Meet DEI Committee Chair: Lisa Bryant

Where do you work?
Community Engagement Coordinator, Detroit River International
Wildlife Refuge

What is your role within mParks?
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Co-Chair

What is your favorite park?
Harding Park in Ferndale


What's your go-to snack to fuel those energy-packed moments at work?
trail mix

Describe your perfect day at the park.
A perfect day at work would be to interact with youth and teens creatively outdoors all day with no interruptions from pesky adults. Just learning and growing together in the great outdoors. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in this industry?
Ironically my summer job became my career. I began my career literally at the bottom in a position that no longer exists for the City of Detroit Parks and Rec while still in high school. I fell in love with working within my own community and having a positive affect on participants of all ages is very fulfilling.  

What do you enjoy most about working in parks and recreation?
PEOPLE! I love people and the challenge of providing positive experiences.

How do you stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in parks and recreation?
mParks and the membership are always on the cutting edge with creative programming. Continuous networking efforts also provide wonderful opportunities to learn from others. To be a successful rec professional you must be an eternal student of your craft.  

Do you have any advice for those aspiring to pursue a career in parks and recreation?
Authenticity- don't be anyone else but yourself because your awesome
Humility - What you do is impactful in ways you could never imagine remain humble
Vision - always plan for the future your job is never done
Focus - set clear expectations and follow through until the task is complete
Have Fun! Recreation should always be fun and put a smile on your face

If you were a park amenity, which one would you be and why?
I would be the now banned old school horse on the spring that allowed you to rock forward and backwards as you touch the ground in the front and back if you pushed it to the limits providing hours of fun. Why is this my favorite because it required you giving your all to enjoy the experience. The harder you worked at rocking the greater the enjoyment but you had to give it your all. That is how I approach everyday. For me it is all or nothing anything less is unacceptable.

What's the weirdest talent or skill you possess that hasn't made it onto your
official job description?
I am great at picking up heavy atlas stones when I was competing at Strongman competitions.  

If your workday had a soundtrack, what songs would be on it?
Danny Gokey - Love God, Love People 

In the event of a zombie apocalypse, which park facility would you use as your
zombie-fighting headquarters?
The Hawk!

If you were an animal commonly found in parks, which one would best represent your work style?
An Eagle

If you could add one unconventional feature to a local park, what would it be?
Ga Ga Ball pit

What are your hobbies?
Anything Water related, Sampling and brewing craft beers, mindless fun outdoors

Tell us something about yourself others might not know.
I take random destinationless road trips with zero planning. We hop in the car usually for 7 days pack a bag then pick a main highway and drive aimlessly stopping whenever and wherever we choose. It is exciting and surprisingly relaxing to simply go with the flow this approach has created some of my best vacations.