TMG IRIS Consultant Biography
TMG IRIS Consultant Name: Lisa Walters
Joined TMG: March 2022
Phone Number: 844-864-8987
Email: IRISInfo@tmgwisconsin.com
Location & Experience
Other Experience:
Prior to joining TMG, I worked professionally with seniors, and adults and children with disabilities. I have worked side by side with seniors who wanted nothing more than to remain safe in their own home for as long as possible. I have also helped seniors who realized it was necessary to make that bold transition from their home into a care community that is right for them.
County/Region I'm Familiar with: Milwaukee
Languages or Communication Skills: English
More About Me
How do you Partner with people to 'clear the path ahead'?
I help people clear the path ahead by approaching people that are partnered with me and their family in the same way that I would approach someone in my own family. My aim is to recognize each person as a unique individual, see and understand things through their eyes, and connect them to the valuable resources and programs available in our community. My passion and motivation to help others is driven by empathy and honoring that person’s dignity and right to live a supported life. It is very important for me to make sure my partners feel safe and supported in their homes and connected to their community.
What's your favorite thing about being an IRIS consultant?
My favorite thing about being a TMG IRIS Consultant is building my relationship with the people I partner with so that they trust me and know I’m here to support them. It is such an honor to be trusted and invited into someone’s personal space. Many people may feel vulnerable when we first meet. I respect that, and work to make sure the people I partner with are able to trust me and share their concerns so that we can work together to help them reach their goals. There are so many barriers people face in life, and I love being part of a team that helps find solutions and supports to overcome these obstacles. We are all so fortunate to live in a beautiful state with social support systems such as IRIS. I am so grateful for my IRIS team of experts. I work with caring, talented people and leadership with many years of experience. They are invaluable resource for me as I support the people I partner with.
What past experience prepared you to become an IRIS Consultant?
I’ve worked with adults and children with disabilities as they transitioned from school to work. I have also helped their families find valuable resources that better supported their own care needs. In the past, I trained service and therapy dogs to assist those with physical and emotional disabilities. These dogs also served as therapy support in hospice end of life care. My personal experience of being raised by my grandmother and serving as her caregiver until she passed at 106 years old allowed me to see first-hand the physical and social journey of the aging process. This valuable life experienced has served me so well in my professional career: from working with educational institutions and nonprofit agencies (partnering often with the ADRC), to in-home care services, memory care, independent, and assisted living communities. I feel all my work and life experiences have been leading me to become a TMG IRIS Consultant!
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love travel and the outdoors. Any chance I get you’ll find me (and my husband) backpacking, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, kayaking, and exploring local and national parks. We were even married in Yosemite National Park on a cliff – I wore a wedding dress and hiking boots! I enjoy exhilarating things like skydiving and roller coasters, but also the peacefulness of activities like fishing on a boat, doing yoga, or sitting silently in the sun. Dogs have always been a huge, integral part of my life. Currently we with live with two charming and funny Cavalier King Charles Spaniels who often accompany us on these adventures.
