Marissa Martin is the Executive Director of the Advocacy Institute, an organization dedicated to transforming the legislative landscape for justice and dignity. Prior to joining the Advocacy Institute, she served as the Northeast Director of Young Invincibles, leading policy and advocacy efforts around higher education, workforce development and healthcare for young adults.

Marissa has always had a passion for social justice and making larger systemic change to increase access and equity, holding several leadership positions overseeing Policy, Operations and Data teams. These positions include serving as the Senior Advisor for Strategic Initiatives at the NYC Public Engagement Unit; the Director of Policy and Government Relations at ExpandED Schools (formerly TASC), as well as the Director of Government Affairs for the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families where she led CACF’s New York State and City budget advocacy campaigns.

For over 10 years, Marissa has worked as an adoptee advocate working to strengthen the community and voice of the adoptee community. Marissa served as Assistant Director of Holt Heritage Camp and Co-Director of the Korean Identity Development Camp and serves on the board of All Together Now, a support organization for adoptive families providing supportive programming for young adoptees while facilitating conversations with adopted parents. Marissa is also the former president and current advisory board member of Also-Known-As, Inc., a volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to creating innovative educational programs and community building activities for those on their adoption life journey. 

Marissa is a Licensed Social Worker (LMSW) and holds a Masters in Social Work from Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, with concentrations in Community Organizing, Planning and Development.