Meet Lisa Coleman

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lisa Coleman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lisa, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I attribute my resilience to my grandmother, Esperanza Hope Gomez. Born into a family of farmworkers, she faced numerous challenges, including dropping out of school in the third grade and being separated from her siblings. Despite these hardships, when she married my grandfather and became a stay-at-home mom, she refused to let her lack of formal education or difficult circumstances define her life. While my grandfather, who served in the military and later worked in civil service, was the main provider, my grandmother found ways to contribute financially. She took on various side jobs, such as doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, and reselling items long before it became popular.

Her resilience and determination paid off—she not only became the first homeowner on both sides of the family but eventually owned multiple rental properties. She was ahead of her time, always finding new ways to support her family. No matter what challenges came her way, she never gave up and constantly sought to learn. Self-taught in reading, writing, and what she liked to call “arithmetic,” she was a lifelong learner. Her family was always her greatest motivation, and she continues to be an enduring example of strength and perseverance for all of us.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a proud San Antonio native who has dedicated my career to serving my community with passion. Inspired by the nonprofits and mentors who transformed my early life, my husband and I created programs that empower young people and women, believing that every young girl deserves to be uplifted and that all youth should have opportunities, regardless of their economic background.

As CEO of The Marcus and Lisa Coleman Foundation, I oversee three programs: Coleman’s Corner, HYPE, and Soy Latina. These initiatives promote healthy lifestyles, encourage reading, build leadership skills, and provide mentorship for school-aged children. I’m also passionate about bringing opportunities to underserved communities, What drives me is a blend of my personal experience and desire to inspire others.

My husband, former NFL player Marcus Coleman, is my partner in achieving greatness, and our family is at the heart of everything we do. Together, we have three children—Nick, Gabriella, and Johnathan—and our grandson, Jaidon, who is dedicated to our mission as the Program Director of HYPE.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three qualities that have had the greatest impact on my journey are passion, a willingness to learn, and perseverance. It’s important to give yourself the time to discover what truly excites you. Young people often feel pressure to decide early on who they want to be, and while some may have a clear vision from the start, most are still figuring it out. We are always growing, and who you are at 18 can look very different from who you are at 28, 38, and beyond. My advice is to focus on what fulfills you and brings you joy. Let that guide you. This is your passion, and while it may evolve as you gain knowledge and experience, its core remains the same. For example, I spent much of my career in sales, a field where building relationships and networking are key. Those skills transitioned naturally into the work I do today.

Always remain open to learning. My love of reading has allowed me to continuously acquire new skills, and I’m always the first to volunteer for new challenges. We should never stop learning. If you’re not learning, you’re not growing or staying relevant. I recently had a conversation with an 80 year old who was telling me about the importance of Instagram in growing a business. If that doesn’t speak to how we should always be learning I don’t know what does!

Finally, stay determined. Throughout your life, you’ll encounter obstacles and moments of uncertainty. You may not always have the answers, but with perseverance, you can overcome those challenges.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m constantly seeking opportunities to collaborate with others because I firmly believe there’s something valuable to be learned from every person you encounter. Whether it’s their experiences, perspective, or skills, everyone has something unique to offer. I’ve found that we often share more in common than we realize, and it’s just a matter of taking the time to discover those connections. Building relationships and finding common ground can lead to incredible outcomes, especially when we align our efforts toward making a positive impact.

Right now, my focus is on connecting with individuals and organizations within the community who share a passion for giving back. Whether it’s through mentoring, donations, or educational initiatives, I’m looking for people who are committed to making a difference, particularly for young people. I truly believe that when we work together, we can create opportunities for the next generation to thrive, and that starts by bringing together those who want to contribute their time, resources, or expertise.

I would love to hear from anyone who feels moved to get involved in our mission. Whether you’re interested in serving as a mentor, helping host a fundraising event, making a one-time donation, or even presenting career opportunities and learning experiences to the young adults in our programs, your contribution can have a lasting impact. Each of these roles plays a crucial part in helping us guide and support the youth in our community, and we can’t do it without the support of passionate and dedicated individuals.

If you’re willing to take the next step and get involved in any capacity, I’d be thrilled to connect and discuss how we can work together to make a difference. I can be reached at: colemanscorner1@gmail.com or through any of our social media pages.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Joel Garcia – J Garcia Productionz

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