As the president and co-founder of Olive Tree Publishing, Inc., the proud publisher of the Black EOE Journal, Hispanic Network Magazine, the Professional Woman’s Magazine and soon to be published U.S. Veterans Magazine, it would be an understatement to say that Mona Lisa Faris is an everyday kind of woman. Unforgettable name, creative thinker, entrepreneur, sales and marketing guru and mentor are all monikers used to describe OC Metro’s “Orange County California’s Women Making a Difference”. She is ranked in their magazine as one of its “Ten Most Influential Women”. More recently she has achieved numerous awards from many nationally recognized diversity organizations. The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) named her as a “Remarkable Woman” and a “Champion for Diversity”. Mona Lisa has often appeared as a keynote speaker, featured as a panelist and quoted in numerous publications and newspapers.

Mona Lisa’s talent as a visionary and entrepreneur is highlighted by the achievements of her company, Olive Tree Publishing, Inc. Originally from Houston, Texas and first generation Arab-American, the company was founded to help provide small business owners and minorities with employment and business opportunities. Mona Lisa’s innate understanding of diversity issues were gleaned from her years of travel; she has resided in many countries, including Puerto Rico, Spain, Iran, Venezuela and South Africa. Her father, a pioneer in diversity recruitment with a Fortune 500 company, fostered the importance of equal opportunity. Having experienced many diverse cultures and communities along with her father’s strong work ethics and his sincere appreciation for being a U.S. Citizen, fueled her passion for global diversity.

Olive Tree Publishing, Inc., whose name is symbolic of “peace,” launched its first publication the Black EOE Journal in 1991, when she was only 19 years old. Witnessing the unfair treatment and segregation in South Africa during the apartheid strengthened her passion for equal opportunity. Owing much to Mona Lisa’s dynamic leadership and sales ability, the magazine’s advertisers soon included top-ranking HBCU’s, many government entities and Fortune 500 companies.

Some best selling cover stories have featured such well-known public figures and mentors such as President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Nelson Mandela, Sonia Sotomayer, Shakira, Christina Saralegui, Soledad O’Brien, Linda Carter, Andy Garcia, Jennifer Lopez and many more.

Mona Lisa Faris resides in San Juan Capistrano, California with her husband and two young children.

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