Lisa M. Kaplan has been the Executive Director of The Water-Walking Foundation since February 2007. Mrs. Kaplan brings to our organization an extensive background in education, numerous and varied personal philanthropic experiences, and a heart for Christ.

Born in Eastern Oregon’s Blue Mountain country, Lisa was raised on a ranch where she adopted a strong worth ethic, appreciation for traditional American values and a neighbors-helping-neighbors philosophy of life. Lisa graduated from Eastern Oregon University where she earned an education degree.

Lisa distinguished herself as an award-winning teacher during her nearly 20 years of high school teaching in Oregon and Washington (Teacher of the Year at University High School in 2004). During this time, Lisa worked with a full gamut of teens, from the behaviorally challenged to advanced placement and honors students. She also mentored teens as a basketball, track, cross-country and cheerleading coach, leading her cheer squad to the Florida National Championships three years in a row. Lisa has also worked with teens outside of school. As a high school ministry teacher, Lisa led youth mission trips and counseled teens on a personal level. She also served as a camp counselor/coach at youth basketball and cheer camps.

Lisa’s volunteer experience includes the Union Gospel Mission, Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, Darfur Project, Coats for Kids, Tree of Giving, Meals on Wheels, the Inland Northwest Blood Bank, Redeemer Lutheran Vacation Bible School and the Special Olympics. Although her two oldest children have left the house, Lisa now devotes her time to running The Water-Walking Foundation and raising her two step-children in Liberty Lake, Washington.