Initially, Spokane native Lisa Gardner was not interested in a leadership role at the NAACP. After becoming involved in the nonprofit, however, she quickly worked her way through the organization’s ranks as communications chair, second vice president, first vice president, and now president. 

She’s also the director of communications for the Spokane City Council.

Gardner is most proud of bringing back the youth council, a program for which her grandmother, Sarah Gardner, was an advisor in the 1980s. “From my memory, she loved it, so I feel honored to have revitalized the group under my presidency,” she says.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in science communications, minor in African American studies, Eastern Washington University; master’s degree in public relations, University of Maryland.

What's the best piece of advice you've received? At 16, my dad told me, “Have character; don’t be a character.” Since then, I've made an effort to check my ego to stay grounded, humbled, and not too animated. Admittedly, sometimes I have main-character syndrome.  

What advice would you have for others looking to follow a career path similar to yours? Understand that out of college, you may not go directly into your field of choice. I had worked many jobs before landing in public relations. As for NAACP, start by simply joining.  

Excluding the pandemic, what's the biggest business challenge you've overcome? Pay sacrifice to start my consulting business in 2017. I had to work at a call center for supplemental income while I worked on my consulting company.