Lisa Munde

Lisa is a maritime security researcher whose expertise lies at the intersection of asymmetric or irregular warfare and the maritime dimension. She was a 2022-2023 non-resident Hoover Veteran Fellow at Stanford University, where she explored modern challenges and opportunities in the maritime dimension--focusing on integrated statecraft approaches to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. 

 

She also founded Project Maritime, a special series for the Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI)--in partnership with the Modern War Institute at West Point and the Empirical Studies of Conflict Project at Princeton University. Lisa currently serves on IWI’s board of directors.

 

Lisa has published academic work in the Stanford International Policy Review and written for publications including War on the Rocks, Council on Foreign Relations Blog, The Hill, Modern War Institute, Irregular Warfare Initiative, San Diego Union Tribune, and PanAm Post.

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A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Lisa was awarded the Wilson L. Heflin Prize for leadership in the humanities and also served as the captain of the women's club tennis team. Lisa has served in a variety of assignments globally including at the U.S. Defense Attaché Office in Madrid, Spain, at sea aboard USS Nimitz in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and assignments with Naval Special Warfare. She graduated valedictorian from the Joint Targeting School and instructed targeting and weaponeering courses at the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center in Fallon, NV.

 

After completing active duty military service she moved to Palo Alto, CA and completed an MA from Stanford University's Center for Latin American Studies focused on Mexican and Colombian security topics. Her research focused on the autodefensas movement in Michoacán, Mexico.

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In addition to her current role in federal service, Lisa volunteers as a U.S. Naval Academy Blue & Gold Officer, representing Point Loma High School, and was recognized with the U.S. Naval Academy Excellence Award from the Dean of Admissions (2019-2020).  She has served as Vice President of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association’s San Diego chapter and previously served as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for foster youth in San Diego with the organization Voices for Children. 

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Passionate about learning, Lisa is also a volunteer coach and coordinator helping local students prepare to compete in various academic competitions, including the International Academic Competition (IAC) National and International Geography Bee.