Creating Global Impact Through Purpose, Innovation, and Grace
Lisa Mae Brunson is a Creative Visionary, Speaker, Author, and Social Innovation Architect dedicated to impacting humanity on a global scale. She is the founder of Wonder Women Tech, Hiring Humans, the Mentor Magic Program, and the host of the Wonder Women Tech Show podcast and ROAR with Lisa Mae. Lisa Mae is a 2024-2025 Obama Foundation Leader and has developed Junior Innovation Camps for underserved youth, as well as STEAM programs for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing.
As a Black, Latina, and Indigenous woman, Lisa Mae is passionate about Culture, Transformative Leadership, Belonging, the Future, and Humanity.
She is a member of the Rochester Institute for Technology (RIT) National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) Employer Advisory Group. Her accolades include a nomination for the Women Leaders in Data and AI (WLDA) Awards in the 'Changemaker in the Field of Data' category, the 2024 Compassionate Leaders Circle Awards, and being a Top Finalist for the RevolutionHer Awards for Impact in Leadership. She was named one of the “100 Powerful Women” in Entrepreneur Magazine and recognized on the “Create & Cultivate 100” list, in partnership with Chevrolet. She was named on the 2025 Top 50 Future of Black America List by pocstock.
Lisa Mae was a Long Beach Post “40 Under 40” winner and has received awards from Congressman Alan Lowenthal, as well as the "Heart-Centered Tech" Award from California Senator Ben Allen.
Lisa Mae serves as Chair of the Commission for Technology and Innovation for the City of Long Beach, appointed by former Mayor turned Congressman, Robert Garcia in 2016 and reappointed by Mayor Rex Richardson in 2024. She joined the Board for California State University, Long Beach’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in 2021 and is a Duke Corporate Educator with Duke Corporate Education, the world’s leading corporate education platform. Lisa Mae is "Dare to Lead" Trained based on Brené Brown's research.
My North Star:
My North Star is the unwavering pursuit of empowerment, belonging, and transformative impact, driven by a vision to shape the future of leadership and humanity. As a visionary and futurist, I am committed to inspiring bold, authentic leadership and unlocking the full potential of individuals to create meaningful change. Through my work, I strive to bridge gaps, uplift communities, and redefine leadership with purpose, grace, and a forward-thinking approach that transforms the world.
Lisa Mae brings a unique approach to her work, projects, and relationships that is human-centric and innovative.
If you've been in my ecosystem over the past 20 years, (MySpace anyone?) you know that I live life bold and in the impact lane. I share vulnerably, have built events and global initaitives from the ground up using scant resources and a whole lot of gumption, and have taken an anti "Business 101" approach. I've had the honor of working with some of the most successful leaders, engage with the largest Fortune 500 companies, and worked with brands across the globe to do some really meaningful work.
I've designed programming for universities, chaired a Tech and Innovation Commission for a major city, and have skipped and hugged my way through the streets. I've always moved to the beat of my own drum and I bring that "out of the box" Visionary thinking to everything I do. If you're looking for something DIFFERENT that may feel slightly uncomfortable and new--I'm the leader to take you beyond your limits. Let's demolish Transactional Behavior together!
Inspired by: oprah, Brené Brown, viola davis, beatles, barack obama, dalai lama, martin luther king jr., kindness
Fun Facts:
Disneyland is my happy place!
i am obsessed with my maltipoo, Gracie Bella,
I was embarrassed of my 6th grade class photo.
I have hugged over 20,000 people since i launched my love, hugs, & inspiration campaign in 2007.
lights me
Humanity, Ella Fitzgerald, traveling the world, sushi, foodie, art + museums, road trips, all music, & hugs.
DIMS ME
Hustle culture, racism, wasabi, spam emails, inequity, hate, disingenuous humans, horror films, boring anything.
let's bond! what lights you up?
"I’m a Social Innovation Architect, Speaker, and Corporate Educator driven by a passion to build the Future Forward and leave a lasting impact. Whether I’m working with Fortune 500 companies, government and civic leaders, grassroots movements, or those who want to innovate, my mission is clear: To transform the way we connect, lead, and build for the future—one powerful and impactful moment at a time."
& create impact
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You Belong Here!
I intentionally curate my global ecosystem and community to create deep and meaningful connections.
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