Lisa joined Spano Pratt after an accomplished 15-year career in the United States Intelligence Community and the establishment of her own small family history business. She applies her highly-trained, sophisticated research and analytical skills to ensure effective and smooth leadership transitions in the nonprofit sector. Lisa’s background offers a unique approach to interviewing and human assessment. Lisa served in the Central Intelligence Agency for about ten years, where she researched, analyzed, wrote about, and briefed on complex international security and economic issues for senior US Government officials at the White House, National Security Council, Department of Defense, Treasury Department, and State Department. She managed high-profile teams, creating a vision for them, and leading programs of analysis and operations. Lisa served in two warzones and has traveled the world, facilitating a keen understanding and appreciation of different cultures and global perspectives. She also worked as a US State Department diplomat in New Delhi, India for two years. Seeking to apply her hard-earned research, analysis, and people skills outside government, Lisa started her own family history business in 2019, where she crafts robust narratives about clients’ ancestors. She finds the work meaningful and challenging. Outside work, Lisa serves on the board of directors for a nonprofit working to resettle Afghan refugees after the August 2021 fall of Kabul. She also is an active member of the Smithsonian Women’s Committee, which raises funds for and awards grants to numerous Smithsonian projects such as antiquity restoration and employing drone technology to observe bird nesting behaviors. Lisa earned her Bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis and went on to earn her Master’s degree from Georgetown University. She currently lives in the Annapolis area with her husband and two daughters.