Focus & Flow, Inc was started in 2014 by Lisa Nelson to provide strategy and consulting services to business with a mission.  She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and a Master of Science in Community & Regional Development from University of California – Davis.

Lisa discovered her passion for community development while in graduate school.  In 2003, she co-founded Alchemist CDC, an organization that continues to provide connections between Sacramento area residents in under-resourced areas with higher qualities of life.

Lisa also has an extensive background in finance, accounting and operations - ranging from large publicly-traded and private corporations to small businesses and nonprofits. She served as CFO of Mutual Housing of California, following an early career path in corporate finance in San Francisco, CA and Ann Arbor, MI.

In 2021, Lisa relocated herself and her company to Traverse City, Michigan and continues to devote herself to business strategy and consulting for affordable housing, startups, emerging industries and nonprofits.

Ruthie Love began her career in the trades, with a strong dedication to flawless accuracy in her work.  She proudly worked as one of the last craftspeople trained in traditional, handcrafted Optical techniques. She volunteered with nonprofit organizations such as Will Grant Vision, which focuses on providing vision care for those experiencing poverty, as well as Visionary Stream, which encourages artistic outlets as avenues to self-esteem building in underserved neighborhoods.

Her focus shifted in 2022, when she discovered a deep personal drive to help shape the future of affordable housing.  She brings more than two decades of attention to detail, project management and executive leadership to her position at Focus & Flow. 

In her off time, Ruthie enjoys tinkering, reading, making art and drinking tea with a cat on her lap.