Marisa Jones is a public policy professional dedicated to creating more just, healthy places where people of all backgrounds can thrive.  As the Policy and Partnerships Director at Safe Routes Partnership, Marisa Jones collaborates with national organizations, coalitions, partners, and advocates on policy issues that advance Safe Routes to School and improve walkable, bikeable access to parks, grocery stores, and other important community destinations. In partnership with Safe Routes to School programs across the country and combined with academic research and research conducted by Safe Routes Partnership, Marisa provides policy strategy and guidance to state and local Safe Routes to School programs. She leads the Safe Routes Partnership’s legislative strategy on Capitol Hill and with federal agencies. Marisa also leads the organization’s Safe Routes to Parks and active transportation funding program areas.

Prior to joining the Safe Routes Partnership, Marisa worked at the Institute for Public Health Innovation, where she led the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Cities and Towns Campaign for the Mid-Atlantic, supporting local governments to adopt policies that improve healthy food access and opportunities for physical activity. Before that, Marisa worked at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine conducting research on racial disparities in breast cancer prediction models and interned at The White House during the Obama Administration, where she specialized in a portfolio of casework related to immigration, housing, personal finance, and education.

Marisa completed a Bachelor of Arts in Community Health and Political Science at Tufts University and a Master of Science in Social Policy at the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on the relationship between geography and health. At Penn, Marisa co-founded the Hispanic/Latino Alliance for Change and Equity (HACE) and was awarded the Wilson-Spigner Award for Social Policy Excellence. Marisa is bilingual in Spanish and English.