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Lisa Valendza received a B.A. in Graphic design and Illustration from The University of Akron and an M.A. in Public Relations from Kent State School of Media and Journalism. Her professional background began in publishing, working on the first health and wellness magazine for Summa Health System. With a career in consumer products, she worked for over a decade in American Greetings. Roles included; designer, senior planner, art director, freelancer, and talent recruiter. She developed hundreds of products launched and licensed merchandise for online and in-store placement in domestic and international markets.

She has been instructing at Kent State University since 2009. The School of Fashion classes includes Fashion Branding, Professional Seminar, Product Development, Fashion Visuals, and Fashion Show Productions. She enjoys forging new territory and is one of the University's hybrid instructors working in a cross-disciplinary role with the School of Media and Journalism. She instructs Fashion Publishing, a writing class that looks beyond the runway by exploring the evolution of fashion media. 

In 2015, she collaborated with faculty members across the nation, each contributing a chapter to the book; Flamingos: Behavior, Biology, and Relationship with Humans. Her chapter was titled; Flamingos and Other Tropical Themes in Clothing and Accessories.

Her connection to student's success is personal. She spearheaded a new type of fashion show, partnering with retailers and using a diverse range of models titled, “Tis the Season for All." Read more about the show  She mentored students and won two product development contests. In 2016, with Coastal Pet Products Millennial Customer Challenge, and in 2017, The Fashion School Store Athleisure Challenge. Passion to support continues beyond the classroom as Alumni Committee Chair, organizing events that support the vast School of Fashion family across the country.