Lisa Peña
Henry W. Bloch School of Management Alumna
Master of Public Administration, 2011
Lisa Peña (MPA ‘11) was drawn to UMKC for its strong MPA program. “I had heard the MPA program was really good,” she said, “but what finally sealed my decision was getting a Peace Corps Fellowship which covered the cost of my tuition.”
During Lisa’s time at Bloch, she noted that Dr. Renz had a lasting impact. “He taught us to question and think about things deeper than face value. All of his classes were always so relatable to real life. He has worked with so many different organizations and used lessons from those to teach his classes.”
After graduating, Peña moved to the Dominican Republic and began her career there. “After being there for about six months, I got a job that required a master’s degree, as a project manager for youth development projects implemented in the Dominican Republic, but funded by different US entities.” Later, she spent five years as Manager of the Hispanic Initiative at Girl Scouts of NE Kansas before deciding to start her own business in 2019—Urban Hikes Kansas City. “My team and I take groups of people on 3–5-mile urban hikes to explore the history, art and hidden gems of both Kansas Cities.”
Today, Peña serves as CEO of Urban Hikes Kansas City. “Every day is different for me and I love it! I’m a people person and I get to be out in the community a lot. On a typical day, you may find me at a networking meeting, possibly having coffee with a community partner, exploring a new urban hike route on foot or leading a group of 10 people all around the city on an urban hike. I’m not always out and about though. Sometime in that day or night, I need to fit in about three to four hours of admin work. If I don’t, I get behind.”
Her proudest professional achievement? “I am most proud of starting a business that I can actually earn enough money to live off, while doing something so valuable and meaningful and at the same time being recognized in the community by word of mouth, publications and local recognitions like the Kansas City Urban Hero Award in 2023.”
She’s also passionate about community work. “I’m part of the Riverfront Heritage Trail board and I’m passionate about that because our urban hike for pedestrians and cyclists are so important. It’s a little known 15-mile urban trail peppered with artwork that goes from KCK to KCMO.”
Her advice to current Bloch students and recent graduates: “Get out and network and build collaborations with others so that both you and the other person benefit. My business has grown because of the many collaborations that I have throughout the city. Also, pro-tip—a community service project where you’re actually serving and working with others is one of the BEST networking opportunities because you’re actually networking with people who take action!”
Outside of work, Peña enjoys backpacking, running, biking, and fermenting her own kombucha, sauerkraut, and making sourdough bread.
To read more about Urban Hikes Kansas City or to schedule a hike, go to Kansas City walking tours | Hiking | Things to do in KC.
By: Courtney Mead, MPA, Director, Alumni Relations & Annual Giving
UMKC Alumni Relations
