Marisa Kirk-Epstein

Marisa oversees the teams working on research, policy, and our benefits access program work (Summer EBT, SNAP). These teams are responsible for making sure that our programmatic work is grounded in research, evidence, and best practices.

Prior to joining Share Our Strength in 2015, Marisa worked for over five years in the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Child Nutrition Division developing policy and managing pilot programs to improve access to federal meal programs for children.

Marisa has a Master of Social Work from Columbia University and a bachelor degree in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Washington.

What's your "why"? I have always enjoyed working with and being around children—they bring so much joy and wonder to life, and deserve to live happy lives. Any child suffering from poverty and hunger is one too many, and I believe passionately in doing whatever I can to make that a reality.

My idea of fun is: Anything outdoors (hiking, swimming), traveling, reading, playing piano