First, tell our readers a little about your background. Where are you originally from? Lisa Murphy Allison: I was born and raised in Manchester, N.H. and moved to Kaua‘i in 1996. I graduated with honors from Hesser College at the
First, tell our readers a little about your background. Where are you originally from?
Lisa Murphy Allison: I was born and raised in Manchester, N.H. and moved to Kaua‘i in 1996.
I graduated with honors from Hesser College at the University of New Hampshire and earned an Associates of Business Science Degree in Business Administration and Marketing. I have completed the first of a three-year program at CUNA’s (Credit Union National Association) Marketing Management School.
This will earn a Marketing Executive designation for the credit union when I graduate in 2014.
What is one thing most people don’t know about you that you would like them to?
LMA: I am a high school dropout. There, I said it. Yes, I dropped out of high school halfway through my junior year. I was 16 years old and living on my own and needed to work full time to support myself.
Eventually, I received my GED by enrolling in a employment training program that paid me while I studied. I spent a whole summer building nature trails, a ball park and working at a saw mill while studying for the GED exam.
How long have you been on Kaua‘i? What originally brought you here?
LMA: My mother is half Hawaiian and was raised by the Salvation Army. She has no siblings and both parents are dead. She met my father during the Korean War when he was stationed at Peal Harbor with the U.S. Navy.
They married in 1954 and since she didn’t have family in Hawai‘i, they move back to New Hampshire, where my father was born and raised a family of nine children. I have five amazing brothers and three wonderful sisters.
In January 2014, my parents will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.
When I was a young child, I was frequently made fun of by the way I looked, having had slanted eyes and dark skin.
I grew up in a predominately white, middle class neighborhood and in the ’60s attended school with mostly European and Canadian children.
The only time other kids saw an Asian person was on the nightly news because of the Vietnam War.
When I asked my mother why the kids called me “chink” she told me not to worry because I was not a “chink,” I was Hawaiian.
Now, I really didn’t know what that was, all I knew is, when I told my classmates that I was Hawaiian, they wanted to be my friend. Ever since then, I wanted to learn all I could about Hawai‘i and about being Hawaiian and dreamed that someday I would visit the home of my mother.
How does someone who is so highly involved in the community balance such a heavy work load?
LMA: Thankfully, my three children are grown, and I’m not having to run off to soccer practice or dance classes.
I make lists of all the things I want to accomplish each day and delight in the opportunity to cross any of them off. I challenge myself to set goals because it helps me to be more organized.
I am grateful for the leadership of my CEO, Corinne King and the KGEFCU Management Team. Without their support and guidance, none of what I do would be possible.
I like to refer to my work as “spinning plates.” I guess it has to be this way in order for me to stay motivated. I read somewhere that “procrastination is the assassination of motivation.”
I understand you like to read motivational and inspirational books. In your mind, who are some of the most inspirational people on Kaua‘i?
LMA: I would have to say I am inspired by like minded people. What I mean is, people who believe in giving back, people who through adversity rise above, people who don’t make excuses for themselves and who try to make the world a better place.
My short list would include Corinne King, CEO/general manager of KGEFCU for her vision and leadership. Randal Fransico, president Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, who seems to never get tired.
My loving husband Curtis Allison, who keep me grounded, and my three wonderful children, Adam, Laura and Lindsey, who taught me to be selfless and patient.
As a person who is highly involved in local schools, do you have any message you would like to send to Kaua‘i’s youth?
LMA: Find something you love to do and do it with a purpose. Find out who you are and discover your authentic self. Work real hard and don’t let anyone steal your dreams. Life is an adventure and the real education begins after you graduate from college. On the financial side, save, save, save your money! You never know when you’ll need it.
When you do find time to enjoy yourself, what do you like to do?
LMA: I really enjoy spending time with family, especially my 10-month-old granddaughter, riding motorcycle, shooting guns and watching football with my wonderful husband.
As I mentioned, I like to read motivational and inspirational books. My favorite books are “The Greatest Miracle” by Og Mandino, “The Magic of Thinking Big” by David J. Schwartz, “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie and “Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit” by Daniel Quinn. I would highly recommend these reads as a key to your success and as a essential element to your life as it has been for me.
I owe a great deal of my life and success to the teachings in these extraordinary books.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
LMA: In five years, I plan on still being a marketing manager for the best credit union on Kaua‘i. I love the work and I love the people. I would like to continue to serve our great island so that it can be a stronger and more sustainable community.
And I would like to teach financial literacy at the college level as an elective course toward a business degree. I believe a financially savvy youth is a financially healthy adult. They shouldn’t have to learn the hard way on how to manage their finances, protect their credit and save for the future.
As for the island of Kaua‘i, I would like to see it become more business friendly and to form partnerships between educators and businesses. There seems to be a disconnect between education and the workforce.
Students are not being taught the things emerging industries need them to know. And with a little luck, be around long enough to see it all happen.
