Retirement Announcement

IMPACT celebrates two careers whose work strengthened our community

RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Honoring Decades of Leadership

As IMPACT looks to the future, we take this moment to honor two exceptional leaders whose vision, integrity and institutional knowledge have helped shape the organization and strengthen our community.

Director of Research & Evaluation Lisa Larson and Senior Account Manager Bob Waite have shared their plans to retire in 2026, concluding extraordinary careers marked by commitment, collaboration, and critical system change.

Together, Lisa, and Bob represent more than 60 years of dedicated service to IMPACT’s mission. Their work has strengthened outcomes for individuals and communities, and ensured that IMPACT remains a trusted, innovative partner for service providers, funders and stakeholders throughout Southeastern Wisconsin.

The Board extends its deepest gratitude for their enduring contributions and is committed to honoring their legacies by building on the strong foundation they helped create.

Lisa Larson, PhD, Director of Research & Evaluation

As Lisa Larson enters her 33rd and final year at IMPACT, she leaves an enduring legacy of integrity, insight and partnership. Beginning her career with The Planning Council prior to its merger with IMPACT, Lisa has helped organizations across the community better understand client needs; evaluate programs addressing substance use, mental health, and healthy families; and translate data into meaningful improvements. Her thoughtful guidance, rigorous standards and collaborative approach have made her a trusted resource for partners working to strengthen outcomes and sustain their impact.

Bob Waite, Senior Account Manager

Beginning in 1985 as a volunteer with the Underground Switchboard – now IMPACT 211 – Bob Waite accepted a full-time position with the organization in 1997. Over 28 years later, Bob Waite’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping how the organization listens and responds to community needs. Bob has helped transform community data into trusted insights, producing reports that inform partners, funders and decision-makers while identifying trends and gaps in services. As a highly-respected, front-facing representative of the organization, Bob’s collaborative approach has strengthened partnerships, supported emergency response and planning efforts, and reinforced IMPACT’s role as a trusted convener and data source across Southeastern Wisconsin.