Director of Brand Activations, Tenant Partnership & Engagement at Navy Pier INC and joining the NavyPier team in May 2022, Marisa has excelled in negotiating and executing deals with experiential marketing companies, bringing diverse brand activation experiences to Navy Pier. She is also the CEO of her own company, Marisa Díaz-Arce LLC which utilizes her expertise in coordination among various entities and the efficient setup, relocation, and dismantling of events. Beyond her professional expertise, she is deeply committed to community and diversity, curating markets that spotlight local small businesses and promoting minority-owned women businesses within tenant kiosks, combining business acumen with a passion for fostering local entrepreneurship and inclusivity.
Alongside her work at Navy Pier, she has co-founded Dándole Tech NFP in 2020, where she serves as the CFO, dedicated to addressing the Digital Divide by providing essential technology resources to disadvantaged students. She has pioneered the creation of the first-ever computer lab in the Chicago Park District, offering free programming and educational opportunities to the local community. Previously, as Co-Jefa of Lolita Productions LLC from 2018 to 2022, she curated cultural events that highlighted local businesses, operated Lolita’s Bodega, created mentorship programs for local small business owners, and taught small business planning workshops. Additionally, as the Director of Logistics & Operations at the Daniel Ramos Puerto Rican Festival from 2019 to 2021, she worked closely with the Chicago Park District and Chicago Police District, designed festival layouts, and curated the festival's education area and community workshops.
Her dedication to education and community extends to her prior role as a teacher at Chicago Public Schools for 10 years, where she taught a range of subjects, including high school math, middle school ELA, and an Entrepreneurship & App Development courses. She was recognized with a grant from the nonprofit Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship and instructed students in creating startup tech business plans and developing original apps. She also played a pivotal role in redesigning the computer science curriculum for 5th - 8th graders, integrating technology into various subjects to engage learners effectively.
Her career journey embodies a passionate commitment to education, community engagement, and fostering diverse entrepreneurship.
