Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Stout.
Hi Lisa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I spent the first 20 years of my career as a high school counselor (most of my years at San Marcos High School). In late 2018, I accepted a new challenge and opportunity as Executive Director of the San Marcos Promise, a nonprofit education foundation that helps students plan and prepare for their future beyond high school. Although I never pictured myself in this capacity, I knew firsthand the monumental task of helping each student navigate their way to a promising future. This position allows me to have a broader impact and help bring in resources to create change.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Not at all, but smooth roads don’t build grit or resilience so I wouldn’t have it any other way. I came from a low socioeconomic background with very little support at home, so school was always my refuge. I got involved as much as I could, took advantage of opportunities that came my way, and always worked hard. I was the first person in my family to go to college and truly believe that if it weren’t for a few adults who took me under their collective wing along my journey (one of whom was my high school counselor), I wouldn’t be where I am today. This is what inspired me to become a school counselor and help students dream big about their future, actualize their potential, and set on a path to a fulfilling life.
Taking a leap from education to the nonprofit world was a bit scary at first and (still) a steep learning curve. But it was a healthy risk and something I knew would take me outside of my comfort zone and help me grow both personally and professionally. My personal background and years as a counselor lend themselves well to this position as I’m able to speak through experience and empathy.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the Executive Director of The San Marcos Promise (TSMP), a nonprofit foundation working to connect education, business, and community leaders to provide opportunities and impact student futures. We realize that talent is universal, but opportunity is not. So we provide programs, resources and help create opportunities for students to learn about their strengths and interests & explore the many career and educational options that exist in their futures (we realize there are many paths to professional success beyond high school). We want all students to feel empowered to successfully launch and navigate their futures beyond high school.
Elementary and middle school students can participate in our Learning Enrichment to Achieve the Promise (LEAP) program. With an emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) courses, LEAP helps students explore their interests and create engagement while developing life skills such as creative problem-solving collaboration and digital fluency. LEAP programs run both after school and during the summer. High school students are served through our Future Centers, located onsite at each SMUSD high school. These sites offer programming and resources that help students discover interests and strengths, develop financial literacy skills, and prepare for college and career. Future Centers are staffed year-round (including summer) by our amazing Education Coordinators.
By investing early and often in our students and helping them reach their educational and career goals, we are ensuring that North San Diego County has a strong next generation of workforce leaders and innovators to maintain a robust and thriving economy.
What are you most proud of?
Our community partnerships! One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about working in the nonprofit sector is meeting and collaborating with such passionate, caring, giving people- from staff to volunteers to individual and corporate donors. The level of commitment to our collective mission is inspiring. For instance, we have an amazing partnership with Pima Medical Institute who fully fund our High School Education Coordinators (HSECs). Much of what we do for our high school population is possible because of our HSECs and this partnership. Pima has been instrumental in our growth and success, and we are always looking to establish new partnerships to help even more students.
As well, we’ve partnered with Nordson Corporation and Tech Corps to offer Techie Camps to over 580 middle school students (targeting those who are historically underrepresented in the STEAM field) over the past two summers. Students learn computer programming and coding in a fun, interactive setting. This valuable experience helps them gain confidence in their skills and envision themselves in a STEAM career. Hunter Industries has been another local supporter who invests greatly in the students and community.
There are many other community partners who help us achieve our mission from local businesses that offer job shadowing opportunities to our event volunteers to career speakers. We are so grateful for the support of our partners and couldn’t do this important work without them!
What sets you apart from others?
I’m relentless and get things done. I’m also genuine and always speak from the heart.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Yes! Get involved with The San Marcos Promise! Networking is critical but often hard to navigate, so we help bridge that gap. Many students lack the connections and know-how to get started, and many working professionals are more than willing to help but also don’t know how to get connected. So that’s where we come in. We want to help provide these opportunities for our students to make that initial connection. For example, through an event called Connect to Careers, we provide students exposure to the multitude of career opportunities that exist in their futures. Students have the opportunity to have lunch and network with local professionals and learn about their particular industry, as well as their career journeys. We host several different events like this throughout the year.
Contact Info:
- Email: lisa@thesanmarcospromise.org
- Website: www.thesanmarcospromise.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tsmpromise/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tsmpromise
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ0LEwnj77YBMTqW8hqh3xg/videos
