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Marisa Summers joined NASAA in 2020 as assistant to the president and board administrator. She is responsible for the day-to-day management of all activities of the president’s office; this includes managing office operations, member support, special initiatives and external affairs functions. As board administrator, she serves as the president’s liaison to the board of directors and committees. Marisa’s dedicated member support roles include facilitation of NASAA’s affinity group and mentorship program for people of color at state arts agencies.
Prior to joining NASAA, Marisa worked for Conservation International, the Girl Scouts Council of the Nation’s Capital and the Freedom Forum Newseum. During her combined 12-year tenure at Conservation International, she managed the board of directors as well as the office of the chairman and CEO. While at the Newseum, Marisa authored and designed the first interactive activity guide for the museums Freedom Park, A Walk with Freedom. She has served on the board of Young D.C. and in addition to her director role, she was the treasurer and chair of the annual fundraiser. Originally from Hampton, Virginia, Marisa holds a B.F.A. in interior design from the School of the Arts, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, and an M.A. in museum education from the University of the Arts, Philadelphia. Marisa became a lover of the arts after holding her first Crayola crayon at the age of three, and her favorite color in the box is sky blue.