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Lisa Van Theemsche Gamma Xi - New Mexico State University
Washington Representative, The Union of Concerned Scientists
Which of the Delta Zeta shared values resonates with you the most? Community
Can you share a brief 5-7 sentence biography about yourself, highlight key moments in your career that have shaped who you are today?
Born and raised in New Mexico, Lisa Van Theemsche earned a BA in government and history from New Mexico State University. She moved to Washington, D.C. and worked on Capitol Hill for her New Mexico Congressional delegation in various roles for a decade.
Most recently, she served as legislative assistant to former Senator Tom Udall covering agriculture policy. Lisa also served as a legislative aide, correspondence manager and a legislative correspondent for Senator Udall, covering agriculture, environmental and natural resources, energy, arts & humanities, SNAP and WIC, and animal rights issues.
Currently, Lisa is the Washington representative for the Center for Science and Democracy program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. In her role, she works to advance science-based policy decisions on science regulations and democracy issues.
Who has been an invaluable mentor for your professional career? What did you learn from this friendship?
A legislative assistant by the name of Dominic Saavedra. When I first started on Capitol Hill, he was extremely helpful in fostering my early legislative career and trying to teach me to balance my sympathy and empathy with the tough life that is Capitol Hill. Some of his early mentoring taught me about working hard and being dedicated, which helped me gain my ultimate role of legislative assistant. He also taught me that well advice can work at times, other times it doesn’t and it’s okay to move on with your life to find further fulfillment. The same advice that landed me my dream role, didn’t work anymore once my boss retired and I was looking for new work. I ended in a different role that wasn’t for me. While my mentor tried to make it work, eventually he had to learn from his mentee that advice needs to change. In a way I helped him grow to understand that sometimes we have to make changes and move on.
How did you discover your passion and what opportunities have helped shape your curiosity for what you do?
I always wanted to change the world. Growing up in the early 2000s, I saw countless friends head off half way around the world to fight a war that no one was really sure why. Coupled with my love of studying history, I discovered other times in the past when similar situations were taking place. I slowly got involved in learning about the politics of those times. It was in my early days on Capitol Hill that I was able to combine childhood love of animals and the environment with policymaking to ensure we protect our natural recourses for future generations to enjoy. I continue to want to do so and ensure underserved communities have access to clean air and water, healthy foods and healthcare.
Looking ahead in your career, how do you envision continuing to incorporate generosity into your leadership style and professional endeavors?
Being a public servant was rewarding in that I could give back to the community. I was never going to win the lottery and be able to give to charities and organizations that could spread out my generosity. But working on policy that protects people’s access to healthy natural resources and food is one way I can give back to all communities. By protecting science, research and data, officials, people and the news can report on things correctly and allow the public to make informed decisions. Fostering interns in their early careers (as I once was) also allows me to help the next generation of public servants develop the many skills needed to work in Washington D.C.
How has your community helped you professionally? Is there a friend (or Delta Zeta sister) that has been behind you every step of the way on your career journey?
My childhood best friend, Elias has had to listen to my political and historical rants since middle school. He was there to practice my first interviews when I was trying to get internships and jobs on Capitol Hill.
Once I moved to Washington, D.C., I made two other best friends, Monique and my Delta Zeta sister Colleen. Monique helped me during some career transitions, ensuring I would find the same work I enjoyed doing in new non-Capitol Hill roles. Colleen was also there for those transitions.
Both watched me work on Capitol Hill for nearly a decade trying to better the country and my home state. They’ve been present for the tears of joyful hard work that led to wins and sad tears of lost battles. They supported me during the difficult days of public service that often didn’t even come with a simple thank you at the end, encouraged me when things just felt hopeless and offered me the community and support needed to face another day.
What does empowerment mean to you, and how have you worked to empower others in your career or personal life?
Empowerment can mean a lot of things. When I think of how others can empower me, it would be letting me shine in the work I’m good at and mentoring me on work I need improvement on.
When I think of empowering others, it’s showing support during and after their work projects (providing edits or feedback, being present for presentations or sharing their work with others). In addition to providing mentorship to interns if I can.
What does it mean to you to create an environment of belonging for others, and how do you carry that lesson into your personal and professional life?
Belonging means a lot to me. I‘ve had moments where I felt like I didn’t fit in at work, school, with friends, etc. I’ve learned trying to humanize folks during meetings gives us a few minutes to just be people. I learned things about colleagues who open up later over discussions about commonalities with just using a simple icebreaker at the start of a meeting. I try to greet new coworkers and offer check ins to see if they have questions or need help as they start. I also strive to get to know them and provide them with a safe space to feel welcomed. While I know that I won’t be able to provide belonging to everyone I come across, I can still be nice and welcoming to them.