Today, we’re putting the spotlight on Lisa Schulze, Training and Education Coordinator for the Adolescent Health Project here at the Women’s Fund of Omaha. Lisa joined the Women’s Fund in April 2015 and previously worked as a health educator for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. She’s also worked as a career specialist with the YWCA in Lincoln.
We sat down with Lisa and asked her a few questions about her experience at the Women’s Fund, and what she likes to do when she’s not working on the Adolescent Health Project.
What’s your favorite part of working for the Women’s Fund?
My favorite part about working here is having the ability to work with diverse groups of people, from diverse walks of life on a unified mission. I enjoy working with different agencies creating a pathway to increase access to sexual health care and medically accurate information for youth. To see the energy, passion, and dedication of our staff and grantees we support, is amazing. I’m very mission driven so it’s a good fit.
Describe the Women’s Fund in 3 words.
Change-makers, Evolving Feminism
Best thing about living/working in Omaha?
I moved to Omaha about a year ago so I’m pretty new to the community. I’m a foodie so I’m loving discovering new places to eat, especially the innovative local yummy scene. I enjoy building new relationships and discovering interesting places and things to do. There are a lot of things going on. I was willing to move here from Lincoln; I firmly believe that if I’m part of a community-wide project, I should immerse myself and be a part of the community.
When you’re not working, what’s your favorite thing to do?
I am in love with going to book sales. I love scouring book sales for hours and finding rare and unique finds. I like to have wickedly awesome dance parties with friends. And a lot of my time is spent chatting and giggling with friends, I really dig that. I’m probably also too addicted to Netflix right now.
What’s one goal you hope to accomplish within the next year?
I would love to get published, I’m working on that. I would also like to improve all my methods for radical self-care. This is tough work, we have to work to change a lot of cultural norms, sexuality is nuanced and complex. I think it’s important that while we do this challenging work, we remember to be present and take care of ourselves. We need to be energized, especially for the young people that we’re working with.
What’s the most interesting or unusual job you’ve ever had?
I’m a certified mixologist, so I’ve learned a lot about the psychology of people by working in bars—especially hotel bars. You learn a lot about the plight of the human condition. It was always unpredictable. Navigating sexism within the bartending world was horrifying, but taught me a lot of life lessons.
What are you reading or listening to these days?
I’m reading Geek Love by Katherine Dunn and the latest issue of Bust Magazine. I’m listening to a lot of podcasts like Radio Lab, Two Dope Queens, and This American Life.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?
Sarah Silverman. She’s smart, sassy and bold.