Marissa Warren

Senior Manager of Corporate Partnerships, Feeding America

A proud native of Chicago’s Southside and raised in a household of servant leaders, Marissa’s commitment to community began young. Marissa recounts, “...as someone who has overcome poverty, and witnessed the transformative power of intentional investment, I see myself in the communities I serve. My passion for connecting people to vital resources fuels my deep connection to this work.”

Marissa continues to challenge the status quo within the for-profit and nonprofit sectors while exhibiting empathy and integrity. Marissa’s leadership style brokers astute collaboration, program delivery, grantmaking and strategies that transform communities. Her commitment to serving marginalized communities, specifically young people and those living beneath the poverty line, has been unyielding.

Prior to becoming a Baumhart Scholar, Marissa led and contributed to social impact strategies for a global Fortune 100 corporation, with 90,000+ employees engaged throughout the country. In that work, Marissa facilitated lasting change within government relations, community affairs, sports, lifestyle, and entertainment. Marissa cherishes the lasting impact she initiated by funding some of the most deserving and often overlooked organizations as part of her legacy.

Currently, Marissa serves on the Development team at the nation’s #1 charity, Feeding America. There, Marissa creates lasting strategies that enable corporate partners to authentically serve our neighbors facing hunger. Marissa enjoys brokering innovative solutions that measurably improve quality of life for others. Disrupting norms to create responsive, authentic, sustainable change for others has been an unspoken motto for Marissa.

Marissa holds a B.A. in Journalism from DePaul University, certifications from McKinsey & Company Black Leadership Academy’s Management Accelerator (2020), Loyola University Chicago Quinlan School of Business Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy Program (2019), and Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP) Corporate Social Responsibility Immersion Program.

Marissa’s commitment to philanthropy and equity is further demonstrated through her volunteer service as elected Vice-Chair of the John C. Haines Elementary LSC, A Better Chicago’s Impact Council, The Bloc Chicago’s Associate Board, Design Council member for the Chicago Public School proposed near south high school, and the AeroStar Avion Institute Advisory Board. Through professional and personal engagement, Marissa uses her access and influence to elevate community voices and create sustainable change for under-resourced communities.

When Marissa is not busy serving her community, she can be found spending quality time with family, exploring new restaurants, challenging herself at the gym, or singing her favorite tunes!