New Employee Spotlight – Lisa E. Baxter

The UW-Madison Libraries recently welcomed Lisa Baxter as a Financial Specialist in our Business Services office.

Lisa comes to the Libraries from the Division of Extension, where she worked as a Grants and Fiscal Specialist. Having always appreciated and liked libraries, Lisa was excited when a prior colleague who currently works at the Libraries shared the job posting and thought the position would be a good fit.

So far Lisa says the best part of her job has been the open and inviting culture of the GLS and her colleagues.

Outside of work, you’ll find Lisa volunteering with the Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners of the Americas, an international NGO. It started 50 years ago in Madison and eventually moved its headquarters to Stevens Point. The organization is part of the national Partners of the Americas, which was started by President Kennedy to link Central and South American countries with states in the U.S. Lisa has traveled with WNP to Nicaragua four times on service project trips that work to empower women in Nicaragua through Learning Centers.

In Madison, she enjoys visiting the Farmers Market and the Terrace, in addition to discovering fun neighborhood festivals with music. Over the coming months, Lisa hopes to explore the driftless region in Dane County.

Five Fun Facts about Lisa:

1. Favorite Color: Turquoise blue

2. An interesting fact: I’m a shareholder in my family farm in Central Illinois

3. Favorite book: I love all of Jane Austen books and reread them during the pandemic

4. Interesting UW-Madison fact you’ve recently learned: You can take ice cream making courses at Babcock Hall

5. Looking forward to: I can’t wait for the weather to get warmer so I can go swimming in all the beautiful lakes!