Lisa Acee Szymanski is a founding member of Resolve Parkinson’s and since 2023 has served as its President.
Lisa grew up in West Seneca, N.Y. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hamilton College and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Buffalo. She now lives in Lee, New Hampshire.
Lisa’s life and work have centered around assisting children in disadvantaged circumstances. An educator by profession, Lisa began her career as a Program Coordinator for a day school program on the campus of a residential treatment facility for adolescents in New York State. Her job was a mix of crisis management and community ambassador because Lisa needed to actively support the unique, and sometimes challenging, needs of the students in her care while simultaneously staying connected to the schools and families that sent those children to her. The outcome was to facilitate a successful return to home environments.
Shortly after moving to New Hampshire in 1999, and deciding to stay home with her children, Lisa became involved with Our House for Girls, an all-girls residential home in Dover, New Hampshire After serving many years as the President of the Board of Directors, she learned that Our House for Girls made a genuine difference in the lives of the girls who passed through its doors, many of whom are now living as responsible, productive citizens.
Lisa is currently serving as an Educational Surrogate Parent for the New Hampshire Department of Education. She is assigned to work with students whose parents have either lost or had their parental rights put on hold by the family court system, stepping in to make educational decisions relevant to students’ special needs. This work is almost always rewarding, especially in those moments when the successful resolution to a given problem comes out of creative problem-solving and solid teamwork.
Lisa and her husband have three children. When they were younger, they could be found at the pool cheering for a fast sprint, along the Charles River rooting for a nimble row, or at the hockey rink clamoring for goals. Now, Lisa dedicates her spare time to supporting the mission of Resolve Parkinson’s.
Because Lisa has dedicated most of her professional time to philanthropic work, it is easy for her to support Resolve Parkinson’s. Lisa believes the mission to uplift a disadvantaged community, listen to the voice of those who often go unheard, and the desire to effect positive change in the face of a seemingly hopeless situation is a challenge she’s happy to embrace.
