As the first Caroline D. Bradley Scholar from Nevada, Marisa intimately understands the transformational power of education and how one opportunity can jumpstart a whole life of potential. That’s why her personal mission is to foster systemic change that creates a high-quality educational system for all students, no matter their zip code, family income, or learning needs.

At Bellwether, Marisa translates complex research and policy topics into actionable insights for educators, leaders, and policymakers. Her work spans K-12 through postsecondary education, covering topics such as flexible learning options, AI in education, and higher education finance. She also co-authors “The Leading Indicator: AI in Education,” a monthly newsletter that tracks the latest AI developments and provides education-centered, forward-looking analysis. Her research and writing are informed by direct experience teaching, tutoring, and mentoring students from preschool through college.

Having worked in the federal government across both Republican and Democratic administrations, Marisa is committed to bipartisan collaboration. She began her policy career at the U.S. Department of Education in 2019, where she drove inaugural efforts to evaluate the Department’s grantmaking efficiency, before joining U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen’s office to research education policy for the legislative staff. Her focus on systemic change is also evident in her nonprofit capacity-building work: As a 2021 Community Impact Fellow with Venture Leadership Collective, she supported strategic advising for nonprofits and oversaw programming for nonprofit leaders.

Marisa graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor’s degree in international relations. She currently resides in Chicago and enjoys weightlifting, training her 4-pound pup, and dancing hula with Hālau Ha’a Kea o Mokihana.