Washington State University Athletics

Lisa Waite joined Washington State University Athletics in 2018 as Associate Athletic Director for Design, Branding & Special Projects.

Washington native, Lisa Waite, started her Graphic Design career in 1993 upon graduation from Washington State University. Lisa worked in various creative businesses prior to her start in the NBA in 1996. The early work experiences included time as a designer within advertising agencies, design firms, in-house creative departments and as a graphic design freelance business owner. Three years upon graduating from WSU, Lisa assumed the position of Creative Director for the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics, the Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL) Seattle SeaDogs and the WNBA's Seattle Storm.

Upon the sale and move of the NBA Seattle Sonics to Oklahoma City, Lisa relocated to the Midwest to lead in the development of the team's branding and the upstart of the newly relocated NBA franchise the "Oklahoma City Thunder." While in Oklahoma City, she also worked as the Creative Director for the NBA's G-League Tulsa 66ers, later named as the Oklahoma City Blue. After 23 years in the NBA and eight years in the WNBA, she made the move back to her home state of Washington and alma mater to oversee WSU's Collegiate Athletics Emerging Media / Creative Services unit for the university.

Waite currently serves on multiple committees which are the WSU Athletics Strategic Planning Committee, WSU Athletics Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, DEI Committee Member, and WSU Brand Advisory Board Committee member. 

Throughout her career Waite has earned numerous awards and accolades which includes the "Journal Record Beacon Award" honoring contributions to the nonprofit community, award for submission to advocate literacy "Graphic Design USA American In-House Design Awards (GDUSA)," Four (4) American In-House Design Awards," Washington State Gallery Awards by Craftnet - Graphic Arts Excellence Gold Award" - for offset printing submittal "Seattle Pike Place Market - Popularity Award" submission for Pike Place Market Foundation "Ackerley President’s Award" - Parent company of Seattle SuperSonics, Award for Ethics and Excellence.

Civic engagement work of Waite includes: Past Volunteer Work - Prior to joining Washington State University Athletics:- Volunteer as graphic designer / interior designer to design and renovate interior rooms and spaces for: - Oklahoma City Rescue Mission - Homeless Shelter - Boys and Girls Club of America - Educational Facilities for Trouble Youth - Integris Hospital Pediatric ICU - Positive Tomorrow's - Homeless Elementary School multi-room renovations - Public Elementary and Middle School interior room and exterior playground area renovations Food Service Volunteer Work: - Volunteer for Seattle's Meals on Wheels - Volunteer at Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma - Volunteer at United Way of Central Oklahoma - Volunteer at The Salvation Army's Center of Hope (Oklahoma)

Waite is a graduate of Washington State University in 1993 where she earned her Bachelors' of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Graphic Design, Photography. 

Lisa and her husband, Gabriel, married for 16 years, have close ties to Washington state and the Pacific Northwest as their families live throughout the region. They now reside in Pullman with their dogs, Gizmo and Cowboy.