about

Lisa Wise’s work is anchored in building stronger communities, fighting for social justice and creating forward-thinking, purpose driven businesses.


Growing up throughout rural Idaho, lisa was surrounded by love but short on resources and stability. She sought security by building businesses from a young age, starting with her first of many enterprises, The Sherlock Holmes Detective Agency. Offices were open for business in her parents' backyard tool shed, but clients and their mysteries never materialized. But, like most passionate entrepreneurs she moved onto the next endeavor whether that be hustling as a dog-walker, snow shoveler, painted rock saleswoman or pet sitter. Today, Lisa is the Founder + Chief Strategist of Flock-DC, a family of real estate management companies that oversee two billion dollars of property in Washington, DC proper. Flock is a purpose driven, values based company that offers a new model for business in a world that will increasingly depend on companies to contribute to stronger and more sustainable communities.

Lisa's leadership is defined by vulnerability, humility, and a fierce passion for justice for all people. With the country suffering the impact of a global pandemic, an economic crisis and racial inequality, and a climate crisis unevenly impacting underserved communities, Lisa is stepping up in this moment with bold and unapologetic leadership, personal sacrifices, and a commitment to caring for her team members, her community and her family.

The journey

Lisa's career launched in the non-profit sector. She served as the Executive Director of a national environmental non-profit, oversaw operations for a DC-based healthcare coalition and proudly served Planned Parenthood Federation of America for many years as a national political field manager.


At the height of the great recession, like any other natural-born entrepreneur, lisa decided to pursue her dream of owning and running her own company, one that united her need to create security for herself and her family, and for others as well. Managing home(s) satisfied her passion and knack for business while creating an opportunity to change lives. Lisa believed then as she does today, that forward-thinking, purpose-driven businesses create pathways to real impact and meaningful change for individuals and communities. She elected herself to build a more equitable, community-oriented, and just world through business.

Lisa’s social justice leadership extends to her community work and thought leadership. She is tapped as an industry expert and advocate for equity regularly appearing in national publications and podcasts. She currently serves as Board Chair for Whitman-Walker Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center that is a national leader in affirming community-based health and wellness services to all with a special expertise in LGBTQ and HIV care. She is also a Commissioner Mayor on the DC Condo Association Advisory Council for the District of Columbia and an advisory member to Jubilee Housing. She is an active member of Leadership Greater Washington and Entrepreneur Organization, EO. She has an MA in cultural studies, a BMA in Media Arts, and BA in Political Science from the University of Arizona. Because who doesn’t love learning in the desert! A place as special to her as the Colorado plains she explored with Mortgage.

work

Lisa is the Founder + Chief Strategist of Flock LLC, a family of real estate management companies in washington, D.C. Flock is a purpose driven, values based company that offers a new model for business in a world that will increasingly depend on companies to contribute to stronger and more sustainable communities.


Flock’s inaugural brand, Nest DC took flight and disrupted the traditional property management paradigm offering a high touch, client forward business model that put people and place ahead of profit. Today, Nest DC is part of the Flock family of companies that fly in formation including Roost DC, Starling DC, and BirdWatch. Each delivers a totally unique experience to home dwellers throughout the region. In 2021, Flock’s most impactful program took flight. The birdSEED fund offers no-strings down payment grants to first time BIPOC home buyers in the DC and philadelphia areas. This housing justice initiative is a critical investment in a more just and equitable future and a counterpoint to the real estate industry’s racist history.

Lisa’s passion for the hands-on work of “landladying” took shape 25 years ago when she purchased a little historic adobe duplex in Tucson, Arizona. Property management had always been her side hustle, but in 2008, landladying for a living started to sound good, so she gave up her nonprofit political work knowing she could deliver real managing homes. Today, Flock keeps 65 folks employed and aggregates over 6.5 million in business annually. All told and all together, they manage over two billion dollars in real estate. And with her team, she built the companies one door at a time.

SELF-ELECTED

self-elected is a story of abundance.

part memoir, part business guide, and part manifesto.

it invites the reader to explore the convergence of social justice and profit.

order online.

buy in person.

listen on audible.

STACEY PRICE

co-founder + chief localist, shop made in dc


self-elected is the perfect kind of business book for entrepreneurs to read at any stage of their journey. part memoir, part how-to guide, lisa's story shows us that putting people over profit can also lead to financial success. but a little warning, don't read this if you are not ready to take action - this book reminds you of your civic role as a leader to make this a more equitable and prosperous world for all.

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JOANNA HA YEAN SHIN

architecture & human rights, project manager real estate development - apah


individuals who desire to venture into social impact entrepreneurship often struggle with the misconception that you won't make much money creating a mission-driven business. others battle with the guilt that you shouldn't make money since zero-sum theory has paralyzed some to believe that revenue means taking away from others you serve. i hope you grant yourself the permission to read self-elected by lisa wise and take part in a community that believes in a positive-sum change. a belief that everyone wins when companies are positioned based on the core values of sharing profits, valuing employees, and serving communities. wise reminds us that purpose means profit - for all.

SCOTT CASE

cto of priceline.com & chair of network for good


lisa wise provides the roadmap in self-elected for leaders who are ready to go beyond profits and leverage their business to push for a more equitable america.

ALEX ORFINGER

market president and publisher at washington business journal


lisa wise's book is an ode to purpose-driven leadership as it tracks her life journey. her focus on profit with purpose is a model business leaders should adapt and could lead the way to a more inclusive and equitable community for us all. she is someone to watch.

RAHSAAN BERNARD

president, building bridges across the river


in a time when there is a desperate need for counter-cultural thinking about profits its purpose and its impact on people, lisa wise delivers a challenge to all of us in business: intentional selflessness. self-elected is an experiential treatise on doing justice in business, it stands out as the conscientious objector of doing things the way it has always been done. it is a must-read for new entrepreneurs, those who have been at it at some time, and those who may be seeking a path different from what the prevailing culture has considered true success.

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STACEY PRICE

co-founder + chief localist, shop made in dc


self-elected is the perfect kind of business book for entrepreneurs to read at any stage of their journey. part memoir, part how-to guide, lisa's story shows us that putting people over profit can also lead to financial success. but a little warning, don't read this if you are not ready to take action - this book reminds you of your civic role as a leader to make this a more equitable and prosperous world for all.

Button

JOANNA HA YEAN SHIN

architecture & human rights, project manager real estate development - apah


individuals who desire to venture into social impact entrepreneurship often struggle with the misconception that you won't make much money creating a mission-driven business. others battle with the guilt that you shouldn't make money since zero-sum theory has paralyzed some to believe that revenue means taking away from others you serve. i hope you grant yourself the permission to read self-elected by lisa wise and take part in a community that believes in a positive-sum change. a belief that everyone wins when companies are positioned based on the core values of sharing profits, valuing employees, and serving communities. wise reminds us that purpose means profit - for all.

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