NWTA Leadership Bios – Lisa Olivares

Lisa’s first taste of riding trails was over twenty years ago at Kickapoo State Natural Area in Illinois—a place where “elevation” changes are courtesy of decades-old surface mining practices. Mountain biking, along with many other outdoor activities, continued to play a huge role in her life as she moved from Illinois to Utah and now Oregon. 

She has worked for 25+ years in the nonprofit and planning sectors, including with statewide river conservation organizations and in education; and has also worked as a county-level urban and regional planner in Utah. She holds an undergraduate degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences with a focus on Biological Sciences and a Master of Urban Planning (MUP), both from the University of Illinois.

Lisa enjoys spending loads of time riding, hiking, and running on trails with her husband and three kids (when not on the sidelines of a soccer field or cross-country race). If you ever see her out on the trail, there’s a good chance a stash of gummy candy is in her pack, as she’s not above bribery to keep kids moving on the trails. Don’t hesitate to say hello and ask for a few pieces.