Lisa Marie Harris

Lisa Marie is a qualified financial expert with significant governance and regulatory compliance experience. She is the board president for the San Diego City Employment Retirement System (SDCERS) serving  on the audit and investment committees, a board of director for the California Fixed Income Trust (CalFIT) serving as Treasurer and Secretary and a board member of the Wakeland  Housing Corporation LLC., serving on the Finance Committee. While serving as the Board President of SDCERS,  Harris oversaw and guided the board through the transformation of a closed pension plan to a restructured  open plan to comply with State law requiring several years of negotiation with the pension plan sponsor,  employee unions and the pension plan.  

Lisa Marie is serving as the Chief Financial Officer for the San Diego County Water Authority in San Diego  California. Under her leadership, Lisa Marie directs a team of over 30 finance professionals providing  operational leadership and strategic financial expertise that has been regionally recognized by the San Diego  Business Journal as CFO of the year for exceptional operational oversight of the multi-billion utility and for the  execution of financial strategies involving a complex Private-Public P3 refinancing of the San Diego  Desalination Plant, largest in the Western Hemisphere as well as a unique financing restructuring resulting in  protecting the financial position of the water utility during the financial crisis caused by COVID-19. In addition,  the National Bond Buyer and Women in Public Finance awarded Harris as a Trailblazer in Public Finance for  outstanding contributions to the industry and as a top-ranked Chief Financial Officer. In addition, Harris was  recognized by the Secretary of State for the State of California, for her outstanding contributions to public  finance and her leadership at the San Diego County Water Authority.  

Prior, Lisa Marie was a Senior Vice President at Seibert Brandford Shank providing capital and financing  expertise to governmental infrastructure clients including water, wastewater utilities, airports, and general  government sectors. During her tenure as an investment banker, Harris provided financial expertise, and  strategy while raising over $1 billion in capital throughout California supporting complex and highly regulated  infrastructure projects. Harris held FIRNA 54 and 63 licenses.  

Lisa Marie has also served on numerous boards for California and national nonprofit organizations. Lisa Marie  is a past board member for San Diego County Pension System (SDCERA), and currently serves on the  Investment Committee for the San Diego Girl Scouts. Recently honored as a finalist for the San Diego Girl  Scouts Cool Women for her leadership in the region. Lisa Marie is a past national board member for  Governmental Finance Officers Association (GFOA), Women in Public Finance and founder of the San Diego  Chapter of Women in Public Finance serving on the executive and finance committees.  

Lisa Marie holds a master’s in public policy with an Economic Emphasis from the University of Michigan and a  bachelor’s degree in economics from University of California Berkeley. Lisa Marie is NACD Directorship  Certified and an active member of Chief, Athena Alliance and the University Club San Diego. She makes her  home in San Diego, California.