Lisa deJong

Events Coordinator

Lisa DeJong brings a rare blend of professional expertise, lived experience, and community leadership to her role as Event Coordinator for CIT International. A former Executive Director of NAMI Knoxville, Lisa has spent her career championing mental health awareness, crisis intervention, and disability advocacy. She is a seasoned presenter and trainer on CIT, behavioral health, and disability-related issues, known for her ability to bridge perspectives across law enforcement, mental health providers, first responders, and families.

Rooted in a deep personal connection to service, Lisa is the daughter of a police officer and Army veteran and grew up in a home shaped by both public safety and behavioral health care professions. Her family’s lived experience fuels her passion for person-centered support, compassionate crisis response, and systems that uphold dignity for individuals and families navigating mental health challenges.

Beyond her work in mental health and CIT programs, Lisa has contributed her skills to veteran and first responder charities, bringing visibility, resources, and trauma-informed support to those who serve. She also brings a unique background in professional sports management, where she honed her strengths in event operations, strategic partnerships, and high-pressure logistics—expertise she now applies to CIT International’s global training and conference events.

Dedicated, mission-driven, and relationship-focused, Lisa DeJong is committed to advancing the CIT movement and fostering collaboration that builds safer, more compassionate communities.