Lisa Riley

TCC 50 Notable Alumni

50th Anniversary Notable Alumni Feature Lisa Riley: Born and raised in the Tulsa area, Lisa said her time at Tulsa Community College helped her transition from high school to college academically. “It also taught me diversity and responsibility in a healthy atmosphere. The instructors were nurturing, yet pushing me to limits I needed, to prove to myself I was destined for more. They were encouraging, open and out-of-the-box thinkers. They helped me see beyond TCC and what my future might hold.”

Graduating from TCC in 1996 with Interpreting (American Sign Language) and Liberal Arts degrees, Lisa went on to earn a bachelor’s degree and then began her career working with the QuikTrip Corporation. Her husband and career led her to Houston. However, after her mother died Lisa decided to move back to Tulsa in 2011 and she purchased her first Pinot’s Palette franchise. Demonstrating perseverance, Lisa battled breast cancer in 2015 as she continued to expand her franchise locations. She now owns several locations in the Tulsa metro area.

In 2015, Lisa was recognized for her leadership as a small business owner/entrepreneur and was presented the Women in Business Champion award by the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce, as well as the International Franchisee of the Year and Small Business of the Year awards by the city of Broken Arrow. She also was named the 2016 Business Person of the Year by the City of Broken Arrow and in the same year was recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as Women in Small Business Champion of The Year. In October 2019, Lisa was named Small Business Person of the Year by the Tulsa Regional Chamber.

Lisa is an active member of the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce Small Business Connection, where she serves on the Advisory Board. She regularly supports community organizations such as The Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless and she serves as a board member for Joy in the Cause nonprofit.