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Lisa W.
I’m a survivor of the Eaton fire (born and raised in Altadena) and blessed to have awakened in the night to the scent of smoke. I evacuated with my son at 3 am with no warning or order to leave. We are both lucky and so blessed to be called survived. I also lost my childhood home which was four blocks up from my own. I retired from a long career as an attorney and corporate executive to help even more families while I rebuild our home in Altadena. I’m committed to rebuilding the people, homes and businesses in my beloved hometown.
Why This Work Matters
I love that we have the honor of helping families in their walk no matter how challenging it is.
On culturally responsive care: It means you bring empathy to every interaction. Moreover, that
empathy is informed by your common experiences and connection to the community being
served.
Connection to Altadena
It is my hometown. I love its diversity and beauty. It is my safe space.
Meaningful tradition: Riding bikes to 7Eleven on Mariposa on Farnsworth Park and having to
walk the bike up Santa Anita due to the brutal incline. I also loved playing football with my friends in front of our house or in my backyard and pretending to be USC vs. UCLA! Trojan for life!!
In my work: We are bonded by our love of a beautiful space. My family knows that I am a
hometown gal and super resilient. They know I’ve seen challenges and that I understand the
difficulties they face intimately. They know that I will not stop working to cheer them on until
each family and our entire community is restored.
A Defining Moment
I helped a father and his two daughters as they were still unhoused (staying in his car and some
hotels) in November, some 11 months after the fire. When I received their case it immediately moved to the top of my priority list. In mid-November, I received a photo with them holding the keys to their new space, and that became the highlight of my Shared Harvest experience. We’re still working to get everything they need, but it’s been amazing to see how far they’ve come in
just one month.
How this shapes my work: That experience helped me to realize that we have so much work to
do and that every day brings a new opportunity to comfort and support our families.
Vision for the Future
My hope for Altadena: The completed restoration and/or improvement of it's people, homes and
businesses.
What I hope families feel: Loved, understood, supported and enthusiastic about the future!!
Bringing to the Work
Strengths: I have a real life perspective on disaster recovery. While I have much to learn, I think
my legal training has helped me navigate the insurance and legal claims processes. Moreover, I
share an intense love of Altadena and I understand what it means to grieve a loss on this scale.
On collaboration: It has helped me progress in my recovery as I’ve invested in other survivors.
It’s been a total blessing to me.
Beyond the Work
What brings me joy: USC football (Fight On), mentoring college students and leaders, painting,
weight lifting, pilates, golf, aqua aerobics and travel to the Bay Area!!
Favorite genres: Thriller
When not volunteering: Eaton fire Insurance/Litigation paperwork, meeting with architect/contractors, mentoring students and leaders, art class, weight lifting, pilates, golf, aqua aerobics and travel to the Bay Area!!
Fun fact: My first job was my best one: Baskin Robbins ice cream scooper. I launched World Class Chocolate!! I loved the free ice cream….
Words I live by: “Everything is well placed and has its season."