The NYS Women, Inc. Buffalo Niagara Chapter (BNC) is proud to showcase successful local women who have given back to the Western New York community. “Women In Leadership” honorees are established women business owners or professional/working women who have exhibited leadership, enterprise, and excellence in their business or profession and give back to the Western New York or greater community. The goal of the program is to recognize women who have succeeded both in the business and charitable arenas and help inspire others to follow in their path.

Throughout the year a woman business owner or working woman will be featured. Each June, BNC will recognize all our honorees at an annual event.

Criteria

Established woman business owner or working/professional woman who:

• Exhibits leadership, enterprise, and excellence in their business;
• Gives back to Western New York or greater community with volunteer service 

Women In Leadership Application

March 2025 Honoree

Lisa Freeman
Executive Director, Compass House

Lisa Freeman is the executive director of Compass House, an emergency shelter and resource center for runaway and homeless youth in Western New York established in 1972. Although she has been executive director since 2011, this year marks Freeman’s 37th year of service at the agency, having previously serving as Compass House’s assistant executive director.

She has an extensive background in non-profit management and oversees a diverse team of case managers, youth counselors, and administrators responsible for serving a combined 500 youth who come to Compass House for services each year.

In addition to her role with Compass House, Freeman is an active member of the NYS Runaway and Homeless Youth Advisory Committee, The Coalition for Homeless Youth, and the Homeless Alliance of WNY.

The mission of Compass House is to provide homeless and runaway youth with safe shelter and services, through a voluntary and mutually agreed‐upon process, in an environment which supports dignity, respect and self‐reliance. Founded in 1972 as a homeless shelter, Compass House now has 19 employees and operates a resource center and a rapid re-housing program. They serve approximately 300 youth at the shelter annually and an additional 300 youth at its resource center.

The emergency shelter meets the basic needs of runaway and homeless youth ages 12-17 through immediate access to crisis counseling, meals and a temporary place to stay. The resource center provides non-residential support to youth ages 14-24 years old that are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Services include case management, instruction on independent living skills, personal care supplies, food, cooking and laundry facilities and individual, group and family counseling.