About Lisa
I’m a Maryland native and attended public schools in Pasadena in Anne Arundel County. After earning my degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2004, I went on to work for the Navy and defense industry before transitioning to solar technology research.
In 2007, my husband and I bought our first home in Carroll County and are proud to raise our family in this community. All three of our children attend Carroll County Public Schools.
I am not a politician.
I consider myself to be an advocate.
A year ago, if you told me I would be running for BOE, I would not have believed you. However, the challenging events of the past year inspired me to apply my leadership skills in an unexpected way. I am a mom of three children in CCPS and I have poured my energy and heart into raising my family. I have been a leader in Scouting for 9 years, volunteered with the PTA before becoming PTA President at my children’s elementary school for three years. During that time, a major focus was to re-engage the school community after COVID. As PTA President, I created an Advocacy Committee to engage and inform the community on important issues affecting our schools. Our team followed school budget processes, Blueprint implementation plans, and redistricting issues with the goal of informing the community.
Advocating with the Carroll Education Coalition
In February 2025 when the BOE debated how to tackle the budget and staffing crises, I gathered at my kitchen table with a few other parents to discuss and determine what actions we could take to advocate for our schools. Within a week, we had started the Carroll Education Coalition. Little did we know that our efforts would turn into a movement – an outpouring of support for our schools and the value they provide to our communities. We coordinated a “Show of Support” rally in front of CCPS headquarters, made multiple trips to Annapolis to walk the halls to speak to legislative aides about the unintended consequences of the Maryland Blueprint Law’s implementation in our schools, and gave public comment to the BOE and Commissioners. We followed the meetings, digested the information, and helped the community understand the situation and what they could do to help.
I gave public comment at the February 2025 BOE meeting, advocating that the Board request more funding from the Commissioners. Click the photo to watch the recording.
I gave public comment during the County’s FY26 Budget Hearing in front of the Commissioners. Click the photo to watch the recording.
The Work Continues…
Even after the Blueprint waiver was granted, I have not given up. I continue to advocate for our schools. This summer I gave public comment to the Planning and Zoning Commission, asking them to prioritize capital projects for schools as part of the county’s review of the 10-year Master Plan.
With my engineering background, my strengths lie in research, organization, and understanding the details. While attending these county meetings, I found that Carroll County purchased land in Sykesville, known as the Dulaney property, in 1996 as a future school site; however, the land was rezoned as an Employment Campus. In October 2025, I gave public comment at the Commissioners meeting, asking them to reconsider the use of the Dulaney property as a possible replacement school site given the fact that it sits within the district of the aging Sykesville Middle (originally built in 1932) and is already owned by the county. As a result of my public comment, the Commissioners did not transfer the land, opting for further discussion and evaluation on its potential as a replacement school site.
This experience has taught me the power in standing up for what you believe in and using your voice in a constructive way to advocate for change. I’ve learned that I’m not just a mom. I’m a mom with something important to share for the benefit of our children, our educators, our schools, and our communities.
I gave public comment at the October 9, 2025 Commissioners Open Session, asking them to reconsider using the county-owned Dulaney property in Sykesville as a replacement school site instead of an Employment Campus. After my comments and the resulting discussion, the Commissioners decided to pause on transferring the land for further evaluation. Click the photo to watch the recording.
I have found my voice.
I hope you will support me with your vote so that I can continue to use my voice on the BOE to advocate for our schools.