Q&A with Vice President Lisa Ashcraft

Q&A with Lisa Ashcraft, Vice President, Contracts and Procurement

Lisa Ashcraft has led Abt’s involvement with Fisher House since 2014.

What does Fisher House mean to Veterans and their families?

The Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans' families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment at a hospital. Its motto is “Because a family’s love is good medicine,” and these homes are truly a source of healing. Since its founding in 1990, Fisher House has provided 9 million nights of lodging for 368,000 families, saving military and Veterans' families an estimated $451 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation through donated air miles. To date, it has built 86 comfort homes near VA and military hospitals around the world.

Why is Abt involved with Fisher House?

Abt has worked on veterans issues for many years. Major projects include the National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study, which provided important information about the long-term effects of military service in Vietnam, and numerous studies of homelessness among veterans. Each year, through our Community Connections program, we support organizations whose work advances our mission impact, and supporting our veterans and their families is a very important cause.  We’ve been involved with Fisher House since 2011.

What does Fisher House mean to you personally?

Several years ago, I was invited to volunteer at a Fisher House event sponsored by Abt. This was my first introduction to Fisher House, and I fell in love with the organization and its mission. For the past six years, I have been a member of the steering committee for the D.C. area’s annual Fisher House Golf Classic and have also been the Auction Chairperson each of the past three years.  Last year we exceeded our overall goal of $800,000 for that event alone! On a personal level, my husband, a former Army Green Beret, and I have gotten involved with Fisher House beyond the Golf Classic. We have held several successful fundraising events in Maryland, which includes donations for our running in the Army 10 Miler on the Fisher House team. I have encouraged others to make Fisher House their charity, too, and it’s a thrill to hear that they’ve made a contribution. 

Because there is no cost to families, operating these comfort homes can be achieved only through individual donations and the support of companies like Abt. We are proud to support the Fisher House foundation and the men and women in the military who serve our great country.

To learn more about Fisher House visit:  http://www.fisherhouse.org/