And Still We Rise!
This year, our theme is “And Still We Rise!” We asked our honorees to reflect on how they have risen above challenges—both professionally and personally. Their responses honor the obstacles they faced, the strength they discovered, and the determination that carried them forward.
“I pray for strength and understanding, trusting in God that all things are ultimately working out for my good, regardless of how they appear. I give my all and work hard to make it through challenging seasons, keeping in mind that challenges result in increased strength and growth that allow me to rise above the circumstances”.
Lisa Edmonds
Director, Allegheny County Department of Equity and Inclusion
Lisa Edmonds, a native of Pittsburgh, PA, is a member of Mount Ararat Baptist Church, where she serves on the Caring and Sharing Ministry and as a teacher in the Sunday School Ministry. She currently serves on the steering committee of an organization addressing housing concerns in the Hazelwood neighborhood. She has also served as a board member for the Hazelwood Initiative and as a member of the Hazelwood community’s steering committee that developed the neighborhood’s comprehensive plan.
Lisa is the Director of Allegheny County’s Department of Equity and Inclusion, formerly known as the Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (MWDBE) Department. In this role, she assists minority, women, and disadvantaged businesses seeking resources, contracting opportunities, and DBE certification. She serves as Oversight Committee Chairperson for the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program (PA UCP), which consists of eight government agencies across the state of Pennsylvania and represents government recipients of United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) funding, as well as the state’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession DBE Certification Program. She is also responsible for helping to ensure an inclusive and equitable environment within the county and its external-facing services, while promoting shared prosperity through community development and expanded opportunities.
Lisa is involved in various organizations, including the Southwestern Pennsylvania Engineering Outreach (SPEO), the MWDBE Governmental Committee, the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council, and the Women’s Business Enterprise Center–East, all of which support minority and women-owned businesses.
In 2014, Lisa earned her Certified Compliance Administrator (CCA) credential, followed by her Master Compliance Administrator (MCA) certification in 2016, and her Executive Certified Compliance Administrator (ECMCA) certification in 2022 through the American Contract Compliance Association (ACCA). Previously, she worked as a Project Engineer for URS Construction Services and served as an MBE/WBE Procurement Specialist for the City of Pittsburgh’s Office of Minority and Women Business Enterprise.
Lisa is a proud graduate of Hampton University, a historically Black college and university (HBCU) in Hampton, Virginia, where she earned her B.S. in Electrical Engineering.
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