Marissa Escajeda

Marissa joined SWSG in 2019 as a Volunteer and Donor Engagement Manager. She quickly was promoted to Director of Development after helping the organization secure vital revenue through difficult pandemic years. As of June 2023, Marissa leads the Pittsburgh office as the Managing Director. Before coming to Strong Women, Strong Girls, Marissa received her Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Public and Nonprofit Management from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, where she was the sole recipient of the merit-based Alumni Scholarship. Prior to her second masters, Marissa worked as a Victim Response Advocate for Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR). At PAAR, her largest role was to cultivate and build relationships with systems to develop a coordinated response for survivors of sexual assault. Her professional, academic, and personal interests have led her to a field that values equity through human services. She has worked in local government and spent two years working with Allegheny County’s council men and women on issues facing our region. Marissa also has experience in philanthropy and spent time working on community engagement projects for the Forbes Funds. She is passionate about engaging with the Pittsburgh community, working on collaborations, and building relationships.

Before working as an advocate for PAAR, Marissa received her Master of Ethics, Peace and Global Affairs with a concentration in Gender and Human Rights from American University in Washington, D.C. There she worked with Vital Voices Global Partnership developing programs for the African Businesswomen’s Network. Marissa graduated from Duquesne University with her Bachelors Degree in Theology. When she is not working, Marissa enjoys spending time with her husband and children.