Lisa Danaczko serves as the Vice President, Strategic Growth & Resource Development, with the Forum. In this role, she engages youth champions to support opportunities for young people to thrive within their schools, careers, and communities. With more than 13 years of nonprofit experience in the arts, higher education, out-of-school-time (OST), and youth development fields, Lisa is dedicated to ensuring every learning experience is joyful.
Prior to joining the Forum, Lisa garnered support from local-to-national philanthropy to advance national nonprofit BellXcel’s research, innovation, and partnerships in OST. She has also provided strategic communications and external affairs consulting for emerging and “small-shop” nonprofits across the Mid-Atlantic. She previously managed constituent engagement and development operations at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and School of Education, where she worked closely with interdisciplinary educators, community advocates, and researchers. Lisa has applied her passion for youth development and creativity as an assistant teacher, guest artist, and board member for Baltimore-based nonprofit and social enterprise Wide Angle Youth Media. In every role, Lisa finds energy and inspiration from weaving together organizations, people, and ideas to build collective impact strategies.
Lisa holds bachelor’s degrees in art history and creative writing from Columbia University and a master’s degree in writing from the Johns Hopkins University. Her rewarding nonprofit career and foundational knowledge of inclusive community outreach and programming began in the nation’s renowned art institutions—Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art, Artforum International, The Museum of Fine Arts-Houston, and Contemporary Art Museum-Houston. Today, Lisa maintains her creative practice by writing short stories and taking photography. That is, when she is not volunteering at the local animal shelter and exploring the world with her partner and their rescue, senior pit bull.