As a certified financial planner, Lisa Seran said her job is to “handle investments for people to make their retirement dreams come true.”

But in addition to her customers, Seran has made the dreams of another group of people come true, much farther from home.

In 2006 Seran traveled on a safari to Kenya, Africa. It turned out to be “a life-altering experience,” she said.

Visiting a remote village, Seran and her safari mates found a rural elementary school with no water. Inspired, she returned home and formed a non-profit organization to raise funds to drill a well, install and maintain a pumping station, and provide additional improvements to the school.

“It was a phenomenal trip,” said Seran. “You can’t help but go there and want to give something back.”

In late 2007, the group accomplished their goal.

Today the Friends of Timboni Feeder School have installed a water pump and 40-foot windmill, bringing water to not only the school but nearby community.  

“These kids had absolutely nothing except hope and I wanted to make sure they had hope,” said Seran.  

What three people would you most like to have dinner with?

My Grampa (Roy Stapleton), author Cormac McCarthy, Barack Obama.

What job would you like to try/not like to try?

Try: Registered Nurse for Doctors Without Borders.

Not try: Zoo janitor.

What was your first job?

I sold jeans to cowboys at the Casper Commissary in Wyoming. There were only two brands (Levi’s and Wrangler Jeans) and one style.

How did you get into this business?

I was flitting around sales jobs due to my low threshold for boredom and a friend suggested this (job) would never bore me. He was right. It’s a challenge every day. My relationships with my clients are very rewarding. It’s more than just giving advice on money and investments. I have the luxury of loving what I do for a living.  

What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

I have a well stocked tool box and I know how to use it. I love tools.

What is your favorite charity?

Hospice of Napa Valley.

What was your childhood ambition?

I think it was to have 12 children (I’m the oldest of six), until my mother pointed out how much the orthodontia and glasses would be for 12 kids.

If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?  

In Italy. I’ve had an itinerary for maybe 10 years, but something comes up every time.

What’s one thing Napa could do to help local business?

Support “green” business. I have a personal bugaboo about the ubiquitous plastic bags that merchants use and think it would be a great idea if businesses gave away permanent shopping bags and quit using the plastic ones. The bags never disintegrate and the African landscape is covered with them.

 

What other business person(s) would you like to see featured in “10 Questions?”

Ren Harris, Paradigm Winery.  

Kris Bartley-Jones, Healthcare Management Systems.

Tom LeMasters, Bank of Napa.

More from Lisa Seran

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

Taking the emotionality out of investing.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you haven’t yet?

Serenity.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

Less paperwork.

What’s your favorite gift to give?

Dinner at my dining table.

What’s on your to-do list?

Travel extensively all over the world, get caught up with my reading and organize my closets.

Who do you most admire in the business world?

People who leave the corporate world (willingly or not) to start their own business. Very rewarding, but also very challenging.

What’s the worst job you ever had?

Hotel chambermaid in Healdsburg. I lasted two days.

I can’t live without: Diet Coke.

For more information about Friends of Timboni Feeder School visit www.friendsoftimboni.org

To suggest a candidate for “10 Questions” e-mail: jhuffman@napanews.com