Incoming National Fisheries Institute (NFI) President Lisa Wallenda Picard was standing alone on a street corner in Washington D.C. in early November on her way to grab lunch when her phone rang.

On the other end of the line was retiring NFI President John Connelly, who was at the time being treated for an aggressive form of cancer that would eventually claim his life a few days later on Nov. 12.

Let's meet Lisa Wallenda Picard
  • Born in Sarasota, Florida
  • Married and mother of two daughters
  • Holds a Master’s degree in legislative affairs from George Washington University and a Bachelor’s degree in communications from Flagler College in St Augustine, Fla.