Lydia is driven by passion for solving local and community challenges, empowering thinkers to be leaders and agents of positive change, strengthening community relationships that reinforce and sustain the execution of a social mission, and realization of community vision.

Her life's work has been one of many roles and varied responsibilities, but all centered around the meaningful impact of community building, municipality and local business have on the placemaking of its residents. Her interests in food security, housing security and building thriving communities against the odds of discrimination, poverty, racism, sexism and problematic assumptions have brought her to where she is today.