Alissa Magrum has had a love and passion for being near, in and around the water and a commitment to making a positive difference in the world for her entire life.

She discovered her passion for water safety and drowning prevention in 2008 after her then 3 year old daughter, Ella lost a preschool classmate (Colin Holst) to a  fatal and preventable drowning in a lifeguarded pool in Austin, Texas.  The tragic loss of Colin’s life impacted Alissa as a young parent and Alissa began volunteering for Colin’s Hope, the organization founded by Colin’s parents, Jeff and Jana Holst after Colin’s drowning.  In 2010, Alissa became and served as the Executive Director of Colin’s Hope for 14 years.

Alissa is a founding member of Families United to Prevent Drowning and has supported multiple organizations including; the American Red Cross, The ZAC Foundation, The NDPA and the Austin Sunshine Camps.  Alissa has served in leadership roles for: the Texas Water Safety Coalition, Safe Kids Austin, the Central Texas Drowning Prevention Action Team and the National Drowning Prevention Advisory Board.  She is the Board President for Face In Water, Board Treasurer for Mana O Maui and a Member of the Global Water Safety and Drowning Prevention International Rotary Club.

Alissa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Ethics.  She is a Water Safety Instructor and American Red Cross certified Waterfront Lifeguard.  As a passion project, Alissa travels with Face In Water to Eleuthera, Bahamas each summer to support the One Eleuthera Foundation Learn to Swim Program by training local swim instructors and teaching children and adults to swim in and enjoy the beautiful water around them.

In July 2023, Alissa was the AOAP Competitor Aquatic Professional of the Month. In 2024, Alissa was one of the the recipient’s of the Aquatics International Power Award.

Alissa lives in Leadville, Colorado where she loves to mountain bike, trail run, hike, swim, stand up paddle, ski and enjoy the beautiful outdoors 365 days of the year.   She loves to spend time with her family and friends – including her 20 year old daughter, Ella.  Fun fact about Alissa is that she owns and runs a small soup making business called The SoupHug.

Alissa believes deeply that her North Star(s) in this very important lifesaving work are those lost or almost lost to drowning and their family members.  She would like to thank everyone who gives their time and talent to water safety and drowning prevention for all they do to save lives. It will take all of us working together to prevent drownings and entrapments.