Lisette Islas, Chief Executive Officer of Lifeline Community Services, is a transformational leader who has dedicated her career to furthering the economic and social strength of the San Diego region. She is passionate about developing innovative strategies that uplift individuals, families, and communities and has a strong track record of championing the advancement of leaders within traditionally underrepresented communities.
With over twenty-five years of experience, Lisette has become a pivotal figure in San Diego’s efforts to address and overcome systemic barriers to equity. Throughout her career, she has held a number of strategic leadership roles in prominent organizations in the philanthropic and nonprofit fields, including significant contributions at the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation and San Diego Grantmakers. Most recently, she was Executive Vice President & Chief Impact Officer at MAAC, a nonprofit that has offered programs and services throughout San Diego County for nearly 60 years. In this role, she focused on the intersection of economic inclusion and mobility, housing affordability, and access to quality early care and education. In her current role at Lifeline Community Services, Lisette guides the provision of vital mental and behavioral health services and economic development programs within San Diego County’s most underinvested communities. In that leadership role, she ensures that these programs not only meet immediate needs but also address the broader systemic factors contributing to inequity.
Lisette’s commitment extends beyond her role at Lifeline Community Services. She plays a pivotal role as a board member of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, where she serves on the Executive Committee as Vice-Chair, Inclusive Growth. Lisette is also an advisory committee member at the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute, where she contributes her expertise on planning and economic development strategies for Latino communities. Additionally, she serves on the Burnham Center for Community Advancement Board of Directors and volunteers with Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE).
Lisette graduated magna cum laude from the University of California, Berkeley, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and a minor in ethnic studies. She pursued her master’s studies in urban planning, with an emphasis on public policy, at the University of California, Los Angeles. Ms. Islas also has a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Harvard University School of Business, a testament to her dedication to excellence and leadership in the nonprofit sector.
Lisette Islas’ career is a reflection of her unwavering commitment to creating a more equitable and prosperous community. Through her dedication, visionary leadership, and inclusive approach, she continues to make a significant impact on the lives of people across the San Diegans region.
