Remembering Lisa Fisher

1960 - 2010

Obituary - Lisa M. Fisher
Contact: Ann Bancroft 916-600-2970
or 619-435-5532 (landline)

Lisa M. Fisher, a public relations specialist who directed an award-winning reading campaign for the State of California, died Monday (Oct. 4). She was 50 and had been battling cancer for six months.

As director of the $4 million READ California campaign from 2000-2003, she created public and private partnerships to engage and encourage thousands of California schoolchildren and their parents to read every day. The campaign won more than two dozen awards from literacy, advertising and public service organizations.

"Lisa's passion for reading was infectious, and her dedication to spark excitement about reading in California schools made a real difference in children's lives," said Kerry Mazzoni, who wrote the legislation authorizing the campaign and was Secretary for Education under Governor Gray Davis.

In 2003, Fisher joined the state Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs becoming the Communications Director during the critical implementation of the voter approved Proposition 36. Lisa helped engineer a statewide public awareness campaign on the growing problem of methamphetamine abuse, and developed an award winning "tool-kit" for Drug Treatment Practitioners.

"Lisa was passionate about communicating the mission of our department, and as a central member of our leadership team, took pride in every thing she did. I will miss her vision, wisdom, and friendship," said Kathryn Jett, former Director of the Department.

Lisa was active on the State Information Officers Council and was an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America. She mentored CSU Sacramento students pursuing degrees in communication and public relations.

Born and raised in Arden Park, she graduated from Rio Americano High School and California State University, Sacramento. From 1985-95 Fisher had her own public relations firm in San Diego, where she also developed campaigns for literacy organizations, and recruited tutors to teach literacy in low-income neighborhoods.

She is survived by her parents, Henry and Mary Fisher of Sacramento, and brother Mark Fisher , sister-in-law Holly Fisher of Devil's Lake, North Dakota.

A celebration of the life of Lisa Fisher will be held:
Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 11 a.m.
Nicoletti Culjis & Herberger Funeral Home
5401 Folsom Blvd,
Sacramento, CA 95819.

A reception will follow at:
Arden Park Community Center
1000 La Sierra Dr.
Sacramento, CA, 95864.

In lieu of flowers, Lisa's family asks that donations be made to establish a scholarship for communications and public relations students in Lisa's memory. Checks should be made payable to Lisa Fisher Fund/University Foundation.

(In the check memo line - please indicate Lisa Fisher Fund)

CSUS Development Office
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819-6030