In 2011, Lisa was contacted on Twitter by an ad agency running a contest sponsored by Volvo and the Big East Conference to crown the “Biggest Fan of the Big East.” Selected alongside fifteen other alumni writers, she represented Notre Dame in the competition. Basketball wasn’t her strongest suit, but she leaned in. After eight writing assignments, trips to New York City and South Bend, and tireless self-promotion on social media, Lisa was named the contest winner. Though she never expected to win, she’s not one to back down from a challenge. If you’re going to do something, give it your all and aim for the top.

Soon after, Lisa found herself frequently defending Our Lady’s University. Determined to shine a light on the good, she began work on her first book, Echoes From the End Zone: The Men We Became. Her first interview was with former tight end Oscar McBride. Their conversation felt more like old friends reconnecting, but it quickly became clear just how much Notre Dame had shaped his life. One interview led to another. Though the players came from vastly different backgrounds, they all shared one common thread: Notre Dame had profoundly influenced the people they became.

Lisa now has five titles in the “Echoes From Notre Dame” series. The first three are non-fiction collections featuring former student-athletes and student managers: Echoes From the End Zone: The Men We Became (2013), The Men We Became: More Echoes From the End Zone (2016), and Triumphs From Notre Dame: Echoes of Her Loyal Sons and Daughters (2019). In 2021, she released Domer Dishes: Inside the Lives and Kitchens of Your Irish Gridiron Greats, a cookbook featuring stories and recipes from Notre Dame football legends. In 2023, she published her first children’s book: Clover Goes to Notre Dame.

Today, Lisa is a Member Success Specialist at Nestlé Purina PetCare. With 80+ interviews and five books under her belt, she still feels honored to share the inspiring stories of Notre Dame’s loyal sons and daughters. As she puts it: “There are so many of these stories yet to be told.” She hopes you’ve enjoyed her journey through the lives of these remarkable alumni and looks forward to bringing even more stories to life. She is currently working on several projects, including a forthcoming Notre Dame Baseball book, and writes a weekly column for OneFootDown.com.

Lisa and her husband currently reside in Branson, Missouri, where they manage several businesses together—including two zoos, a live music theater, and a restaurant/1980s-themed entertainment attraction. Whether she’s hosting a concert, caring for animals, or writing her next chapter, Lisa continues to live out her passion for storytelling, service, and community.