Lisa Apps

About Lisa Apps

I am a nonprofit and community engagement leader with nearly three decades of experience building people-centered programs, strengthening community and alumni relationships, and supporting mission-driven organizations through growth, transition, and change.My career spans nonprofit operations, higher education administration, alumni and volunteer engagement, political and civic organizing, and human resources leadership. Across these settings, I have consistently worked at the intersection of people, programs, and purpose often in roles that required rebuilding trust, strengthening systems, and reconnecting institutions to the communities they serve.In the nonprofit and public sectors, I have led or supported organization-wide operations, human resources, and engagement initiatives, partnering closely with executive leadership, boards, donors, alumni, volunteers, and community stakeholders. My work has included program and event planning, volunteer management, communications support, executive staffing, database and reporting oversight, and operational strategy.In higher education, I have supported student success and engagement through residence life leadership, international education, service-learning, mentoring, and university communications. I bring a deep understanding of university culture, cross-campus collaboration, and the importance of high-touch engagement for students, alumni, and volunteers.A consistent thread throughout my career is a commitment to people-first leadership: creating environments where staff, volunteers, students, and community members feel supported, valued, and connected to mission. I am particularly drawn to roles that combine engagement, communications, and operational leadership in service of education, equity, and community impact.I am currently seeking leadership opportunities within higher education or mission-driven organizations where I can contribute to alumni and community engagement, program development, and collaborative institutional advancement.Skills: Relationship builder; Mentor; Nonprofits; Community Outreach; Event Planning; Volunteer Management; Training; Political Campaigns; Grassroots Organizing; Fundraising; and Government; Human Resources; Recruiting; Human Resources Generalist; Payroll.

Experience

1. Tutor

   Varsity Tutors, a Nerdy Company

   Sep 2024 — Present

Education

• The Graduate School of Political Management

  Master's degree, Strategic Public Relations

• Marquette University

  Master of Education - MEd, Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE)

  2021 — 2023

• Marquette University

  Political Science

  1995 — 1997

• Wisconsin Women's Network

  Policy Institute Certificate , Policy Institute

• The Graduate School of Political Management

  Master of Arts (M.A.), Political Management

  2002 — 2004

• Disney Institute

  Disney's Approach to People Management - 2005

• University of Maryland Global Campus

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Political Science

  1998 — 2001

• Marquette University

  Les Aspin Center for Government (Washington, DC)

  1997 — 1997

• St. Mary's Academy - Bay View, WI

  High School Diploma

  1985 — 1989

Skills

• Grassroots Organizing
• Community Outreach
• Research
• Adp Payroll
• Human Resources
• Strategic Planning
• Politics
• Volunteer Management
• Training
• Political Science
• Women's Issues
• Fundraising
• Event Planning
• Benefits Administration
• Policy Analysis
• Speech Writing
• Qualitative Research
• Non-Profits
• Grassroots
• Recruiting
• Editing
• Non-Profit Volunteer
• Newsletters
• Government
• Nonprofits
• Political Campaigns
• State Charitable Registrations
• Management
• Public Policy