Lisa Munde

Lisa is a maritime security researcher and a 2022-2023 non-resident Hoover Veteran Fellow at Stanford University who explores the intersection of geography, policy, technology, and current events in the maritime dimension. Her work at Hoover focuses on integrated statecraft approaches to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. 

 

She also leads Project Maritime, a special series for the Irregular Warfare Initiative--a joint venture of the Modern War Institute at West Point and the Empirical Studies of Conflict Project at Princeton University. 

 

Lisa has published academic work in the Stanford International Policy Review and written for publications including War on the Rocks, Council on Foreign Relations Blog, The Hill, Modern War Institute, and PanAm Post.

 

A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Lisa received the Wilson L. Heflin Prize for leadership in the humanities. She also served as the captain of the women's club tennis team. Upon graduation and commissioning, Lisa reported to the US Defense Attache Office in Madrid, Spain, and went on to complete tours as an intelligence officer, including deployments with an F/A-18C Hornet squadron aboard USS Nimitz in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and later with Naval Special Warfare. Lisa is a Joint Targeting School Graduate (valedictorian) and instructed targeting and weaponeering courses at the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center in Fallon, NV.

 

After completing active duty military service she moved to Palo Alto, CA and completed an MA from Stanford University's Center for Latin American Studies. Her research focused on the autodefensas movement in Michoacán, Mexico. 

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In addition to her current role in federal service, Lisa volunteers as a U.S. Naval Academy Blue & Gold Officer and represents Point Loma High School. She received the United States Naval Academy Excellence Award from the Dean of Admissions for the 2019-2020 admissions cycle. Lisa has also served as the vice president of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association San Diego chapter. She teaches Sunday school at The Rock Church in Point Loma and previously served as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate for foster youth in San Diego with Voices for Children. Lisa is fluent in Spanish and speaks basic Portuguese. 

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Passionate about education, Lisa also leads a new STEM initiative at Longfellow K-8 Spanish Immersion School, where her children attend. Designed to bring enrichment opportunities aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), the program aims to ignite curiosity, empower young minds, and foster a love for learning.

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Lisa resides in San Diego, CA with her husband and two children. She enjoys attending San Diego Loyal (USL) soccer games, collecting rare and antique maps, and playing pickleball.