Lisa Parker

Lisa Parker

President and Executive Director, The Lawrence Welk Family Foundation

Lisa Parker brings 30 years of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit management to her work with philanthropic families. Since 1997 Lisa has been President and Executive Director of the Lawrence Welk Family Foundation, leading the Foundation’s initiatives to address poverty and seed the youth giving movement and creating youth philanthropy programs for the family’s 4th generation.

In 2009 Lisa founded Family Circle Advisors where she and her team help families increase the impact of their giving and navigate the complex family relationships critical to the success of a family foundation or enterprise. Family Circle Advisors also facilitates family retreats and is a leader in providing experiential team building events for family foundations and family businesses.

Lisa is certified by 21/64 (a division of The Andrea & Charles Bronfman Philanthropies) as a multi – generational advisor to families.  In addition, Lisa serves as an advisor and board member to numerous organizations working to build and expand the philanthropic sector, including the USC Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy and the National Center for Family Philanthropy. Lisa speaks nationally on raising charitable children, youth philanthropy, new models of giving and the evolution of family philanthropy “From Lawrence Welk to Lady Gaga.”

Contributions

Family Foundation CEO Retreat

Posted on February 12, 2021 by Betsy Erickson, Janine Mason, Michael Smith, Tina Runyan, Mayor Eric Garcetti, Bari Katz, Rob Reich, Shaady Salehi, Carmen Rojas, Diana Scearce

The role of a family foundation CEO is unique, often bridging generations of family members, community leaders, staff, advisors, and partners. Expectations can be challenging to meet and boundaries are sometimes vague and ever-changing. Success in this role requires a cadre of specialized leadership skills, particularly in these divisive and dynamic times. This 3-day virtual retreat, designed for both new… Read More

Family Identity and Culture

Posted on December 7, 2020 by Phillip Wm. Fisher, Armando Castellano, Lisa Parker, Tony Macklin

father, son, and grandfather skipping stones - traditions, generations, family cutlure
Many philanthropic families have a strong sense of identity, defined by their traditions and culture and carried out through their commitments to one another and the public trust. A clear family identity is driven by a shared purpose and philosophy, which in turn promotes a successful collective giving effort. How do families understand their shared purpose and ensure it faithfully… Read More

NCFP Community Foundation Family Philanthropy Network Workshop 2018

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Lisa Parker

NCFP Community Foundation Family Philanthropy Network Workshop Join us at a community foundation family philanthropy services peer workshop that will feature facilitation training by NCFP Board member & President and Executive Director of the Lawrence Welk Family Foundation, Lisa Parker. Lisa brings significant experience facilitating family retreats and experiential team building.  There will also be time to learn from your peers… Read More
Voices from the Field

From Syria to San Diego: The Lawrence Welk Family Foundation Junior Board Grants $10,000 to Refugee Resettlement

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Lisa Parker

A simple internet search for “Syrian refugees” yields millions of results— a testament to how much press coverage and national attention the impact of Syria’s civil war has received in the United States. Lisa Parker, the president of LWFF, saw it as an opportunity for herself and her family to learn about the experiences of refugees when they come to the US… Read More

Diverse and Dispersed: Managing a Far-Flung Family

Posted on May 12, 2016 by Berit Ashla, Lisa Parker, Kelly Nowlin

In our increasingly mobile society, family philanthropies once defined by their proximity now encounter a new obstacle: geography. How does geography affect a philanthropy’s mission? How do you keep the family and the philanthropy together? And how do families take advantage of diverse perspectives on key issues within the family?… Read More

The Hip Family’s Guide to Happier Holidays

Posted on December 21, 2015 by Lisa Parker

Though this guide has been around for a few years now, the number of requests to share it has grown each Holiday Season. In that time, your once small children and grandchildren have grown older. This expanded edition includes the same great resources for young families along with new insights and opportunities for families with kids of all ages… Read More

Avoiding Avoidance: Addressing and Managing Conflict

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Bobbi Hapgood, Lisa Parker, Elaine Gast Fawcett

Conflict is neither inherently good nor bad. Conflict will always occur in an organization that's growing, evolving, and changing. On this webinar, we’ll explore typical situations where families might find themselves falling into the avoidance trap, along with useful strategies for ‘avoiding avoidance’ and other related tips and tools for managing family conflict… Read More

Tools and Tips for Next Gen Philanthropists

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Lana Volftsun, Lisa Parker

Most philanthropic families say they want the next generation at the table. Yet how do new trustees develop their personal values and ideas to contribute to the discussions?  And when and if the next gen has a sense of how they’d like to give, will the board actually welcome their perspectives?  How can your foundation actively facilitate this process?… Read More

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