Peter Lisiecki was born in Detroit to parents Waclaw and Irena, two Polish World War 11 refugees. During the war, his father served as a Captain in the Polish Air Force under the R.A.F. Peter grew up amongst the Polish community of Detroit, attending Polish language classes and participating in Polish Scouting (Z.H.P.-Związek Harcerstwa Polskiego) throughout his school years.
Following high school, Piotr visited Poland for the first time after obtaining a Kosciuszko Foundation scholarship and participating in the Jagiellonian University’s Summer Program. While attending Wayne State University, he was active in the Polish Club. After earning a B.S. in Education, he worked for the Polish American Congress as an Outreach Worker to Polish seniors.
His desire to serve God and others led him to Micronesia in the West Pacific, where he taught science at a native Catholic high school on Saipan for two years. He then spent three years with Catholic Social Services, using outdoor adventure therapy to rehabilitate youth. Known there as “the Polish guy,” he maintained cultural traditions, including Wigilia. Upon returning to the U.S., he earned a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Michigan and worked for five years in Hamtramck with middle and high school students.
In addition to his Christian faith, Piotr has always had a passion for youth development, nurturing leadership, confidence, integrity, and faith. The outdoors has shaped his own life and served as a core tool in his work with scouts and youth.
Piotr has worked with Detroit teens for over 34 years. His three main focus areas have been: 1) preparing youth for life after graduation, 2) developing leaders, and 3) deepening their Christian faith.
Scouting has been a family tradition and central to Peter’s life. In 1920, his father led scouts into battle during the Battle of Warsaw (Cud Nad Wisla). After high school, Peter became a troop leader in Harcerstwo and has served in various roles for over 45 years. He currently mentors and trains young adult leaders in Detroit’s Z.H.P. ln-addition to Polish Scouting, he established and ran Scout Troops both on Saipan and in Detroit.
Piotr is proud of his daughter and grandchildren. He feels blessed that the torch of Polish heritage and Catholic faith has passed from him to his daughter Kasia, and now to his grandchildren Aniela and Oliver through her and her husband Paweł.
Source: Booklet “Top 25 Polish American Leaders in 2025 Awards Banquet”.
