Hi! I’m Lisa Luken. I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Leadership with a concentration in Organization Development. My research focuses on the sustainability of rural and coastal communities. I am a research assistant working with an interdisciplinary research team studying the socioeconomic challenges faced by residents in coastal communities in Maine and Greenland.

My experience includes conducting qualitative interviews, co-facilitating community-based research events, analyzing data, conducting literature reviews, writing articles for peer-reviewed publications, and presenting findings to local and global audiences. Additional responsibilities include mentoring research assistants, writing grants, leading research team meetings, and maintaining data organization systems. Read more about my previous research projects.

I also facilitate workshops focused on individual and community wellbeing. Topics include simple living, leadership, women’s entrepreneurship, community building, and slow travel. My workshops are informed by my scholarly studies in leadership, fieldwork experience in Maine and Greenland, global conference presentations, 16+ years of experience in corporate financial management and team leadership, 10+ years of life coaching, entrepreneurial business development consulting, freelance writing, and project management, and 3+ years of nonprofit business development, strategic planning, fundraising, and capacity building.