Marissa Brown

Marissa Brown has a strong background in advocacy and leadership roles. Marissa currently holds the position of Senior Vice President, State and Local Advocacy at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), where they have been working since 2017. Prior to that, they served as the Executive Director of The Democracy Initiative from 2013 to 2016. Marissa also worked as the Executive Vice President of Alliance for Justice from 2004 to 2013, overseeing various operations and leading advocacy efforts. Earlier in their career, they held the role of Vice President at the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund from 1999 to 2004, where they managed grassroots programs and staff. Marissa also has experience in international development, having worked as the Deputy Director, Middle East and North Africa at the National Democratic Institute (NDI) from 1993 to 1999. Prior to that, they worked as a teacher at ITESM and as a Program Instructor at the Close Up Foundation.

Marissa Brown obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from The Johns Hopkins University in the years 1984-1988. Subsequently, they pursued a Master's degree in Latin America and Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), from 1987-1990.