Lisa Roy joined the Buffett Institute in 2019. She comes to the Institute from Denver Public Schools, where she served as executive director of the Early Childhood Department, managing a $57 million budget that supported more than 5,000 3- and 4-year-olds within the District, and 2,500 half-day slots with community providers. Roy was responsible for managing more than 40 staff members in support of licensing, coaching, and operations. One of her roles was to partner with the City of Denver (Children’s Affairs, Human Services, Denver Public Library), Mile High United Way, and the Children’s Museum to increase language and literacy skills for children from birth to Grade 3.

Previously, Roy has done consultant work for Grantmakers for Education as the organization's equity impact group lead and served as the executive director of the Timothy and Bernadette Marquez Foundation, focusing on improving educational opportunities and increasing access and options in health care and human services for underserved or under-represented populations. Roy worked in Washington, D.C., for the Center for the Study of Social Policy as a senior associate, supporting the Child Healthy and Prepared to Succeed in School agenda for the Annie E. Casey Foundation. She also served as a grant officer for the Piton Foundation and Daniels Fund, as a Head Start administrator for the City and County of Denver, and as a director of early childhood programs for the Clayton Foundation and Catholic Charities.

She holds a doctorate in executive leadership for educational equity from the University of Colorado at Denver and a master’s degree in counseling psychology and counselor education, also from the University of Colorado at Denver, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and speech community from the Metropolitan State College of Denver (now Metropolitan State University of Denver).