Marissa has a degree in Business Management with a concentration in Marketing from SJSU and has accumulated over 11 years of experience in client-facing businesses since then. She has worked in a variety of industries, including sales and event management. Her people skills are deeply ingrained, and she thrives on building and fostering relationships. Marissa has handled client meetings at both ends of the spectrum, from running global events for companies such as VISA (Super Bowl 50 and Olympics Rio de Janeiro), Avaya, and the MLS Earthquakes Team, to organizing small, intimate meetings with high-profile clients. Her diverse experience has taught her the ability to actively listen to clients' needs, challenges, and requests, allowing her to tailor a unique experience while navigating their goals.

In her personal life, Marissa was born in the Bay Area and is now fully immersed in Orange County. She is a mother to a baby boy and the wife of a City of Irvine Community Services Leader, which helps to strengthen her bond with the community. Giving back through fundraisers or other opportunities is a top priority for her family. Marissa is an enthusiastic runner, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and enjoys hiking, working out, cycling, reading, practicing Japanese, and spending time with her family and friends. Traveling, especially to new places, is a huge passion of hers, whether it's a solo trip or with loved ones. She hopes to fulfill her dream of checking off the final uncharted continent, Antarctica, with a penguin glacier expedition someday.