Marissa M.

As a Coordinator at New Frontiers, Marissa partners with students, parents, and adults to strengthen executive functioning skills, build independence, and develop personalized strategies for success. She focuses on helping clients improve time management, organization, and self-advocacy while also encouraging them to recognize and build upon their strengths. With her supportive and collaborative style, Marissa empowers individuals to create practical plans of action that translate into meaningful growth and long-term progress. 

Marissa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, as well as a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Criminology and Social Deviance. She also completed a post-graduate certificate in Management Training, which has equipped her with advanced leadership, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills. This strong academic foundation supports her ability to guide clients through challenges with both structure and adaptability. 

Her professional background is equally diverse and brings a unique perspective to her coaching. Marissa has held roles as a certified mediator, committee board member, service coordinator, special investigator for incident reviews, employment coach, and advocate. In these positions, she gained extensive experience working with individuals across a wide range of needs, helping them navigate personal, academic, and professional challenges with confidence. She has also consulted with school systems on policy and procedure development and facilitated mediation services for adults, offering clarity and resolution in times of difficulty. 

At New Frontiers, Marissa brings this breadth of experience into her coaching, creating individualized strategies that are both realistic and empowering. She is particularly skilled at helping clients improve task initiation, sustain focus, manage competing priorities, and balance responsibilities across different areas of life. She believes strongly in a strengths-based approach, encouraging clients to recognize what they already do well while building new skills that support independence and growth. 

Outside of her work, Marissa enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, and watching movies. She values connection and balance, and her personal interests reflect her belief in lifelong learning and self-care. Her approachable and encouraging nature makes her easy to connect with, while her dedication ensures that clients always feel supported in their journey. 

At New Frontiers, Marissa supports clients in developing executive functioning skills such as organization, time management, planning and prioritization, and follow-through. She also helps individuals strengthen self-advocacy, communication, and motivation, while finding strategies to manage stress and balance multiple responsibilities. With her blend of professional expertise, leadership experience, and collaborative coaching style, Marissa equips clients with the tools they need to reach their goals with confidence.