About Lisa Sulka

I had the honor of serving Bluffton, South Carolina, for 20 years—starting with four years on Town Council and continuing for 16 as Mayor.

Blessed to begin my civic life when Bluffton was a one-square-mile town with 750 residents, but we knew it was poised for growth. Over time, we became one of the largest annexed municipalities in South Carolina, with over 50,000 residents within the expanded town limits and 75,000 in the greater Bluffton area.

From the start, I encountered residents who didn’t fully understand why we were planning for growth and expanding our town’s vision. As Bluffton grew, so did the number of residents who felt similarly and sometimes voiced their frustrations online and at council meetings. I also saw firsthand the conflicts that can arise between councils and staff, which sometimes led to divides among council members.

I’m proud to have led major developments that helped shape our town, from creating a master plan for our original square mile to developing Buckwalter Commerce Park and Palmetto Bluff.

I also made it a priority to keep our meetings efficient and focused, aiming for agendas that could be covered in 2-3 hours. This approach helped us work together productively, even when there were differences of opinion.

Today, I share these insights and strategies with governments of all sizes, offering guidance and hands-on support to help them stay on track and run effective, cohesive meetings.