Meet Dr. Lisa Kelp

By Lab-Aids Consultant

3 min read

Nov 13, 2026

Meet Dr. Lisa Kelp: Chief Academic Officer & EVP at Lab-Aids

Meet Dr. Lisa Kelp, Lab-Aids' Chief Academic Officer and Executive Vice President, whose career in education has always been centered on giving teachers the tools and support they need to make a lasting impact on their students. With 13 years of experience teaching middle and high school science, Lisa understands firsthand what happens in the classroom and how the right curriculum can make a difference in the way students learn.

Lisa holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Teaching from Xavier University and a Doctor of Education in Superintendency and Leadership from the University of Findlay. While her educational background provided a strong foundation, it was her years in the classroom that truly shaped her approach to education and ultimately led her to a career with Lab-Aids.

From the Classroom to Lab-Aids

Lisa's connection to Lab-Aids began in 1999 when she introduced the original SEPUP program, Issues, Evidence, and You, into her Cincinnati science classroom. She quickly saw the impact of its hands-on, inquiry-based approach, noticing increased student engagement, more meaningful classroom discussions, and a greater enthusiasm for learning. As her experience with the program grew, she helped bring the full science curriculum alignment to her school, where the programs continue to be taught today.

Throughout her teaching career, Lisa worked in classrooms in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Northville, Michigan, teaching the Issues and Science program across multiple science disciplines. She also served as a science department chair, where she helped other educators implement the curriculum and bring hands-on learning experiences to their students.

Lisa's passion for the curriculum extended beyond her own classroom. In 1999, she led her first teacher training at Cincinnati State College, and in 2001, she became a certified Lab-Aids trainer. From there, she began working with educators across the country, leading professional learning sessions and presenting at state and national conferences. She especially enjoyed sharing her own classroom experiences and helping other teachers see the impact the curriculum could have on their students.

In 2011, Lisa made the transition from the classroom to a full-time role with Lab-Aids. Over the past 15 years, she has taken on several leadership positions, including overseeing the Professional Learning and Product Management teams. Today, she serves as Lab-Aids' Chief Academic Officer and Executive Vice President (EVP), where she brings her firsthand teaching experience and leadership background together to help guide the company's academic vision.

Leading Professional Learning and Curriculum Development at Lab-Aids

Today, Lisa oversees several key areas at Lab-Aids, providing executive leadership for Professional Learning, Product Management, and Product Development. One of her responsibilities is leading a national cohort of more than 50 teacher trainers who provide professional learning and support for educators using Lab-Aids' science and math programs.

She also plays an important role in shaping and maintaining the company's entire curriculum portfolio. From program updates and new curriculum development to teacher resources, ancillaries, and digital platforms, Lisa works closely with teams across the company to ensure Lab-Aids' programs continue to meet the needs of today's educators and students. She also helps coordinate annual project and product roadmaps, keeping teams aligned and projects moving forward.

In addition to her work with internal teams, Lisa manages strategic relationships with the developers and authors behind Lab-Aids' programs, including partners at Michigan State University, UC Berkeley, EDC Oceans of Data, and MIT. These partnerships are an important part of developing and maintaining the high-quality science and math resources educators rely on.

Having spent years in the classroom using Lab-Aids programs herself, Lisa understands how much of a difference the right curriculum and resources can make for teachers. She knows that when educators have reliable materials, thoughtful lesson plans, and the support they need, they can spend less time worrying about preparation and more time focusing on their students.

That classroom perspective continues to guide her work today. Whether she's supporting teacher trainers, collaborating with curriculum developers, or helping guide the development of new resources, Lisa is committed to making sure Lab-Aid’s programs provide meaningful learning experiences for both teachers and students.

Get to Know Lisa Outside of Lab-Aids

Outside of work, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband, their two teenage daughters, Annie and Gracie, and their family dog, Ellie! With both girls involved in a variety of sports, including volleyball, basketball, softball, and tennis, there's always something happening on the family calendar. Lisa loves being there to cheer them on and support them in the activities they enjoy.

When she has some downtime, Lisa can usually be found with a good book. She enjoys reading both fiction and nonfiction and loves spending time getting lost in a good story. A die-hard Cincinnati Bengals fan, Lisa stays loyal no matter how often they test her. When it’s basketball season, you’ll find her and her family cheering on Michigan State together.

From first using Issues and Science in her own classroom to now helping guide the academic direction of Lab-Aids, Lisa's career has come full circle. Her firsthand experience as an educator continues to shape her work and her commitment to developing meaningful curriculum and professional learning opportunities. Through her leadership, Lisa helps ensure teachers have the resources, support, and tools they need to create engaging learning experiences for their students.