Lisa e. Johanon, Esq

Lisa Johanon is the founder and executive director of Central Detroit Christian CDC, a faith-based non-profit organization located in central Detroit. She has served in that capacity for 26 years and has been a Detroiter for 36 years. In January of 2021, Lisa stepped down as Executive Director and came back in 2022. She supervises a staff of 60 who are empowered to develop and coordinate programs, businesses and bright ideas in three areas: education, employment and economic development, and she oversees a $6.5 million dollar budget. To meet the selected goals in the specific areas mentioned above, CDC has implemented 11 education based youth and family programs reaching 500 kids on weekly basis; does extensive job training and placement for over 500 teens and young adults annually; has developed 17 different businesses of which 7 are still under our umbrella, and which employ up to 38 community members; provides extensive housing counseling services for over 1000 families yearly while helping first time homebuyers get educated about finances and financing. Lisa has developed over $30 million in housing with 100 units in process this year and over 75 in the pipeline (representing an additional $25 million in real estate). In February 2018, Lisa was highlighted in Crain’s Business Magazine as a top female real estate developer in the region.

Lisa serves on the following boards or advisory boards including: IFF’s Advisory Council, and Black Male Educators Alliance Board of Directors.

As a graduate of Wheaton College with a B.A. in Christian Education and Bible, and as a graduate of John Marshall Law School, Lisa has a diverse knowledge base and skill set that has led to her unique community development style and philosophy.

Lisa (and her husband Dan) have 2 adult children and many non-biological children throughout the central Detroit community they call home.