Lisa McNeal is a passionate, health-conscious community advocate and connector based in Milwaukee. She serves as the Regional Ambassador for the Diverse Chamber of Commerce in the Midwest, covering Wisconsin, where she dedicates her voice and ener
gy to fostering inclusive opportunities for small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs across the region.
Lisa is the proud mother of five children and grandmother to ten. Her life is a tapestry of rich flavors and cultures, shaped by a Southern and Jamaican heritage, with her cooking drawing from Southern, Jamaican, and Puerto Rican influences. Her mother hails from Alabama and her father from Jamaica, and she grew up amid the melting pot of New York, where diverse cuisines and traditions merged to inspire her perspective on community, education, and service.
Cooking remains a lifelong interest and a lens through which she engages with others, but Lisa’s primary focus is community impact. She emphasizes health-conscious living through everyday choices and models a “Cook with Love” mindset in how she mentors, supports families, and collaborates with local organizations. This philosophy guides her as she explores opportunities to turn her passions into formal initiatives while already making an impact informally through kitchen creativity and community cooking.
Professionally, Lisa’s journey is evolving from informal practice into formal entrepreneurship within the food-service space, yet her core work centers on community empowerment. She envisions ventures in catering for events, personal chef services, and a future-driven concept with a food truck, alongside expanding into event coordination, culinary consulting, and community-based food programs that spotlight diverse flavors and accessible, healthful options for families. She also brings extensive experience as an educator and active participant in PTA committees for elementary and middle schools, reflecting a commitment to education and ongoing community engagement.
Her resilience is a key part of her story. A cancer survivor who beat lung cancer, she has maintained remission since 2025, and she uses her experience to inspire others facing health challenges. Her leadership reflects the belief that community is a powerful bridge—connecting cultures, families, and entrepreneurs.
Through her role as Regional Ambassador, she aims to elevate diverse business voices in Wisconsin and the Midwest, mentor aspiring food-service founders from underrepresented communities, and promote programs that are flavorful, affordable, and nourishing for communities.