This week we chatted with Lisa Boucher! Read on to find out why the City Park bandstand is so special to her (the sweetest story!), what inspired her to get into the field of Human Resources, and what hobbies keep her busy when she finds some spare time.
Tell us about yourself!
Hi - My name is Lisa Boucher and I am the HR Director at Double H Ranch as well as Vice-President and Co-Owner of Women in Networking Connect, Inc. (WINC). WINC is a social and professional networking group of women empowering women. Our mission is to offer women a place to connect, share and grow. We are true believers in empowering each other and “strength in numbers!” Our passion is to inspire and empower women to pursue their true passions in life.
My hobbies include teaching Tae Kwon Do classes and women’s self defense classes for over 20 years as part of Murray’s Family Martial Arts in Hudson Falls. There is something about empowering a woman to feel she can protect herself or her family that I cannot begin to describe. My husband and I also truck and tractor pull together and travel all over New York State and have gone as far as Ohio to compete! I just love the noise of a big motor and the excitement of the competition! I also love the freedom of traveling in our motorhome and stopping at places along the way to just camp out for the night.
My life’s passion has been about empowering others to live their best lives and be the best they can at whatever their heart leads them to. I got into Human Resources as I saw it as a way to help employees be more productive and happy at work, while at the same time helping the organization retain and coach good employees for longevity. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone succeed and be happy coming to work every day. It’s ironic that I ended up at Double H Ranch as my cousin was one of the very first campers there and I feel like I’m able to give back to an organization that gave so much to our family. (I don’t believe in coincidence though - I believe everything happens for a reason!)
When my closest friend and business partner, Cristine DiCaprio, approached me at about starting WINC I was all in. To provide a way for local business women to connect and thrive through an all women’s networking group was really exciting to me. Being able to impact local small businesses and families through such a fun and inspiring venture has been so rewarding and I cannot begin to list the amazing things we’ve seen happen through this group.
On Life in Glens Falls
I was born and raised in South Glens Falls and have always loved the Glens Falls area. We have some fun city events, like plays at the Wood Theater, concerts at the Cool Insuring Arena, the Adirondack Balloon Fest, as well as amazing countryside to tour and live in. It’s really the best of both worlds in my opinion!
I live in Kingsbury with my husband Jeff, and our 4 rescue kitties, Buddy, Maggie, Jack and Chloe. My husband and I both have chosen to live and work in this area because we love the change of seasons and the diversity of the area. Our families also still live in the area and we love to be near them and spend time with them. I cannot imagine living more than 15 to 20 minutes away from my parents!
A Perfect Glens Falls Day
A perfect day in Glens Falls to me would start with breakfast at The Exchange Cafe, hitting the local farmers market, lunch at Samantha’s Cafe, shopping the great local shops downtown, and then ending the evening with a great country concert at the Cool Insuring Arena with dinner at Davidson Brothers! (I may like to eat just a little too much and there are so many great places downtown it’s hard to choose just one!)
On the Past
One of my fondest and favorite memories of Glens Falls is Christmas Eve 1998. My husband and I had been dating for about a year and he knew I just love to see the band stand at City Park all lit up for Christmas. After an evening of family parties, he stopped downtown on Ridge Street at about 11 p.m. and told me to get out of the truck. I thought I’d done something wrong but did it anyway even though it was super cold and snowy out! He took my hand and led me through the snow to the bandstand and stood me in front of the Christmas tree. He then handed me a box and got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was the most romantic thing ever!
On the Future
I cannot imagine anything I’d change about living in the Glens Falls area! It’s why we’ve chosen to stay here all these years! I have to say that seeing the city come back to life over the last few years has been so awesome. The vibrancy and diversity that we are seeing happen makes me happy to be a part of the community. I cannot wait to see what else is to come!
Thanks Lisa!
P.S. Check out more of our My Glens Falls series here.