Lisa Palmieri, PhD is passionate about shaping the future of learning by designing equitable experiences that engage the heart, mind and innate skills in youth. Lisa is the Head of Enterprise Programs for the Americas at MURAL on the LUMA team that works with both international and national organizations to spread awareness and use of design thinking in order to “make things better” and remove barriers that prevent innovation from spreading. She brings over 25 years of experience and a background in learning & development. Previous to MURAL Lisa was the President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania. She has been a school administrator as Head of School (Executive Director) and Chief Learning Officer at Nazareth Prep, a progressive independent school focused on bridging education to employment skills gaps in the region for students who’ve been traditionally untapped for STEM careers and The Ellis School where she was CIO and Director of the Learning Innovation Institute. As an independent consultant Lisa has worked with over 10 school districts and charter schools to develop strategic plans, offer professional development and write grants. 

She received a Bachelor of Arts in public relations and design from Duquesne University as well as a Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing and Master of Science in Technology. Her Doctorate of Philosophy was earned at Robert Morris University in Instructional Management and Leadership. Lisa was awarded Non-Profit CIO of the Year by the Pittsburgh Technology Council in 2013. She was honored to join Big Picture Learning and the Internationals Network for Public Schools as a Deeper Learning Equity Fellows in 2016. She’s been named an ASCD Emerging Leader, Robert F. Kennedy Urban Education Leader of the Year finalist, “Who’s Next in Education,”  40 Under 40 by Pittsburgh Magazine and Pittsburgh Business Times “Women of Influence.”

Lisa serves as a Lead of Remake Learning’s CSforPGH working group. She believes partnerships and culturally relevant experiences launch innovative ideas and programs. She’s on numerous volunteer advisory committees in the region and is the President of the Board of the Advancing Youth Initiative at Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship and on the Board for Queen’s Gambit.