For her wise and passionate leadership of the American Psychological Foundation, spurring its growth and contributing to the transformation of the future of psychology.
For almost three decades, Elisabeth (Lisa) Straus, served as executive director providing leadership to transform the American Psychological Foundation from a small organization with less than $1 million in assets to a force in psychology that now provides $1 million annually in grants, scholarships and awards. She was in the role as executive director/executive vice president of APF for 27 years until her retirement in 2018, growing the organization and ensuring the excellence of its programs. Straus worked tirelessly over the years, building and ensuring strong relationships with donors and making many friends for APF. Early in her tenure, she and the APF Board of Trustees recognized the need to invest in students and early-career psychologists, by supporting their professional development with scholarships and grants. Straus was so strongly identified with APF that no one could imagine her retiring. She leaves behind a legacy of almost $20 million in assets carefully invested to support the future of psychology, the many staff people she mentored, strong relationships with donors, and many past and present volunteers and trustees who all benefited from working with her and miss her dearly.