Lisa Depaoli
Lisa (Coffield) DePaoli joined the staff as Outreach Coordinator in December 2018. In 2020, she took the position of Communications Manager. She grew up in rural Washington County and has always loved animals and spending time outdoors. Her deep interest in human beings and ecology led her to earn a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh. She has worked on research projects and taught at the university level in the U.S. and in field schools in Latin America. The knowledge and experience she gained fostered an interest in environmental and social justice issues. Thus, she has decided to work on issues of humans and ecology at the local level in order to research and address important matters in southwestern Pennsylvania. Lisa loves to talk to people about issues that concern them. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, furkids and friends, and taking long walks in the woods with her dogs.
She can be reached at lisa@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org
Posts by Lisa Depaoli
In December 2025, the Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust’s Board of Trustees raised serious concerns about how Washington County has been using its opioid settlement funding. Eight applications submitted by the County were deemed non-compliant with funding requirements, while another nine remained under consideration. Alongside these determinations, the Board offered pointed critiques of […]
On November 20, Washington County Commissioners voted to send a letter of intent to Pennsylvania’s Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs requesting that the “Single County Authority” (SCA) status of Washington County Drug & Alcohol Commission (WDAC) be stripped. The status of Single County Authority would then be given to Washington County’s Department of Human […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 29, 2025 Media Contact: Arielle Cohen, 516-983-5440 arielle@acohen.llcLisa DePaoli, 412-229-7116 lisa@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org Residents, Health Experts, and Advocates Demand Governor Shapiro Acknowledge Harm from Failed “Radical Transparency” Project Community and environmental groups reveal withheld water data from “Radical Transparency” partnership HARRISBURG, PA Today, community members, health experts, and environmental advocates held a press conference at the Pennsylvania State […]
The evening of October 4th, Center for Coalfield Justice had the privilege of hosting our 11th annual Fall Fundraiser. The night was a coming together for friends, supporters new and old, and shared hope for the future of Washington and Greene counties. The lights were aglow but more importantly, so were the people who make […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 16, 2025 Media Contact: Lisa DePaoli, lisa@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org, 412-229-7116 New Freeport residents appeal preliminary injunction denial, continue legal fight for clean water U.S. District Court decision based on plaintiffs’ “lack of irreparable harm” reveals massive inequities, leaves residents without a solution Washington, PA – Nearly a year after its filing, the U.S. […]
Join us Saturday, October 4th from 5:00-9:00pm at the Stone Pavilion in Washington Park for our annual Fall Fundraiser celebration! This year, we are reflecting on “Carving out Hope” in difficult seasons by looking to our work and community to find those little spaces full of light we are all yearning for these days. 🎟️Reserve […]
OVERVIEW The development of OxyContin, along with the massive proliferation of opioid usage that followed, remains today one of the greatest struggles in many areas of the United States. People suffer, families are fractured, and communities remain injured by the onslaught of addiction. When folks hear the term “opioid crisis,” nearly everyone can picture either […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2025Media Contact: Lisa DePaoli, lisa@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org, 412-229-7116 Five gas well operators in Southwestern Pennsylvania cited for waste violations Washington, PA—Last week, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) cited five gas well operators for conventional well plugging waste violations. The citations reveal a disturbing pattern: some companies failed to report what […]
This year’s 19th annual DRYerson festival was a little extra special. This year, we commemorated the 20th anniversary of the draining of the beloved Duke Lake at Ryerson Station State Park due to damage from mining operations. With the gift of beautiful weather, the Center for Coalfield Justice staff, Friends of Ryerson, PA Department of […]
On Sunday, May 25th, Center for Coalfield Justice and Buffalo Creek Watershed Association were thrilled to have our most memorable Kids Fishing Day yet! We blew away our previous attendance records by handing out more than 215 free fishing poles to children in our community to enjoy around the shores of Dutch Fork Lake! 🎣That […]