Marisa Espinosa is the Director of Major Studies for TransLink Planning and Policy, leading major infrastructure projects in transportation and land use. Marisa previously served as the Director of Scenario Planning for the Vancouver Plan, supporting the development of the City of Vancouver's 30 year vision. Previously, she was Director, Green Operations for the City's Engineering Services Division where she created the first Engineering Division Artist in Residence program, and led innovation and sustainability for the city’s fleet and equipment, construction and engineering facility master planning functions. Marisa has a long professional history in leading strategic planning and infrastructure development in both Vancouver, BC and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Marisa is a former Board member of the Women’s Transportation Seminar, an international organization that supports the advancement of women in transportation and infrastructure. Prior to a career in the transport field, she spent seven years in the non-profit sector, leading youth development and leadership development programs focused on equity and justice. Marisa has a bachelor's degree from Stanford University and a Master’s in urban planning from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is passionate about supporting community development, equity and environmental justice. She respectfully acknowledges being a settler on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples and grew up on the traditional territories of the Chumash people. Her family originates from the Purepecha people further south on Turtle Island.