Anisa Tootla is a nonprofit executive with extensive experience in organizational growth, modernizing membership organizations for operational excellence, and building strong teams for success.  Anisa has spent much of her career at the intersection of social impact and member value.

Most recently, Anisa served as the Chief Operating Officer of the League of Women Voters (LWV).  LWV is a non-partisan membership organization committed to the informed and active participation of individuals in government, increasing the understanding of major public policy issues, and influencing public policy through education and advocacy.  As COO, Anisa directed strategic planning, finance, human resources, compliance, risk management, information technology, member services, and administrative functions of both the League of Women Voters of the United States and its affiliate, The League of Women Voters Education Fund.  Anisa also served as interim CEO in 2018, working closely with the boards of directors in advancing the organization’s modernization initiatives and providing stability and support to staff through change.

Before joining the League in 2014, Anisa spent twelve years at AARP Foundation in a variety of roles.  As Vice President of Programs, she led the creation and development of AARP’s work on hunger and its signature ‘Drive to End Hunger’ cause marketing campaign, aimed at solving the issue of senior hunger in America. Prior to her VP role, Anisa served as Senior Director of Strategy and Operations, where she worked with the President of AARP Foundation in the strategic repositioning of the organization. This included identification, development and implementation of the organization’s new vision, mission, and social impact areas.

Anisa currently serves as a director, Treasurer, and finance/audit committee chair of the board of Kakenya’s Dream.  Kakenya’s Dream is a non-profit dedicated to providing life-changing education to empower girls, end harmful traditional practices, and transform rural communities in Kenya.  Anisa’s global view and deep appreciation of other cultures and points of view has influenced her professional journey.  Her outlook is shaped by her birthplace and roots in South Africa, as a young exchange student through Youth for Understanding in Japan, extensive travel, and notably her experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nigeria focused on health information systems.  Anisa is a graduate of DePaul and Johns Hopkins Universities and holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and a Masters in Business Administration.