Lisa Thorpe-Vaughn is a distinguished leader, consultant, and expert in nonprofit management, with over 30 years of experience in fund development, strategic planning, and community partnerships. As the President/CEO of AYA Initiative, Lisa leads an organization that focuses on empowering nonprofit leaders through training, capacity building, and innovative solutions for sustainable social change. She is also the founder of the Non-profit Leadership Training Institute (NLTI), an organization designed to equip nonprofit professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to drive organizational effectiveness and community impact. In addition to her executive roles, Lisa is a sought-after national consultant to nonprofits, foundations, and government entities, advising on strategic growth, fund development, conference coordination and program sustainability. Lisa holds a Master’s degree in English, with a focus on Intercultural Rhetoric, from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, where she graduated with honors. She is an expert rhetorician, orator, technical writer, and community strategist, dedicated to fostering clear and impactful communication in nonprofit sectors and community-focused organizations. Before founding AYA Initiative and NLTI, Lisa served as Program Officer and Director of National Recruitment for Amachi, a national nonprofit dedicated to mentoring children of incarcerated parents. She has a deep track record of success in grant writing, securing funding from a variety of sources, including private foundations, corporations, and government agencies. Her expertise spans multiple areas, including federal grant reviewer, fundraising strategy, and donor relations, which has helped raise millions of dollars to support health and human services, along with social justice programs across the country. Among Lisa’s most notable roles was her tenure as the Executive Director of Amachi Pittsburgh, the first Amachi mentoring program in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Amachi Pittsburgh is in its 20 year of sustained operations. Under her leadership, the organization formed strong partnerships with local nonprofits, faith-based communities, and families, leading to its recognition at the inaugural White House Office of Faith/Community-Based Initiatives National Conference, where it was named one of eight national programs for its excellence in “Compassion-in-Action.”​​​ After more than 15 years of successful ghostwriting, Lisa published her first book, The Blackroom Experience: A How-To Guide for Intentionally Building Healthy Relationships, which reflects her philosophy of nurturing healthy, intentional connections—both personally and professionally.​​ Lisa is a recognized leader in the nonprofit community and has been featured as one of Pittsburgh’s “50 Women of Influence” for her ability to balance a successful career, community service, and family. She was also awarded the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh “Racial Justice Award in Public Safety” for her work mentoring children of prisoners and advocating for families impacted by incarceration.​​ Lisa’s expertise in fund development has been integral to her success in securing million dollar funding for organizations nationwide. Over the years, she has developed a unique ability to bridge the gap between funders and community needs, writing compelling grants and securing strategic partnerships that support long-term organizational growth. As a skilled grant writer and federal grant reviewer, Lisa has worked on both sides of the funding process, giving her a comprehensive understanding of what makes proposals successful and how to align organizational goals with funder priorities. Her ability to craft persuasive proposals has resulted in substantial funding for programs in health services, education, youth mentoring, and community development. Additionally, her work as a federal grant reviewer has provided her with invaluable insight into the evaluation and decision-making processes of government agencies, enabling her to help organizations navigate the complexities of securing federal funding. Lisa’s fundraising strategy has also helped nonprofits build diversified revenue streams, including private donations, corporate sponsorships, and government grants (on all levels; local, national, federal). She is adept at cultivating donor relationships and creating sustainable fundraising campaigns that ensure the continued success and expansion of critical services. By helping organizations develop and execute comprehensive fundraising plans, Lisa has played a pivotal role in expanding their reach and maximizing their impact on the communities they serve. Lisa serves on the Board of Directors for several nonprofit organizations, including the Strategic Planning Board of the International Church of God in Christ and Black Administrators in Child Welfare. She has previously served on the Juvenile Detention Board of Advisors for Allegheny County and continues to contribute her expertise to other national and local nonprofit boards focused on youth, families, and racial justice.