Marissa started her career as a firmware and software engineer, where she learned words like “FORTRAN” and “Real-Time.” Later she moved to software testing, then found her stride in the Program/Product Management discipline, where she uses terms like “user experience” and “product strategy.” She’s played key leadership roles in developing software across diverse industries such as DoD, public utilities, desktop software (think “Microsoft,”) the early days of the internet and online advertising (yep, MSN), contract furniture, the travel industry, the auto industry, and the pharmaceutical supply chain. More recently, she has worked with small businesses and startups to help owners identify and solve business and technology pain points. She has spoken nationally and internationally on issues at the intersection of technology and diversity. She is an alumna volunteer for the MIT Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program (UPOP) as a Mentor-Instructor and for the MIT Office of Minority Education as a member of the Industrial Advisory Council for Minority Education.