Lisa’s Why…

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Rooted in Hard Work. Driven by Results. Grounded in Purpose.

I was raised in a working-class, blue-collar family where hustle and heart wasn’t optional, it just was. As a latchkey kid watching my parents work long hours in retail and build small businesses, I learned early what it means to show up, work hard, and figure things out without excuses.

My path hasn’t been traditional. I was a young mom and started my professional journey as a bank teller in 1996. It wasn’t glamorous, but it gave me the flexibility to pick up my daughter from daycare before they closed, while also starting to build a better future. And like many families, I’ve been on the other side of hardship: declined debit cards, collection calls, and even bankruptcy.

But I didn’t stay there. With discipline, financial literacy, and unshakeable drive, I rebuilt piece by piece, and came out on the other side stronger. That journey isn’t just a backstory. It’s my fuel.

From the Ground Floor to the Executive Table - Stirgus Delivers Results.

This is not just a story of resilience and perserverence, it’s a record of repeatable results.

Over a 20+ year career in banking, I worked my way up from frontline teller to senior executive. My leadership track record is clear: fixing broken cultures, developing emerging leaders, and turning underperforming teams into top performers.

While Chief Development Officer for Junior Achievement of Washington, I led the organization’s largest new revenue growth in recent history, bringing in new donor relationships, reactivating partnerships, and elevating the mission across the state.

In banking at Harborstone Credit Union, Lisa led hundreds of employees, created and launched new service and relationship sales models, was the visionary behind the leadership development programs, and helped grow both revenue and impact - while always keeping the mission “the Why” at the center of everything! Her leadership wasn’t about status, it was about building people and improving systems.

Whether in a corporate boardroom or a community coalition, I show up, bring people together, and get results.

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Now serving Auburn - with Purpose and Accountability.

After appointed to the Auburn City Council in April, it’s been boots on the ground.

At City Hall, I come prepared, ask the right questions and keep the “why” front and center. It’s important to stay focused on what matters to Auburn residents: safe streets, clean and connected neighborhoods, thriving local businesses, and opportunities for families to live, work, and grow right here at home.

Every neighborhood deserves to be safe, respected, and seen. This takes leaders who listen, collaborate, and know when to take a stand. I’m here to serve with clarity, compassion, and accountability.

It’s not about politics to me, it’s about people. I’m here to build on what’s working, fix what’s not, and help move Auburn forward - together.

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