Some people are born to celebrate. Lisa Cade Pierce, a Hattiesburg native and natural-born event coordinator, has made a career of catering to unforgettable moments, from birthday fetes and retirement parties to fairytale weddings. For Lisa, celebrating milestone moments means bringing intentionality, creativity, and utmost care to every single event. “In my family, celebrations were everything,” Pierce said. “We always had people over, were always putting out a spread and making people feel special.”

A graduate of Hattiesburg High and the University of Southern Mississippi, Lisa has always had a heart for the Pine Belt and the people in it. When Lisa’s family decided to build Southern Oaks in 2000, she left her event coordination job with the American Heart Association to help craft the Southern Oaks legacy. “Over the years, I’ve seen generations of people celebrate their sweetest moments right here at Southern Oaks,” Lisa said. “Whether we’ve hosted a large, elegant wedding at our venue or an intimate sixtieth birthday party at a hostess’s home, I’ve seen moments turn into memories. All it takes is attention to detail and a true desire to cater to somebody’s personality and needs.”

When a client considers Southern Oaks, Lisa hopes they understand the lengths to which her team will go to ensure their celebration is unforgettable. “We’re all about details here,” Lisa said, “Obstacles don’t faze us. Specific requests excite us. We’re here for you—before, during, and even after your event.”