OUR Leadership

I have always had a heart for the fatherless. I have been a foster teen mentor, had short-term placements in our home, and am in a role at Direction61:3 that brings together my hopes, dreams, gifts and skills.

My experience is over 20 years in small business, having worked in, on, and for businesses of all shapes and sizes. My interests outside of family, work, and ministry include music, DIY projects, and the outdoors.

First and foremost, my mission is to connect youth with a home so that they can switch from “survival mode” to “thriving mode”, realize their potential and unlock their success. Secondly, our youth cannot navigate this journey by themselves and need dedicated trained parents to come alongside them and walk this winding road with them. Neither path is easy, and both require tears, dedication, and perseverance.

Watching, guiding, and supporting our youth and parents in this mission and seeing dreams and hopes being realized is an “Absolute Slice of Heaven”!  These relationships along with the commitment and combined experience of the Direction61:3 team makes my job as the Licensed Child Placing Agency Administrator impactful.

Another big part of my job is making sure Direction61:3 maintains compliance with the many states regulatory entities, ongoing audits, and policies-procedures. I have thirty years of hands-on experience working in the field of social services with youth and families specializing in trauma and crisis. My other interests include eating cookies, reading, hiking, Zumba and boot camp workouts, and spending time with friends and family.

Direction 61:3 has given me an opportunity to continue serving youth in the foster care setting. As the Program Director, I am looking to further develop programs that benefit our youth and provide the supervision and training needed for our foster parents, respite workers and mentors that work directly with them.  

I have the privilege at Direction to use my 25 years of experience with a background as a counselor, houseparent, case manager and program supervisor in group care, foster care and social service to minister with other Direction staff and meet the needs of our foster youth. My driving passion is to be part of our foster youth’s growth emotionally and spiritually, as well as preparing our youth to live independently. I enjoy tennis, hunting, fishing, teaching martial arts, and spending time with my four amazing grandkids.  

I am honored to bring my passion for ministry, teenagers, and administrative excellence to serve the dedicated team, volunteers, and donors at Direction 61:3. With over 12 years of experience in student ministry and non-profit administration, an MBA, and a corporate business background, I am committed to making every day matter.

As a believer, I have witnessed the transformative hope Jesus provides in life’s toughest moments. It’s a profound blessing to combine my faith, experience, and enthusiasm to support our residents and foster youth.

Inspired by the words, “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way,” my hope and prayer are to empower our team and make a lasting impact on the lives we touch.

Throughout my life, I have had the honor of serving a wide spectrum of underserved populations through various organizations in order to meet physical, spiritual and emotional needs. I am a current graduate student working toward my degree in Professional Counseling with the goal of helping to bring healing to people in hard circumstances. I have a huge heart for teenagers and believe that every youth should feel safe, loved, and supported!

In my off time when I’m not in classes or studying, I love spending time with friends, traveling to places near and far, and practicing my needlepoint.

I have had the opportunity to work with youth in a variety of settings and am excited to continue serving youth and young adults at Direction 61:3. I am passionate about helping these youth as they learn the skills needed to live independently. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a background in team building, church ministry, and Equine Assisted Therapy. I am looking forward to using my experience to help foster youth develop essential life skills and build a stable and thriving future. 

Outside of work, I enjoy playing tennis, going on hikes, volunteering at church with the youth and young adults, and reading. 

As I have grown in my relationship with God over the years, and as an adoptive mom, my passion and deep desire to care for the vulnerable has grown dramatically. It is clear in His Word that Jesus has a tender heart for the hurting, and I cannot ignore that.

Although an elementary teacher by profession, I have served in ministry and missions for many years. My heart’s desire is to love like Jesus loves, make disciples, and make much of Him wherever He places me. I am honored to serve each and every young person that God brings to Direction 61:3 as Thrive Coordinator, and I pray they know they are truly treasured, valued, and loved by God, first and foremost!

Lisa Woody is a Christian wife and homeschool mom of 3 who grew up in New Hampshire and the DC area before moving to Texas 25 years ago. With a background in marketing and editorial work, she now shares her knowledge as a high school teacher, specializing in economics, government, and logic, while maintaining a passion for reading.

She has a heart for supporting foster and adoptive parents and youth. She is excited to help our youth transition into their full potential for the next season of life! 

 After spending twenty-six years in Henderson, Nevada working in healthcare administration, my husband and I felt that the Lord was leading us to make a move and in 2021, we arrived in Denton, Texas.  Although my career was focused working mainly with seniors, I have always had a heart for serving others including children and youth.  For over ten years, as members of National Charity League, along with my two daughters we had the privilege of volunteering together with many organizations that supported children and youth.  After moving to Denton, and volunteering as a CASA advocate, I was introduced to Direction 61:3 and became a volunteer and mentor. 

I am so excited for the opportunity to join the staff at Direction as Volunteer Coordinator.   I look forward to serving with the staff and many wonderful volunteers as we continue to walk alongside the youth that God brings to Direction 61:3. 

I am a retired engineer after nearly 35 years with a major defense contractor in the area.  When I heard about the opening at Direction 61:3 for a Property Manager, I thought this was right up my alley as God blessed me with enjoying the outdoors and the skills and aptitude for hands-on type handy-man work. 

It gives me great pleasure to assist with an organization whose purpose is to walk alongside older and aged out foster youth providing a faith-based network of support as they transition to become vibrantly independent young adults

I am currently serving as Houseparent and Maintenance/Groundskeeper at Direction613.  I never thought of serving in ministry until Jesus saved me from addiction, depression, and suicide. His mercy and guidance led me here.

I met Direction613 at my church in Denton. I volunteered to help with the groundskeeping at the Denton house and God opened door after door leading to the current position of houseparent and maintenance/groundskeeper.  My faith, life experiences and my own adoption motivates me to help the young men and women thrive as adults.  I am so blessed to witness their growth and to be a part of their lives.  

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30