Lisa Finegan, Co-Director of ICEF Student Leadership Academy
Lisa represented Team USA at the 2019 Malaysia World Cup and has earned a spot on the USA High-Performance Women’s extended squad for the upcoming 2024 World Cup in England. She is a certified World Rugby Educator and was recognized as the World Rugby 7's Series USA Developmental Coach of the Year Award in 2021. Lisa was nominated as a WISE LA Woman to Watch in 2020, received ‘Athletes in Excellence Award’ by the Foundation for Global Sports Development in 2021, and proudly secured the 2024 Positive Coaching Alliance's National Coach of the Year Award.
From Ireland, Lisa pursued her academic journey at St Mary's University, London, where she earned a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science, majoring in Sport Psychology. She later pursued higher education at Brunel University, London, earning a Postgraduate Degree in Secondary Teaching and a Masters in Education.
As a Director with Inner City Education Foundation (ICEF), Lisa is deeply passionate about enhancing quality education. She holds a pivotal role as the Co-Director of the ICEF Student Leadership Academy, promoting a holistic approach through Academics, Arts, and Athletics; the 3 A's of ICEF's blended learning educational model. Her belief is unlocking potential through a college-ready model, nurturing social-emotional learning, through project-based learning and inquiry-based teaching.
Lisa, Co-Director of ICEF Rugby, is one of the driving forces behind the character building and leadership development rugby program. She has led multiple teams on cultural and educational rugby expeditions worldwide, including Africa, Japan, Fiji, Hong Kong, The Philippines, Brazil, and New Zealand. The journeys are captured in the many rugby documentaries made, showcasing the sport's profound influence worldwide. ‘An American Rugby Odyssey’ takes center stage, broadcasting on premier platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Fox Sports 2, inviting audiences to witness the transformative power of rugby on a truly international stage.
As a true advocate for athletes' well-being, Lisa contributes to the Advisory Board for Courage First Athletes Helpline. This initiative, rooted in the expertise of the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline and the Foundation for Global Sports Development, strives to empower athletes and communities involved in youth sports. The goal is to ensure fair play and safe participation in athletics across all age groups.
