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Lifeline Community Services Welcome Lisette Islas as New CEO 

The Board of Directors of Lifeline Community Services is pleased to announce Lisette Islas as the new CEO, joining the organization on January 9, 2024. Lisette’s appointment marks a significant moment in our organization’s journey, bringing in a distinguished leader with over twenty-five years of experience in community and economic development. 

Currently, Lisette holds the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Impact Officer at MAAC, a nonprofit that has offered programs and services throughout San Diego County for nearly 60 years. In this role, she focuses on the intersection of economic inclusion and mobility, housing affordability, and access to quality early care and education. In addition to overseeing all programmatic activities, Lisette is responsible for increasing the visibility, reach, and outcomes of MAAC’s work, and facilitates the leadership development for staff, board members, and volunteers. 

Previously, Lisette was the Vice President of Community Engagement and Programs at the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, where she focused on creating strategic partnerships as well as developing community- and capacity-building strategies. She also served as the Director of Learning and Programs at San Diego Grantmakers, where she developed programs and initiatives to increase the impact of philanthropy in San Diego. 

Board President Dr. Patricia Prado-Olmos served on the search committee that reached across California and vetted hundreds of applicants. Dr. Prado-Olmos expressed enthusiasm about the new appointment,

“We are thrilled to welcome Lisette as the new CEO of Lifeline Community Services. Her wealth of experience and deep commitment to our mission resonates profoundly with our vision for the future. Lifeline’s Board of Directors conducted a thorough and rigorous search and is confident that Lisette’s vision, combined with the dedication of Lifeline staff and the support of our community, will lead Lifeline to even greater heights. As we embark on this new chapter, we express our gratitude to Don Stump for his outstanding leadership and dedication and wish him the best in his retirement.”

After 16 years of dedicated service, Lifeline Community Services bids farewell to its esteemed CEO, Don Stump, as he retires at the end of 2023. Under Don’s guidance, Lifeline has flourished into a vital community resource, serving and connecting with over 25,000 individuals annually. “I am pleased to pass the baton to Lifeline’s new CEO, Lisette Islas, as the organization embarks on this exciting new chapter,” said Don Stump. “I have full confidence in Lisette to carry our culture and commitment to responding to emerging needs and serving the community with the highest integrity. She understands the mission and has the skills and relationships to lead Lifeline into the future, making an even greater impact throughout San Diego County.”

Lisette shared “I am very excited to be joining the Lifeline family. I have deep respect for the depth and breadth of services Lifeline offers. Its impact over the past 50 years is commendable and I am eager to contribute to its legacy. I look forward to building on the traditions of collaboration, responsiveness, creativity, and trust. Together, we will continue to empower individuals, strengthen families, and make a lasting impact in our community.”

Lisette graduated magna cum laude from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and a minor in ethnic studies. She pursued her Masters studies in urban planning, with an emphasis on public policy, at the University of California, Los Angeles. Ms. Islas also has a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Harvard University School of Business.

For general questions, please email marketing@nclifeline.org. For press inquiries please email Brooke Stance at bstance@nclifeline.org or call 760-419-9836.