Since 1992, Dr. Lisa is the President and CEO of Parents Anonymous® Inc. one of the oldest family strengthening organizations dedicated to ensuring a just society where everyone thrives in resilient families and communities. She is passionate about advocacy and supporting the empowerment journey of Parents, Caregivers and Children & Youth all around the world. She oversees the ONLY California Parent & Youth Helpline and National Parent & Youth Helpline® to provide emotional support through calls, chats and texting. She created National Parent Leadership Month® to celebrate Parents worldwide and the National Certification of Parent Leaders that is competency based and has measurable results. As an accomplished researcher, she has evaluated how Evidence-Based Services build resiliency to mitigate the impact with adults and prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences in children and how to promote positive childhood experiences. Shared leadership® is the essence of how Dr. Lisa works to achieve meaningful partnership with Parent Leaders to create new practice models and implement true reform of systems and services that asks Parents, Caregivers and Children & Youth what support they need and delivers positive outcomes. She has published many studies and papers that reframe practice to align with social work values and foster the personal growth and development of all Parents, Children & Youth. Dr. Lisa is a tireless advocate for public policies that are anti-racist, anti-sexist and anti-classist and promote well-being in families and communities worldwide. Dr. Lisa has a PhD in Social Work, MSW, MPA and BS in Psychology and is a Clinical Hypnotherapist.
Company: Parents Anonymous® Inc.
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company
Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin: I have been honored to serve as the President and CEO of Parents Anonymous® Inc. since 1992. We are one of the oldest family strengthening organizations dedicated to ensuring a just society where everyone thrives in resilient families and communities. I am personally most passionate about advocacy and supporting the empowerment journey of Parents, Caregivers and Children & Youth all around the world, and love getting to do this every day. Right now, I oversee the ONLY California Parent & Youth Helpline and National Parent Helpline®, providing emotional support through calls, chats and texting to anyone who needs it.
If you were in an elevator with Warren Buffett, how would you describe your company, your services or products? What makes your company different from others? What is your company’s biggest strength?
Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin: Our legacy is widespread, authentic and culturally responsive since 1955. All Parents Anonymous® Programs are proven to be effective. An investment in Parents Anonymous® has tremendous immediate and long-term results of individuals, neighborhoods and society. We improve mental health and family functioning, and reduce substance abuse and domestic violence by supporting the empowerment journey of Parents, Children and Youth. We are unique because we truly partner with those we are here to serve. We believe that Asking for Help is a Sign of Strength®. Shared leadership® is our foundational strategy for program development and implementation, resource allocation, research and advocacy to create and support policies that build on the strengths of Parents, Children and Youth. We cannot sustain services 24/7 on the National Parent and Youth Helpline™ without the significant investment of philanthropists like Warren Buffet our universe is 174 million US Parents, caregivers and Children and Youth up to 25 nationwide. He is a parent and grandparent and understands the importance of accessible and caring emotional support through calls, text and live chat on any issue facing Parents, Children and Youth.
Quiet quitting, The Great Resignation, is an ongoing trend causing many businesses to struggle to keep talent engaged and motivated. Most are leaving because of their boss or their company culture. 82% of people feel unheard, undervalued, and misunderstood in the workplace. In your experience, what keeps employees happy? And how are you adapting to the current shift we see?
Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin: Employees crave human connection which in turn makes them feel valued. Flexibility to balance work and family life is another high value and can be challenging for all industries to accommodate. At Parents Anonymous, we allow clinical staff to work hybrid to reduce commutes but still give them the chance to feel the support of their colleagues in person.
Online business keeps on surging higher than ever, B2B, B2C, online shopping, virtual meetings, remote work, Zoom medical consultations, what are your expectations for the year to come and how are you capitalizing on the tidal wave?
Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin: Convenience is a key factor in receiving services and linking to resources. The National Parent and Youth Helpline™ and California Parent and Youth Helpline® offer evidence-based emotional support 24/7 on calls, text and live chats to accommodate all communication modes. We also offer Weekly Free Parents Anonymous® Groups online and in person including Weekly Children and Youth Groups in Person in LA.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as THE real challenge right now?
Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin: There are so many unique challenges businesses face. Right now, some big challenges we are seeing include balancing achieving outcomes, professional growth and creating services to need diverse challenges of families nationwide.
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin: The biggest thing people underestimate is continuous unrestricted dollars, which is particularly challenging in the non-profit space. Most grant funds from the government cost more administrative overhead and therefore drains other resources. A lot are also offered for 1-5 years, which is too short of a time to launch, enhance and commit to sustainability.
On a lighter note, if you had the ability to pick any business superpower, what would it be and how would you put it into practice?
Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin: My ideal superpower would be to raise billions of sustainable dollars for people in need. Our entire mission is focused on helping others, and I believe there is no greater thing one can do. The world already has superheroes who put their lives aside to help others, and that selflessness is a true power I admire.
What does “success” in 2024 mean to you? It could be on a personal or business level, please share your vision
Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin: My 2024 idea of success would be creating a viable corporate and philanthropic team to raise millions. Our team is fantastic at getting support and using our funds where they are most needed, but I always dream of doing even more. Succeeding in creating a team to raise millions would allow us to help so many more parents, guardians and youth not only nationwide, but even worldwide, and that would be the greatest achievement.
