Lisa was born in Rochester, Minnesota where she graduated from Mayo High School. She moved to Ames in 1984. In 1989, Lisa earned her teaching certificate in elementary education at Iowa State University.
Lisa has two adult children, Makenzie and Paul Heddens. She is married to John Mageli.
Lisa served seventeen years in the Iowa Statehouse where she served on a variety of committees. She also served as the Ranking Member of the Health and Human Services Budget. She is most notably known for her work on mental health and disability issues and her ability to work across party lines to sponsor to passage legislation that provides increased services, greater access and increased opportunities for people with disabilities.
Lisa’s work and dedication in the disability field spans two decades. Her work experience includes: an advocate at Iowa Protection and Advocacy (now known as Disability Rights Iowa), Access for Special Kids-focusing on special education rules and regulations and as an advocate at the Brain Injury Association. Lisa also was the Service Coordinator for Lutheran Services in Iowa’s People Place’s Family Resource Center, which focused on early childhood, and; most recently, the executive director for NAMI Central Iowa.
Lisa’s years of volunteer service have included serving on the Board of Directors for Friendship Ark, Inc., Westory Fire Department, Mental Health & Disabilities Commission, Special Olympics Iowa, Senior Living Coordinating Unit and the Iowa State Rehabilitation Council.
In 2014 Lisa took part in the Ames Citizen Police Academy which educates participants to increase their understanding of the police department operations, procedures, and training.
As a Supervisor, Lisa represents Story County on the following boards: Aging Resources of Central Iowa, Ames Mini-Assessors, Board of Health, BooSt for Children, Central Iowa Community Services (CICS), Central Iowa Juvenile Detention, Central Iowa Recovery and Story County Decatorization.
In her free time, Lisa enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and friends, listening to music and cooking.
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