About Lisa

Lisa Herzog is a strategic advancement leader with nearly two decades of experience driving transformational philanthropic growth for world-class nonprofit institutions. As Deputy to the Chief Advancement Officer and Campaign Director at the National Geographic Society, she led the organization’s first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign—a $1 billion initiative advancing the Society’s mission and long-term impact.

 

 

Under her leadership, the campaign raised more than $530 million towards its goal, including the largest gifts in the Society’s 135-year history ($53 million and $35 million). Lisa supported strategic organizational growth, doubling the Advancement team through a board-approved reorganization aligning structure, talent, and culture around performance and innovation. Lisa also launched the Society’s first Advancement Marketing team, introduced a data-driven engagement model, and launched and grew the Leadership Giving program by 625% over its first two years, laying the foundation for sustained philanthropic momentum.

 

 

Before joining National Geographic, Lisa served as Director of Leadership Giving at the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, where she redefined donor engagement and events strategy, achieving record fundraising and a 95 percent donor retention rate. She previously held senior development roles at the Brookings Institution, Golden Gate University, the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, and The George Washington University, contributing to campaigns ranging from $40 million to $650 million.

 

 

Recognized for her collaborative leadership and ability to build high-performing teams, Lisa is a sought-after advisor and presenter on campaign strategy and advancement innovation. A graduate of American University with a degree in Law and Society, she serves on the Association of Fundraising Professionals faculty and the Women’s Network Leadership Circle at American University. She lives in Oakton, Virginia, with her family.