Lisette Islas is the executive vice president and chief impact officer at MAAC, a nonprofit that, for more than five decades, has been providing programs and advocacy in the areas of health, education, workforce development and housing throughout San Diego County. In this role, Lisette focuses on increasing the visibility, reach and impacts of MAAC’s work, including organizational development and advocacy. With more than 20 years of experience working in the fields of community development and philanthropy, Lisette is passionate about finding new and better ways to help disadvantaged communities be more prosperous and civically engaged.Previously, Lisette was the vice president of community engagement and programs at the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, where she focused on creating community- and capacity-building strategies as well as strategic partnerships. She also served as the director of learning and programs at San Diego Grantmakers, where she developed programs and initiatives to increase the effectiveness of philanthropy in San Diego. Recognized for her exceptional ability to build strategies, forge relationships among diverse groups and develop innovative and impactful programs, Lisette enjoys working with organizations seeking to engage hard to reach populations, build partnerships across sectors and drive organizational change.Lisette graduated magna cum laude from the University of California, Berkeley, with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and did her graduate studies in Urban Planning at the University of California, Los Angeles. When she is not working or volunteering, she enjoys sharing a great meal with her husband, having dance parties with her young daughter and occasionally binge-watching a funny show.