Maritime Security. 

Lisa is a maritime security researcher whose expertise lies at the intersection of asymmetric or irregular warfare and the maritime dimension.

 

Hoover Fellowship.

As a non-resident Hoover Veteran Fellow at Stanford University, she focused modern challenges and opportunities in the maritime dimension emphasizing integrated statecraft approaches to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. 

 

Project Maritime | Irregular Warfare Initiative.

She also founded Project Maritime, a special series for the Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI), in partnership with the Modern War Institute at West Point and the Empirical Studies of Conflict Project at Princeton University. Lisa currently serves on IWI’s board of directors.

 

Publications.

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, Irregular Warfare Initiative, PanAm Post, and San Diego Union Tribune.

​​

Naval Officer. 

Lisa has served in a variety of assignments globally including at the U.S. Defense Attaché Office in Madrid, Spain; at sea aboard a nuclear aircraft carrier; and deployed with Naval Special Warfare in the Middle East.

​

Undergraduate Degree | U.S. Naval Academy.

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Lisa was awarded the Wilson L. Heflin Prize for leadership in the humanities and also served as the captain of the women's club tennis team. She holds a BS Degree in History with a minor in Spanish. 

 

Graduate Degree | Stanford University.

Lisa holds an M.A. from Stanford University. Her research at the Center for Latin American Studies focused on Mexican and Colombian security studies including the autodefensas movement in Michoacán, Mexico.

​

Community Volunteering.

In addition to her current role in federal service, Lisa volunteers as a U.S. Naval Academy Blue & Gold Officer, and was recognized with the U.S. Naval Academy Excellence Award from the Dean of Admissions (2019-2020).  She has served as Vice President of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association’s San Diego chapter and previously served as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for foster youth in San Diego.

​​

Volunteer Geography Bee Coach.

Passionate about learning, Lisa is also a volunteer coach and coordinator helping local elementry students prepare to compete in the national and international geography bee. One of her students reached the quarterfinals of the 2025 National Geography Bee in Orlando, FL.