Lisa Zais

Though she grew up in Boston, Lisa Zais (Holliston Citizen of the Year) has always been drawn to the country, and was in turn drawn to Holliston. Since she and her husband Kenny moved here in 1989, locals have noticed, in no particular order:

• The delightful hanging plants bringing color and beauty along the Bogastow Brook Bridge on Fiske Street.
• The inception of The Friends of the Holliston Police K9, for which Lisa served as president to support K9 Cesh. Fun fundraisers like the Spring Dog Walk, pictures with Santa and the Canine Calendar provided resources to build kennels at the police station and former canine officer, now Police Chief, Matthew Stone’s home.
• The Culture Connection at the Placentino and Miller elementary schools and Robert Adams Middle School, which introduced programs such as teaching students anti-bullying tactics and the experience of Holocaust survivor Marion Blumenthal Lazan.
• The creation of the Kids Community Harvest Garden at the Robert Adams Middle School, that together with teachers funded three plots to teach kids how to farm. They planted and maintained the gardens, and donated the harvest to the local food pantry for the past 10 years.
• The Chili Contest, which has been spicing up Celebrate Holliston for the past ten plus years.
• The launch of the Economic Development Committee last year, on which Lisa serves as a board member, to smartly plan and diversify economic growth.
• The distribution of donated muffins and other baked goods from Medway’s Muffin House Café to the Holliston Food Pantry, Mission Springs, the Senior Center, area shelters and other sites.
• The warm, inviting menu at the Downing family’s annual Sherborn Live Nativity, for which Lisa has served on the food committee for 17 years.

Lisa has a professional approach to everything she does for Holliston. This extends to her work as a Realtor® with Realty Executive Boston’s Holliston office. She has been affiliated with the agency since 2006, representing buyers and sellers for residential and commercial listings throughout the region. Earlier, Lisa had a long career as a court reporter. In addition to inspiring a fellow Hollistonian to nominate her for Citizen of the Year, 2017, Lisa’s husband Kenny, son Nicholas, a recent Quinnipiac University graduate and daughter Talia, a Senior at Sacred Heart University’s School of Nursing (Fairfield, CT), are constantly inspired by this down-to-earth, get-it-done member of their household. No doubt about it. Lisa’s tireless—and creative—commitment to her community is reflected town-wide.

And Lisa reflects: “I couldn’t have picked a better place to raise a family.” An animal lover, the family includes the German Shepherd Jackson, the Australian Shepherd Hanna and a rescue Australian Shepherd Aussie Mix, Luna.

Lisa Zais, Holliston Citizen of the Year - as originally posted in Celebrate Holliston, Sept. 16, 2017