University of South Florida (USF) alumna Lisa Anne Mifflin is the 2023 Joyce Russell Kente Alumni Award recipient.
Mifflin was recognized at the April 22 awards ceremony, 22 years since the first ceremony was held.
View of the 2023 Joyce Russell Kente Awards and Scholarship Ceremony. (Photo courtesy of USF Alumni Association)
The award ceremony recognizes individuals who have shown leadership on issues and matters that affect the community.
There are two categories of recognition: Community Leadership and the Alumni Award. The Community Leadership award highlights an individual who has made significant contributions to the community. The Alumni Award highlights a USF alumnus or alumna who has made significant contributions to the community. Academic scholarships were also presented to outstanding students.
Mifflin, who holds a bachelor’s degree in finance (‘91) and master of public administration (MPA) (‘08), was originally born in Massachusetts, but relocated to Tampa as a child, where her family has lived since the 1920s.
After receiving her degree in finance from USF, Mifflin began working for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), a bureau of the U.S. Treasury Department.
“I started with the OCC as a bank examiner, reviewing the operations of individual banks to ensure they are safe and sound, and comply with federal banking regulations,” Mifflin explained.
“At some point I learned about the role of a Community Affairs Officer and the opportunity to support access to capital for underserved consumers and communities. At the same time, I wanted to come back to school and get a master’s degree. That led me to get a certificate in urban studies and then my MPA.”
In her current role with the OCC, Mifflin provides technical assistance and resources to bankers, community stakeholders and agency staff in her assigned markets of Florida and Oklahoma.
“My role directly supports fair access to banking and ensuring banks comply with the Community Reinvestment Act,” Mifflin said.
Mifflin, who has established two scholarships in the USF Black Leadership Network (BLN), a partnership-based group founded in 2016 focused on engaging the community and enhancing the educational and leadership opportunities, credits her time spent working in the financial sector and her personal university experience as to why she wanted to give back.
“My career has made me aware of the lack of Black representation in leadership positions in the financial services industry and in public policymaking—two sectors where leaders have direct power in deciding who has access to economic resources in this country.”
“My career has made me aware of the lack of Black representation in leadership positions in the financial services industry and in public policymaking—two sectors where leaders have direct power in deciding who has access to economic resources in this country,” Mifflin said. “Also, as a former working college student, I understand how an unmet financial need can derail a student’s college education. So, my scholarships are intentional about supporting the financial needs of students and focusing on the economic sectors that I represent.”
The two scholarships established by Mifflin include the Lisa Anne Mifflin Financial Services Scholarship, which supports diversity in the financial services industry and the increased representation of Blacks in the fields of finance and accounting, and the Lisa Anne Mifflin Public Policy Scholarship, which supports the increased representation of Blacks in the pursuit of advanced studies in public sector administration and policymaking.
Beyond establishing these scholarships, Mifflin is also an active participant in serval university committees and local community organizations.
“At USF, I serve on the executive committee of the Black Alumni Society and the diversity committee of the USF Alumni Association. I am also a member of the MPA Ambassador program and the College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Council.”
Mifflin (left) poses with USF President Rhea Law (right) during the 2023 Joyce Russell Kente Awards and Scholarship Ceremony. (Photo courtesy of USF Alumni Association)
“In my local community, I represent the OCC on the advisory board for the Hillsborough County Schools Academy of Finance, a program that promotes career pathways in financial services and I am a member of National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Tampa Bay Professional Chapter, where I support the local collegiate chapter as the Student Membership Coordinator,” Mifflin said. “I am an active volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries for over 20 years and also Treasurer for Sisters Network Tampa Bay, an organization that raises awareness about breast cancer prevention among Black women and provides support to survivors.”
“All of these activities are my personal commitment to support organizations that represent some part of my life story.”
When asked what being awarded the 2023 Joyce Russell Kente Award means to her, she notes that she feels her actions have been “seen”.
“It lets people know that while you can’t solve all of our societal challenges, just use your time, talent or treasure to do your part.”