Today, we’re chatting with Lisa Olsson, a local Memorial mom who raised her family in Hunters Creek Village. Lisa and her husband Scott have been part of the neighborhood for 21 years, raising their three children, Savannah (24), Spencer (21), and Sage (19), all of whom attended Hunters Creek Elementary. Savannah is getting a masters in finance at Georgetown University and is enjoying living in the nations capital and getting know DC. Spencer is a Junior at the University of Texas majoring in economics. The youngest, Sage, is a musician attending Belmont University in Nashville studying both music and psychology.
Originally from New York, Lisa met Scott during his residency, and their journey has taken them from New Orleans, where Scott completed his fellowship in Cardiothoracic surgery, to Georgia, and finally back to Houston, which Lisa now proudly identifies as her home.
Lisa’s career path has been as diverse as her travels. Starting with undergraduate studies at Hofstra University and then grad school at Columbia University, she eventually pursued her passion for cooking at the French Culinary Institute. Her culinary skills led her to work as a chef for Emeril Lagasse at NOLA in New Orleans, an experience that earned her the nickname “Coco,” short for the “Coco Chanel of cooking,” a name she still goes by today.
Despite her busy schedule, Lisa has always been deeply involved in her children’s sports, music, and academics. She is part of a two time Tully Bowl Champion Family having coached SBMSA football for four years.
Now, with her children pursuing their own paths, Lisa has found new ways to give back to the community. She is actively involved in Christy’s Knots for Cancer, a charity she co-founded to support families fighting glioblastoma, in memory of her best friend.
When she’s not busy with her charity work or running her business, CocoNola, Lisa enjoys playing Mahjong and participating in cook-offs with her team, Wild Game Crew, who won Best in Brisket in Waco in 2023. She loves exploring new restaurants and vacation spots, with Seaside holding a special place in her heart for its cherished memories.
In her downtime, Lisa unwinds with podcasts like True Detective and true crime docuseries along with lighter shows like Emily in Paris and Ted Lasso. She also relies heavily on apps like Amazon, Hotels.com, and Instagram to navigate her busy life.
