Lisa Leonardo ’93 Makes Mark All Over Country
(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – One of the best volleyball players in Carnegie Mellon history, Lisa Leonardo is still a force to be reckoned with on the court. Now 40, the 1993 graduate won a reverse coed doubles tournament in Portland last July, beating a pair of college student-athletes to claim the title.
Leonardo grew up in Southwestern Pennsylvania but has moved around the country since graduating from Carnegie Mellon. Leonardo went on to get her master's degree at the University of Illinois and has also worked in Virginia, Idaho, Oregon and Washington state. Her athletic past has helped her meet new people in each place she's called home.
"I do still play a volleyball or softball tournament here and there. Sports in general are the first activities I link into to build a network of friends in every city I've relocated," Leonardo said.
It has been an interesting path for Leonardo, who was recently named to the Carnegie Mellon All-UAA 25th Anniversary Volleyball Team for her accomplishments as a student-athlete at Carnegie Mellon. Leonardo's first job was at the corporate offices of Dick's Sporting Goods. She then went on to graduate school and worked in athletics at the University of Illinois before becoming a business analyst for the Hecht's Division of the May Company and for MCI in Arlington, Va.
In 2001, Leonardo relocated to the west coast and began exploring a new interest – animal health. She became assistant director of development and fundraising for the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University and then worked for Fort Dodge Animal Health in Portland until 2009, when the company was acquired by Pfizer. She now works as a contractor for Nike, Inc., World Headquarters, Global Store Operations, based in Beaverton, Ore.
Moving around has been a challenge for Leonardo, but she has maintained a positive outlook, especially for her almost 3-year-old daughter Mia. Leonardo's participation in athletics is partly to find an outlet for her competitive spirit, but also to model the way for her daughter. Leonardo is active in dodgeball, kickball, softball and volleyball leagues. She has also competed in sprint triathlons.
"After some time off, I got back into sports for balance and to make sure Mia was exposed to seeing her mom play sports," Leonardo said. "Having a baby and traveling extensively for work took a toll on my health for a period of time, so it was time to take charge of my health and body by getting back into sports."
Fifth on Carnegie Mellon's all-time blocks list with 174, Leonardo was selected as a first-team All-UAA performer in 1991. She was selected to the second team as a senior in 1992. While the individual accolades are important, Leonardo takes the most pride in the relationships she built with her teammates and friends.
"My closest and most supportive friends are my teammates from Carnegie Mellon. They've been my rock," Leonardo said. "It was a time in my life when I was a part of something bigger. We were the first team to go through the UAA and I thought it was special to be a part of something like that. It's nice to know our generation at CMU had an impact."
With the economy being a challenge, especially in the Pacific Northwest, and a large family in the Pittsburgh area, Leonardo is looking ahead for an opportunity to return to her Pennsylvania roots.
"I have multiple generations of cousins and I want Mia to know what family means to me. Because we're so far away, it's hard for my family to come visit," Leonardo said.
Leonardo, who is an active member of the Italian-American Community Service organization UNICO Portland, looks back on her time at Carnegie Mellon with fondness and encourages all current and future student-athletes to get everything they can out of their Tartan experience.
"My best advice to the girls would be to build friendships with CMU students from all disciplines, sports and interests," Leonardo said. "Balance in life is important because at the end of the day, family, friends and sports will always be there for you."