Meet Our Board

Lisa currently serves as the President of the A.I.M. to Empower board and has been a part of it’s efforts since she founded Evolution Power Yoga in 2001. The inspiration behind EPY and eventually A.I.M. to Empower, came from Lisa’s want for her community to be filled with people who are motivated to make a difference in their lives and live as their best selves each day. She realized that if everyone in the community had access to the kinds of life-altering tools that yoga provided her, the city would be a much better place to live. The organization still serves today as a fabric of the community as it supports each individual, regardless of circumstance, in living their best life. Lisa attributes much of where she is in life to Yoga and Meditation. These practices have freed her from limiting self-talk and given her a purpose, not only within herself, but also in supporting and inspiring others on their journey. A quote by Anais Nin serves as the basis of how she navigates life each day. The quote says, “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” It is a reminder to her that there is always a beginning, and that letting go of a limiting belief or habit can feel painful, but the letting go is what feels hard, not the new way of being.

Angie joined the A.I.M. to Empower board in 2019, and currently holds the Vice President position. She gained a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Science and is the Vice President of Business Development at Taylor Strategy Partners.

Yoga has provided focus and calm to Angie when the world has been fierce. It has taught her to look beyond herself and her desire to be perfect, and to know that everyday is a gift and a practice. Yoga has been life changing to Angie and her work with A.I.M. to Empower allows her to support others in experiencing all of the benefits she has found in the practice. Providing yoga to the people of the community that is so often overlooked and underserved is a gift that is personally meaningful to Angie. She says A.I.M. to Empower “gives the gift of getting curious, being intentional, and being up to something bigger than yourself.” Angie’s favorite quote is, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do/ with your one wild and precious life?” - Mary Oliver.

Debbie has sat on the A.I.M. to Empower board since 2018. She has earned a Bachelor of Science from East Stroudsburg University, a Master's of Health Science from Penn State University, and a School Administration/Principal certification from Shippensburg University. Debbie worked for over 30 years in education as a teacher and a school administrator, but has since retired.

Yoga and meditation practices have impacted her life in the sense that they have created opportunities for her continued personal growth and her physical and mental well-being. She is always happy to get on her mat and to do community building through A.I.M. to Empower. Debbie says that the organization and the work that it does is important to her because, “the surrounding community benefits from the innumerable ways that practicing yoga can positively affect a person’s physical and mental state”. Yoga itself means “union” and to Debbie, yogis practice individually and collectively to be whole in the truest sense of the word. She holds a Maya Angelou quote very near to her: "I learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Jennifer became a member of the A.I.M. to Empower board in 2020. She has received a bachelor’s degree and a certificate of Key Executive Leadership in Government. Jennifer served as the Deputy Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Currently, she is the Senior Director of Operations at a health insurance company.

Like so many others, yoga and meditation have transformed Jennifer’s life as she knew it. Her practice has increased her strength, flexibility, and reduced her stress. Jen believes, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world” - Gandhi

Damian Thorman joined the board in 2021 and holds an  Undergraduate in political science, MBA and Juris Doctors. He is the founder of True North Philanthropic Advisors, VP of Miami Dade college and Director of White House Social Innovation Fund
Yoga has helped him to inject balance and harmony into my life.

Favorite quote
The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. -Nelson Mandela

Michaele joined the board in 2021. She has been a college professor, non-profit leader, and a NGO representative at the United Nations. Michaele is ordained as a Buddhist chaplain and is currently enrolled in a Master of Divinity program. She is also a certified Yin Yoga teacher and leads meditation groups around the world.