Friday, March 2, 2012

Meet Lisa R. Engel - 2012 Woman of Distinction

Lisa Engel has been an outstanding volunteer leader for both The Birmingham Jewish Federation and Birmingham Jewish Foundation. She is the first person in The Federation’s history to receive both the Joanie Plous Bayer Young Leadership Award and Susan J. Goldberg Distinguished Volunteer Award, The Federation’s two highest honors. She is a past Federation campaign chair and serves currently as co-chair of its Jewish Community Relations Coalition and vice president of The Birmingham Jewish Foundation. She was a catalyst in the creation of the Birmingham Jewish Federation’s partnership with their Israeli sister city, Rosh Ha’ayin.

In addition to her active role in the Jewish community, Engel has served on the boards of Indian Springs School and Oasis Counseling, and currently serves on the boards of the Alys Stephens Center, as well as The Women’s Fund, where she served as co-chair of the new Domestic Sex Trafficking of Minors committee last year.

Through Girl Scouting and community service, she has learned to “let others shine” while working together. Earning badges as a Girl Scout, she could not work alone—she had to collaborate with others toward a common goal. Engel believes, “It is by working together that we truly move communities forward.” 

Engel will be honored at the 2012 East-Central Women of Distinction on March 9. For more information, visit girlscoutsnca.org/wodeastcentral