Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors provides the governance, stewardship, and strategic oversight that guide Rock the Walls Foundation. Bringing together leaders from diverse industries, disciplines, and lived experiences, the Board helps ensure that Rock the Walls remains an enduring resource while advancing our mission as far, as wide, and as powerfully as possible.
Together, we are committed to building the destination for knowledge, collaboration, and voices dedicated to helping people recognize abuse earlier, respond more effectively, and change the way society understands and addresses it.
Karen Nisenson
President
Karen Nisenson is an accomplished educator, music therapist, and nonprofit leader whose career has been dedicated to helping individuals discover their potential for personal growth, healing, and achievement through the arts.
In 2000, Karen founded Arts For Healing, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that expanded access to arts therapy services for individuals, schools, institutions, hospitals, and elder care facilities throughout Fairfield County, Connecticut. In 2021, she assumed the role of Executive Director of the Women Empowering Women Institute, where she developed therapeutic, educational, and wellness programs designed to support and empower women in need.
Karen's distinguished academic background includes a Bachelor of Science from Hunter College, a Bachelor of Art and Master of Music in Piano Performance from the Juilliard School, and a Master of Art in Music Therapy from New York University. She also served as an Adjunct Professor in New York University's Music Therapy Department.
Karen brings her expertise in music therapy, education, program development, and nonprofit leadership to Rock the Walls, helping strengthen its programs, expand community engagement, and support its long-term growth.
Lisa Pinney-Keusch
Founder & Executive Director
Lisa Pinney-Keusch is the Founder and Executive Director of Rock the Walls Foundation.
With a career spanning more than 25 years in the music, entertainment, events, and hospitality industries, Lisa has built a reputation for critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and bringing complex projects to life. She began in television, commercial, and music video production before joining Tavern on the Green, where she worked directly with owner Warner LeRoy on projects ranging from interior design and private art collections to real estate and restaurant development. She later spent more than a decade as Director of Special Events at New York City's legendary Roseland Ballroom, overseeing concerts, movie premieres, galas, fundraisers, conventions, fashion shows, and corporate events.
Those experiences, combined with her own personal journey, inspired the creation of Rock the Walls. After recognizing critical gaps in access to resources and support for individuals and families navigating domestic abuse, Lisa founded the organization to help connect survivors, advocates, experts, and communities through a more accessible and collaborative network of support.
Drawing on a lifelong connection to music, a family legacy in the arts, and decades of industry relationships, she is building the organization around the power of music to connect people, amplify voices, and inspire social change.
Lisa brings vision, leadership, and an extensive network of relationships to the organization, helping unite voices, connect resources, and expand support for survivors, children, and families.
Carly Lejnieks (Wetzel)
Secretary
Carly Lejnieks (Wetzel) is the Founder of Transforming After Abuse, an international community dedicated to supporting women and children whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence and family-related trauma. A survivor herself, Carly has transformed her personal experience into a mission of advocacy and meaningful change.
Over the course of nearly three decades, Carly has built an accomplished career in executive marketing and strategic communications. She has held senior leadership positions with organizations including iSpecimen and Thermo Fisher Scientific, where she guided digital transformation and helped organizations communicate with greater purpose. Today, as a Fractional VP of Growth Marketing, Carly partners with founders and executive teams to transform vision into execution while navigating the rapidly evolving world of AI-enabled marketing.
Known for her ability to simplify complexity, Carly sees connections that others often miss. She helps leaders clarify direction, make confident decisions, and translate strategy into measurable results. Her work has earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor to organizations navigating growth and change.
As Secretary, Carly helps strengthen the organizational foundation of Rock the Walls through thoughtful governance and strategic leadership. Her executive experience and commitment to the Foundation's mission help ensure the organization continues to grow with purpose while remaining focused on the individuals and families it was created to serve.
Karen Vissicchio
Treasurer
Karen Vissicchio is a philanthropist, strategic thinker, and trusted community leader known for her unwavering integrity, intellectual curiosity, and insightful approach to both people and ideas.
As an avid reader and writer, Karen brings innovative thinking and a remarkable ability to connect ideas and analyze complex situations with clarity and discernment. Her analytical approach allows her to identify thoughtful, practical solutions while never losing sight of the people behind them.
Throughout her adult life, Karen has devoted her time and talents to her children's schools, her church, and numerous charitable organizations. She is widely respected for her discretion, dependability, and ability to bring people together with compassion and purpose.
Karen's commitment to excellence continues today through her work at King School in Stamford, Connecticut, one of the region's premier independent schools. Working in an environment dedicated to educating and inspiring young people further reflects her longstanding commitment to children and families.
As Treasurer, Karen safeguards the financial integrity of Rock the Walls, ensuring that every dollar entrusted to the organization is managed responsibly and advances the mission it was intended to serve.
Suzanne Darmory
Brand Strategist / Growth Leader/ Communications Executive
Suzanne Darmory is a visionary Chief Marketing Officer at The AGNCY, bringing over 25 years of experience driving brand transformation, measurable growth, and client engagement for Fortune 500 companies across the U.S., the UK, and global markets.
She has led high-performing teams to deliver award-winning, omnichannel campaigns for globally recognized brands including American Express, Chase, L’Oréal, and Verizon Wireless, consistently generating multi-million-dollar ROI and meaningful market share gains. Her leadership is grounded in cultivating strong team cultures, fostering innovation, and navigating complex challenges to deliver breakthrough results.
At The AGNCY, Suzanne leads strategic brand development and integrated marketing initiatives that elevate client visibility, accelerate growth, and strengthen long-term brand equity.
Recognized with more than 100 industry honors, her work and insights have been featured in AdAge, Forbes, CNN, and The New York Times. She has been named a MARsum Top 100 Influencer, Business Leaders Magazine Top 100, and one of Refinery29’s most powerful women in digital. She regularly contributes as a judge, speaker, panelist, and portfolio reviewer.
Suzanne brings her expertise in brand strategy, marketing leadership, and business growth to Rock the Walls, helping expand awareness, strengthen partnerships, and support the organization's long-term vision.
Lisa McFadin
Humanitarian / Sustainability Executive
Lisa McFadin is an entrepreneur, humanitarian, sustainability executive, creative producer, and television writer dedicated to empowering women, strengthening communities, and creating pathways to economic independence. Throughout her career, she has led initiatives across the corporate, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial sectors focused on resilience, opportunity, and social impact.
Following the Haiti earthquake, Lisa partnered with United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Chemonics, the World Bank, government leaders, and community organizations to develop economic empowerment programs for women and families rebuilding their lives. Her work included the Plastic for Profit initiative, which created thousands of jobs through recycling, workforce training, and entrepreneurship while supporting pathways to homeownership and long-term financial stability.
Lisa has supported humanitarian and disaster-relief efforts around the world. During the refugee crisis in Greece, she worked on the front lines assisting women and children arriving by boat. Through Third Wave Volunteers, she has supported wildfire recovery efforts in Los Angeles, COVID relief initiatives serving the Navajo Nation, and disaster response for vulnerable communities. A former March of Dimes board member, nonprofit leader, and community advocate, she has also championed homelessness initiatives and co-produced Oakland's Got Talent.
Lisa brings her expertise in humanitarian relief, economic empowerment, sustainability, and community development to Rock the Walls, helping strengthen partnerships and expand opportunities for individuals and families rebuilding their lives.