Lisa has served as the Chief Program Officer at CooperRiis since 2020. Her extensive experience and knowledge of CooperRiis, along with her passion for program development and quality improvement, uniquely position her to serve the community in her current role.
“I am dedicated to providing an engaging and compassionate recovery process for all residents, while ensuring support and continuity for the staff, so they can be effective and feel supported in their roles.”
Lisa’s journey with CooperRiis began in 2006 as the Garden Manager and Horticultural Therapist at the CooperRiis Farm campus, where she passionately engaged residents in activities that aligned with the Seven Domains of Recovery. Her dedication flourished as she took on the role of Community Work & Service Director, developing a vibrant and inclusive program that united residents and staff in contributing to the community’s well-being.
Lisa advanced to become Managing Director at the Farm, where she provided inspiring leadership and oversight for both the Farm and Foothills Community Program. In 2016, she assumed leadership of the new CooperRiis at Asheville Program and the Asheville Community Program, continuing her commitment to enriching lives and fostering collaboration.
Lisa earned her Ph.D. in Holistic Nutrition from Hawthorn University. Her dissertation project, completed at CooperRiis, focused on using L-tryptophan supplementation to reduce the impact of neuroleptic (antipsychotic) medications. The outcomes proved positive as an alternative approach to treating the symptoms of psychosis. She earned her M.S. in Horticultural Therapy from Kansas State University and a B.S. in Psychology from Michigan State University.
She is a certified Subtle Yoga instructor and offers classes to the community when her schedule allows.
Lisa is also a CARF Administrative Surveyor (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities), conducting surveys of mental health programs nationwide as a peer reviewer, allowing CARF standards to be applied to other organizations so they may achieve excellence in mental healthcare.
Lisa and her children lived on the Farm for three years, where they enjoyed daily interaction with the residents, staff, and farm animals. The Farm remains a special place to them all.