Lisa Washington
Lisa Washington is a nonprofit executive, Director of Enrollment, and community leader with nearly 30 years of professional experience across teaching, corporate training, customer service, and business development. Her career journey has been shaped by individuals who recognized her passion for learning and gave her opportunities to grow. She began her career as a young instructor at the Boys and Girls Club, where she taught dance and discovered her lifelong love of teaching and mentorship. Early in her career, she also worked in customer service at Merck Medco Pharmaceuticals, where a meaningful interaction with pharmaceutical executive Jack Lemmon encouraged her to pursue a career in training and development after she assisted him with his prescription needs. That moment helped launch her path into corporate training, where she has continued to develop and lead training programs throughout her career.
Currently, Lisa serves as Director of Enrollment for Ambit Energy through MFA Ventures, where she trains customer service representatives on energy services, internet, and renter’s insurance products for providers including AT&T, Spectrum, Optimum, and Frontier. She has built her career in commission-based, 1099 roles that provide her the flexibility to focus on her greatest passion—community service. Lisa has worked with the same leadership for nearly 17 years, progressing through roles in collections, credit repair, and energy services while building expertise in customer experience, sales strategy, and workforce training. In addition to her corporate work, she is also the founder of Inner Beauty Mobile Nails, a business she launched in 2011 and later placed on sabbatical for nearly 10 years while dedicating her time to nonprofit development.
In 2020, Lisa founded Lead By Example, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving seniors through social, recreational, and health promotion programs that reduce social isolation and promote independence and well-being. Through volunteer-driven initiatives, Lead By Example provides meaningful community engagement opportunities that enrich the lives of seniors, volunteers, and staff alike. She also serves as President of the Zeta Amicae of McKinney, a role she has held since 2025, where she continues to demonstrate her commitment to leadership, service, and sisterhood. Lisa’s work allows her to balance entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, and community advocacy while operating from her office in McKinney, where she remains accessible to seniors in her community and committed to serving with compassion and purpose.
• 2022 Woman of the Year - Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
• First Black Ms. McKinney 1990
• Proclamation from the City of McKinney (received three times)
• 2024 Leadership of McKinney Class Graduate
• Facebook Verified Blue Check
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated
• Zeta Amikai of McKinney (President as of 2025)
• Nonprofit Organization of the City of McKinney
• Lead By Example
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Official
• McKinney Fire Department
• Church Garage Sale and Food Pantry
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my passion for helping others and my commitment to my community. People took a chance on me throughout my career because they saw how passionate I am and that I will get the basics down, make sure I keep studying, and keep moving forward. I try to learn as much as possible so that if somebody ever needs me, I can help them. I'm one of those people that if I'm focused on it, I'm committed to it, and I'm gonna see it all the way through, win or lose. If I can help somebody have a good day, then it'll make me have a good day. I'm not good at leaning on other people - I'm the one that people lean on. My boss tells me I need to put the mask on myself first, but I told him I can put the mask on myself and the person beside me at the same time, because that's who I am. That's my heart. Working with seniors, volunteerism, everything - that's my heart.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from Jack Lemon himself when I was working at Merck Medco Pharmaceuticals. I was only 22 years old, and after I helped him with his prescriptions and explained all his medications, he told me, 'You have a very lovely voice. I like the way that you explained everything to me.' Then he said, 'You're very good at what you're doing. I didn't know what this pill was, I didn't know what this is, you should do something in teaching.' That conversation changed my life. I went to my boss right after that call and asked if I could apply to be a trainer. Even though I had just gotten out of training myself, which took 8 months, they gave me the opportunity. Training to become a trainer took 14 months, but I became a trainer with Merck Medco, and I loved it. I loved teaching. From that moment on, I've been a trainer in every job I've had, and teaching has become the core of who I am professionally.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values in my work and personal life are helping others, community service, and making sure no one is left behind or forgotten. My heart is with my seniors - I don't want anyone to die in their home alone. I've seen it so many times where they fall and nobody knows they're gone. That's why I teach the ICE class (In Case of an Emergency) to seniors about using their phones and setting up emergency contacts so paramedics can reach their next of kin. I'm working with GoodRx right now to design a bracelet that will alert emergency services if a senior falls and hits a hard surface. I also believe in giving back to my community in every way I can. My nonprofit, Lead by Example, is really my mother's dream, and I'm just here to execute it. I love my community, and when my community needs me, I'm there. I help out with the politics of city government, I've run 3 successful campaigns, and I'm looking to run for office in McKinney in 2030. I believe in treating people with respect and telling them the truth, even if they get mad at first. I'm not a lecturer, but I'm really gonna tell you there's another way if you would have come to me sooner. I believe that if I'm focused on something, I'm committed to it, and I'm gonna see it all the way through, win or lose.