I’m Lisa Neff. I write news, features, blogs, and opinions for print and digital publications.

My background is in journalism and I love a challenging news assignment.

I’m currently an editor and environmental columnist at The Islander newspaper on Anna Maria Island in Florida. 

My career began with reporting work at daily newspapers in New Hampshire and Illinois, including Foster’s Daily Democrat and the Rock Island Argus.

After running away for a year to come out and call keno at the M&M Saloon in Butte, Montana, I went back to work in journalism as a regional editor at the St. Louis News-Telegraph, a newspaper serving the area’s LGBT community.

When I moved to Chicago, I went to work at Windy City Times, a pioneering LGBTQ paper, as a reporter and editor.

Then I became the founding managing editor of Chicago Free Press, also an LGBTQ-focused paper, and held that position until moving to Florida to become a metro editor for The Herald, a daily paper in Bradenton.

Later, I joined the team at The Islander and, at the same time, worked long-distance as the managing editor for the Wisconsin Gazette, an award-winning alternative printed out of Milwaukee.

I’ve received civic journalism awards for stories that influenced reform in public housing, minority relations at city hall and community policing.

I also have received awards from the New England Press Association, the Small Newspaper Group, the Northern Illinois Press Association, the Peter J. Lisagor/Society of Professional Journalists, the Florida Press Association, the Milwaukee Press Club and the Association of Alternative News Media.

I earned my degree at Roosevelt University in Chicago.

In addition to my journalism work, I’m experienced in social media management and creating strong, original content for blogs and websites.

I am a native of Waukegan, Illinois.

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