Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Bourgoyne.
Hi Lisa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I spent nearly three decades in the child advocacy movement, leading programmatic services at The Children’s Assessment Center, one of the largest child advocacy centers in the nation. With each passing year, my sense of calling deepened. I served in a variety of leadership roles, developing and expanding programs that reached more than 5,000 children and families annually. During that time, I helped build a comprehensive, trauma-informed model that brought forensic interviewing, medical evaluations, mental health services, advocacy, and community education together under one roof. I also had the privilege of mentoring professionals, training community partners, and serving as an expert witness in court to support children in their pursuit of justice and healing from sexual abuse.
Some of the most meaningful milestones of my career included serving on multidisciplinary teams that shaped the regional response to child abuse and exploitation; leading collaborative efforts with more than sixty partner agencies to ensure seamless, survivor-centered care; championing advancements in forensic interviewing, assessment, and victim advocacy at the nation’s largest advocacy center; creating training programs that equipped thousands of professionals in trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices; advocating for legislative changes to strengthen protections for children and survivors of abuse and trafficking; and mentoring a generation of emerging leaders in social work, counseling, and nonprofit service, a legacy that my mother took great pride in.
Today, I serve as CEO of The Landing, a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to walking alongside survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Our work is rooted in the love of Christ and centered on dignity, freedom of choice, and long-term healing. We operate three core programs: our Drop-In Center, located on the Bissonnet Track—a nationally recognized trafficking hotspot, where survivors find safety, rest, counseling, and hope; 24/7 Youth Advocacy, activated the moment a child is identified as a trafficking survivor or at high risk; and Outreach, which brings our services directly into the community—from the streets and schools to courtrooms—building trust and connecting survivors to care.
Every day, I witness transformation through service, prayer, and thanksgiving—through our clients, staff, volunteers, and donors. Real people with real pain find their way to The Landing, and hope is restored daily. Seeing the love of Christ lived out in ordinary moments is both humbling and life-giving. While the brokenness can feel heavy at times, our faith sustains us, and our hope compels us to keep going, stronger, wiser, and more committed to the work entrusted to us.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I was born and raised in El Campo, Texas, a small farming town about an hour southwest of Houston, where life was shaped by faith, family, and a strong work ethic that began before sunrise and ended with dinner around the table. I am the middle child of four in a proud Latin American family, raised by two teenage parents who worked hard to build a better future for their children. My dad began working at 14 when his father became ill, eventually building a long and prosperous career in the oil fields, never once complaining about the long, dangerous hours. My mom was a trailblazer in her own quiet way, working at the Tax Assessor’s Office and proudly becoming the first bilingual employee at the courthouse. She considered it a ministry, helping Spanish-speaking families feel seen and supported in a system that didn’t always reflect them.
Our home was lively, full of love, laughter, a little chaos, and a deep connection to one another. We were latchkey kids who leaned hard on one another. My sisters and brother were my first best friends, my first team, and, to this day, my most trusted confidants. Sundays were spent in church, where I first learned the power of grace, service, and surrender. My parents taught us the value of resilience, the importance of education, and that when we give more than we take, we leave the world a better place.
I was blessed to thrive in school and found joy in learning and in connecting with others. I was an honors student, a musician, a competitive twirler, a student leader, and a loyal friend. I loved learning, but more than that, I loved people. I was naturally drawn to the quiet kids, the underdogs, and those trying to find their way — perhaps because I recognized parts of myself in them. I saw the gaps — in education, in resources, in representation — and I knew even then that I wanted to be someone who filled them and made a difference in the lives of others.
I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Houston and went on to earn my master’s degree in counseling from Houston Baptist University with highest honors. But my real education came through the stories of children and families navigating unimaginable harm, first through my work with Communities in Schools, then at Child Protective Services, and eventually during my 20+-year career at The Children’s Assessment Center. To say that I have seen darkness is an understatement, but each moment sitting across from a child or a survivor, providing a safe space to share unfathomable life stories, brought incredible light and served as reassurance that I had answered God’s calling, and I was serving in the places He needed me most.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I serve as CEO of The Landing, a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to serving survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Our work is rooted in Christ’s love and centered on dignity, freedom of choice, and long-term healing. We operate the only Drop-In Center in Houston and we’re strategically located on the Bissonnet Track, a nationally known trafficking hot spot. We offer survivors a safe space for rest, counseling, resources, and hope.
The Landing also provides a 24/7 Youth Advocacy response that is activated the moment a child is identified as a trafficking survivor or high-risk, and we provide outreach, which takes our services into the community, from the streets to the schools, to the courtrooms, building trust and connecting survivors to care.
Estimates claim that 80,000 youth are victims of sex trafficking in Texas alone. I don’t carry that number lightly. Every day, I get to walk alongside individuals whose lives have been shattered — and watch as they begin to rebuild, one courageous step at a time.
I have received recognition for my work across the child welfare and anti-trafficking landscape, most notably in forensic services in the child advocacy movement, but the greatest reward is seeing survivors reclaim their stories as they rediscover their worth and dignity.
Any big plans?
January 2026 marks a major milestone for The Landing as we celebrate our 10th anniversary during Human Trafficking Awareness Month. We plan to kick off the month with a meaningful celebration alongside our team, founders, donors, volunteers, and clients, followed by additional gatherings throughout 2026. Both spring and fall events are planned to educate, inform, and celebrate our people, our city, and—most importantly—the resilience of the survivors we serve.
As we look ahead, growth is both a blessing and a necessity. We have outgrown our current space and are actively planning for expansion, with a special announcement anticipated in April. This expansion is critical as demand for services continues to increase.
Over the past ten years, The Landing has served more than 2,500 survivors and delivered over 100,000 life-restoring services. This year alone, we served 600 children, youth, and adults through more than 3,400 case management sessions. Additionally, 524 adult survivors found safety and connection at our Drop-In Center, countless meals were shared, and thousands of referrals were made for housing, medical care, education, and employment support.
As we step into our next decade, The Landing remains committed to being compassion in action—meeting survivors where they are and walking alongside them toward hope, healing, and restoration.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thelanding.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelanding_hou/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLandingHOU/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-landing-houston/posts/?feedView=all
Image Credits
@emilyjaschke
