Lisa Engel, one of the most versatile, talented and inspiring volunteers in the history of The Birmingham Jewish Federation, is the recipient of this year's Susan J. Goldberg Distinguished Volunteer Award. Lisa received far more nominations than any other nominee and was the unanimous choice of both an advisory committee that evaluates nominations and our BJF officers who make the final decision.

The award is given in memory of Susan Goldberg, an outstanding volunteer who passed away in 2005 while serving as President of The BJF. It is given annually to someone who exemplifies Susan's record of leadership, community service, philanthropy and integrity.

A skilled, passionate and generous volunteer leader, Lisa has been on the front lines of our Jewish community for 30 years. By receiving this award, Lisa will become the first person to have received both the BJF's Joanie Bayer Young Leadership Award and the Susan J. Goldberg Award -- further testimony to her record of volunteer service and leadership.

CRUCIAL CATALYST

Lisa has helped make The BJF what it is today. She was a crucial catalyst in the creation of the BJF's partnership with our Israeli sister city, Rosh Ha'ayin, and a superb and innovative BJF Campaign Chair. She has been a constant fixture on our BJF executive committee and board, and is someone who has never flinched from saying "Hineni" -- the word Abraham uses in the Torah to answer God when he is called upon. (Hineni is translated as "Here I am.")

Through her volunteer work, leadership and philanthropy, Lisa also has made a significant impact on the Birmingham Jewish Foundation, the NE Miles Jewish Day School and many other important causes in the Jewish and broader Birmingham communities.

"Lisa Engel is one of the most inspiring, caring, intelligent and remarkable volunteers in the history of our community," said BJF Executive Director Richard Friedman. "She is someone who has made a difference, will continue to do so and indeed merits this award. For 30 years, Lisa has inspired all who know her and has helped lift our Federation to new heights."

MODESTY & KINDNESS

Lisa and her husband, Alan, are among the most generous people in our community. They continue to support good causes and new ideas at an extremely generous level, and they do it with thoughtfulness, modesty and kindness. For 25 years, they have been major donors to the BJF campaign, and each year, as the campaign is about to begin, they are among the first to step forward and make their commitment.

As The BJF conceived of its new concept of inter-generational leadership pairings, Lisa was one of the first people we turned to, to help us introduce and develop this important new strategy. Our feeling was that she would be an ideal person to mentor and work with someone younger as we embarked on this new concept. As a result, she and Amanda Weil are sharing the volunteer positions of BJF VP for Community Relations and Jewish Community Relations Coalition Chair, and already they are making an impact.

Lisa, who is from Miami, Florida moved to Birmingham when she married her husband, Alan, who grew up in Jasper. She has an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and an MBA from University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has held marketing positions at both the Birmingham News and in their family business, Crowne Partners. Lisa also has taken graduate courses in Jewish Education from Siegal College.

Lisa and Alan have three children; Andrea, an attorney in Chicago, who is married to Kent Haines; Marci, a senior at Washington University in St. Louis, and Ilana, a senior at Indian Springs School.

ROLE MODEL

"It is the highest honor for me to receive an award named for my dear friend and mentor, Susan Goldberg," said Lisa. "Susan truly was a role model for me in terms of her leadership, her integrity and her lifelong passion! I continue to be inspired by the impact that she had on our Jewish community."

"My husband, Alan, and my children, Andrea, Kent, Marci and Ilana, have been extremely important in my leadership roles in our Jewish community," she added. "They have continually supported me, shared my passions, and also taught me so many facets of effective leadership. I am fortunate that they are an integral part of the work I do!"

Along with our Joanie Plous Bayer Young Leadership Award recipient Hilary Gewant, and The Birmingham Jewish Foundation's N.E. Miles Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Pat Weil, Lisa will be honored Monday night, Dec. 12. Susan Greene, a past president of The BJF, will present her with the Susan Goldberg award. Watch Update for details.