HER CONTRIBUTIONS AND ENTHUSIASM EARN DLE MEMBER ALISA COSTA A FULL SCHOLARSHIP TO THE 2022 LEADERSHIP IMMERSION

Alisa Costa emerged from a round of competition over the summer to earn a scholarship to the upcoming DLE Leadership Immersion. Funded by members of the DLE Advisory Board, the scholarship award was based on applicants’ commitment to their professional development as well as the advancement of the DLE organization. 

Members of the Leadership Immersion Planning Committee, volunteers who have been meeting regularly to coordinate all aspects of the Nov. 4-5 event, reviewed scholarship applications and selected Alisa. 

Active in planning and participating in DLE in-person and virtual programs since 2021, Alisa is thrilled about her accomplishment and her future participation in the Leadership Immersion. “It’s such a special opportunity and I am super excited to be a part of it. I feel like I have jumped off a ledge (in recently launching a business) and the DLE is my parachute, saying ‘we got you,’ which will help take me to the next level.”

Alisa turned entrepreneur in 2021 when she made the move from non-profit work to starting a consultancy. The timing of the Leadership Immersion is ideal for this crucial career change. “Going off on your own can be difficult after being in your career for so long,” she notes. 

In her application, Alisa wrote “Consulting is about selling myself, and that requires networking and building relationships. I see building relationships during the Leadership Immersion as a great opportunity to identify organizations and industries that could benefit from my services.” 

She hopes to use skills gained through her experience in the Leadership Immersion to follow her passion of community engagement by helping organizations to be more inclusive and welcoming.

Alisa reflected on the value of the DLE’s virtual programming in her life—back when the pandemic made in-person events impossible. “Being stuck in my house on Zoom was very hard for me. I was desperate for connections, so I was grateful that the DLE had its Breakfast Clubs and Culture Chats. They brought real connections with people, not just sitting and watching.” 

Alisa recalls during one DLE virtual event early into the COVID lockdown phase, “Linda (Dulye) really helped me. This started a chain reaction. A lot of people participating also felt they were not in a good place at times and shared. I remember that moment was so powerful for being seen, valued, and supported that I hadn’t experienced in other Zoom spaces.”

Since that time, Alisa has been committed to building leadership and opportunity within the DLE community. She was a co-planner of the first in-person event of 2021, which welcomed new members to the organization. She actively connects with DLE members and recruits newcomers.

Alisa truly values the embodiment of the DLE spirit! Congratulations on your latest achievement. 

Alisa volunteering at the DLE’s first in-person program in 2021, “Go Beyond Virtual with Your DLE Connections.”