Lisa Scails is the Executive Director of the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut, a regional organization for resources, information, and support for creative leaders. The Cultural Alliance is dedicated to empowering the arts community to grow the economy and enrich people’s lives. Before joining the Cultural Alliance, Scails was a civil rights leader for many years. She served in several capacities on the local and state levels before retiring as President of the NAACP CT State Conferences of Branches. Her civil rights work included advocacy for legislative issues; training and mobilizing local leaders; coordination and building collaboration for local and statewide efforts affecting African Americans and the disenfranchised. As an entrepreneur, Scails worked as a diversity consultant and developed best practice policies, presented workshops, and implemented programs for business, schools, and political systems. She has done extensive
work with under-resourced youth and their families through special projects, community development and social service programming. Scails currently serves as a member of the Private Sector Council for Americans for the Arts; a member of the Western Connecticut Economic Develop District Advisory group; and a strong partner with the CT Office of the Arts through the Department of Economic and Community Development.