As Vice President of Culture and Impact, Marisa oversees the International Community Foundation’s growing portfolio of grants, agency funds, and special projects in Mexico and Latin America. Prior to this role she served as ICF’s Senior Program Officer for Environmental conservation, leading the Foundation’s Environment portfolio, which emphasizes marine and terrestrial conservation in Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and coastal communities of the Gulf of California, as well as the Eastern Tropical Pacific region. She came to ICF in January 2015, after 8 years at The San Diego Foundation where she oversaw the Opening the Outdoors Initiative. As the Director of this program, she worked with donors, volunteers and nonprofits in the San Diego region to advance regional conservation efforts that ensure that all communities have access to clean air, water, and nature, and to promote collaborative action on climate change.

In 2010, Marisa was selected one of San Diego News Network’s, “35 Under 35 Community Leaders.” Marisa is a graduate of the 2012 HOPE Leadership Institute, and co-founded The Latina Giving Circle – a regional group of woman engaged in culturally relevant philanthropy. She is certified by the International Association of Public Participation, and currently serves on the national board of the Center for Diversity and the Environment, as well as the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission’s Citizens Forum. In April 2016 she completed 4 years of service on the California Structural Pest Control Board and previously served as a member of the Port of San Diego’s Tidelands Activation Committee for 2 years.

Marisa holds Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology and Sociology from Mills College.

She is a Certified Massage Therapist and Doula, with over fifteen years of experience in bodywork. In August 2015 she became a mama and enjoys exploring Baja California with her family.