I am Lisa Danaczko, an engagement strategist and urbanism nerd.
My Mission:
I bridge the gap between community initiatives and the people they serve.
For 15 years, I was a “fund- and friend-raiser” for youth-serving nonprofits across the Mid-Atlantic.
Collaborating with students, educators, families, civic leaders, researchers, and funders to launch place-based projects showed me how the built environment shapes a child’s life trajectory.
Building thriving neighborhoods takes intention, vision, and persistence.
Now, I work with public agencies, community nonprofits, and local businesses to co-design creative and sustainable solutions with the community.
From Main Streets and public parks to heritage celebrations and oral histories, the neighborhood is a dynamic classroom.
My Results:
I leverage my strategic communications and relationship-building skills to translate community data and authentic stories into mobilizing strategies.
- I raised over $20M in my career from foundations, corporations and local/state governments to launch place-based programs;
- I shepherded board members, staff, and funders through change processes and crises, including COVID-19, nationwide police brutality, and recessions;
- I coached executive teams on developing strategic plans and thought leadership to grow visibility and, in turn, their community of champions.
My Approach:
I build trust, amplify on-the-ground insights, and distill complex problems into actionable plans by asking questions at the heart of the matter.
- What stories do we tell to invite people into our community?
- What experiences do we offer to show they belong?
- What structures & practices do we build to keep them engaged?
- What shared vision do we cast to grow our vibrant community?
L. Rose Creative 