Beyond the Bureaucracy: Meet Marissa
Meet Marissa
I began my federal career in the Peace Corps as a Community Health and Malaria Prevention volunteer, where I developed a passion for public health and working alongside communities to address health disparities.
Prior to that, I worked as a research assistant at the Institute of Human Virology, where I was first introduced to the impact of HIV, particularly how it was disproportionately affecting African American communities. That experience deeply shaped my desire to pursue a career in public health and fueled my commitment to making a difference in communities like my own.
This passion ultimately led me to seek opportunities within the federal government, where I knew I could contribute to large-scale, systems-level change and help advance health equity.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR TIME IN GOVERNMENT. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART?
Throughout my time in government, I’ve had the opportunity to serve in various roles that have allowed me to center community voices, advance health equity, and address public health disparities. From starting my federal career in the Peace Corps as a Community Health and Malaria Prevention volunteer to later working in HIV/AIDS policy within the Department of Health and Human Services, each experience has strengthened my passion for service.
My favorite part of working in government has been the ability to collaborate with dedicated colleagues and community partners across the country who share a commitment to improving the lives of others.
I’ve especially enjoyed being able to elevate the voices and experiences of communities most impacted by health inequities and help translate those stories into meaningful policies and programs that create lasting change.
WHAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
Throughout my time in government, I’m proud to have led and contributed to several initiatives focused on advancing health equity and centering community voices. One of my proudest accomplishments has been serving as the co-lead of the Black Women’s Initiative within the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy. In this role, I helped develop a unified federal approach to addressing the unique needs of Black women related to HIV prevention, care, and treatment. A highlight of this work was hosting a historic White House event that brought together Black women from across the country to share their experiences, expertise, and solutions for change.
Additionally, as the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Coordinator, I had the incredible privilege of meeting and working alongside hundreds of passionate individuals and organizations across the U.S. and globally who are dedicated to centering HIV care, prevention, and treatment in their communities. Those connections and collaborations have been some of the most rewarding aspects of my federal career — reminding me that at the heart of public health is people and the power of partnership to drive real change
IF YOU’RE COMFORTABLE, SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT HOW YOU WERE SEPARATED FROM YOUR POSITION?
My entire division was unfortunately completely displaced during the recent reduction in force (RIF) that took place on April 1st 2025.
What are your ideal next steps??
My ideal next step is to work in the intersection of project planning, energy efficiency, grid security, and community engagement. One of my strongest skills is scientific and technical communication, especially to diverse audiences. This is especially important in project siting for solar, industrial decarbonization, and data centers. I am interested in roles involving project management and/or community engagement for private energy companies, utilities, or the public sector (local, regional, state).
How we can support:
A note from the Arielle Lewis Studios Team:
We laughed and cried with Marissa during her session with us. Her passion for public health and supporting our communities is palpable, and we can’t wait to see what incredible changes she can inspire with whatever organization is lucky enough to hire her!
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