Professional Biography

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Lisa Temple is a seasoned higher education and workforce development leader with more than 30 years of experience advancing continuing education, lifelong learning, workforce development, and organizational leadership. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of leadership roles, including Director of Marketing, Budget Unit Director, Certification and Licensure Official, and Program Director. She has worked within centralized, decentralized, and hybrid continuing education models, providing strategic leadership that expands access, fosters innovation, and advances student and workforce success.

During her tenure at Old Dominion University, Lisa led initiatives that expanded educational opportunities for unemployed, underemployed, and dislocated workers. She directed recertification efforts for the Virginia Department of Education Career Switcher Program and worked to remove barriers that prevented individuals from pursuing meaningful career transitions into the teaching profession.

Recognized for her situational leadership approach, Lisa has advised and mentored thousands of aspiring educators across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Under her leadership, the Career Switcher Program achieved a completion rate exceeding 90 percent, an employer satisfaction rate above 90 percent, and a teacher hiring rate of 88 percent. She attributes these outcomes to the dedication of her staff, the expertise of experienced adjunct instructors, and a commitment to listening directly to school leaders and workforce stakeholders to understand their evolving needs. By remaining engaged in the field and fostering strong collaborative relationships, she helped ensure the program remained responsive, relevant, and effective.

Her efforts also generated more than $1 million in funding to support workforce development initiatives and expand educational access for adult learners facing employment and career transition challenges. She worked extensively to identify and secure resources that helped remove barriers to participation for individuals seeking new career pathways and economic mobility.

In addition to workforce development, Lisa collaborated with faculty members and industry professionals to coordinate continuing education and professional development opportunities for mental health practitioners and other professionals seeking career advancement and credentialing support.

A skilled partnership builder, Lisa has cultivated collaborative relationships with organizations, school divisions, community leaders, employers, and stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia to strengthen workforce pipelines and expand educational opportunities. Her commitment to collaboration and service has resulted in partnerships that support educational advancement, workforce readiness, and community impact.

Lisa maintains active professional affiliations with the American Marketing Association (AMA), the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP), and the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE).

Committed to lifelong learning, leadership development, and empowering others to navigate change, Lisa founded Polaris Future Shift to continue serving individuals, organizations, and communities beyond higher education. Through coaching, consulting, and transformational leadership development, she helps people align purpose with action, strengthen their personal and professional brands, and navigate transitions with confidence and clarity.