Lisa Williams, a native of Long Island, New York, after enduring years of mental, physical, sexual abuse and neglect, was abandoned and homeless at the age of 12 years. She did what she had to do to survive and determined very early on that “attitude is everything!” It has helped her to turn tragedy into triumph, obstacles into opportunities, and challenges into channels of hope for herself and others. Lisa’s passion to celebrate life is the hallmark of her existence.
Lisa understood early on that if she was to continue living she would have to fight back and protect herself from those who sought to harm her. And she did. At age 14 she began earning money by selling encyclopedias door-to-door to families of enlisted soldiers. By 18, she was licensed to sell insurance and financial services. As she quickly rose to be a top performer in this arena, she experienced success and financial independence, which helped to built her esteem and professional skills.
Along her journey, Lisa has chosen to seek healing from the emotional and physical abuse of her early years. As a result, she is passionate about empowering and equipping women and youth, who have faced similar circumstances. That is why she founded the Circle of Friends, a not-for-profit organization of women helping women, Living Water for Girls, a residential therapeutic refuge for young American girls who have been brutalized by commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking and Living in the Black, nationally syndicated radio and TV financial vignettes that provide essential information to help families eliminate debt and live a financially healthy life.
Lisa is wife to her best friend and mother of five biological and adopted children.