WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING...

"Eloquent and engaging, Marissa Feinberg is one of the best guest lecturers I've ever invited to the Innovation and Technology Forum, a required course at NYU Tandon School of Engineering. Taking command of an auditorium of nearly 400 students, Marissa immediately grabbed everyone's attention with a series of fascinating insights on the value of understanding "why" we're doing what we're doing. Not only does this sort of deep analysis lead to better product design, but it also helped students figure out what they want out of their education in the long run. Marissa's polished presentation mixed with her witty improvising with students on stage left us with crucial lessons we won't soon forget."

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- David Lefer, Industry Professor at New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering, Director of the Innovation & Technology Forum, Author of They Made America, a bestseller made into a PBS series featured on the History Channel,  The Founding ConservativesHow a Group of Unsung Heroes Saved the American Revolution

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:

“How to Articulate Your Why & Stay Connected in Times of Crisis,” for Social Venture Circle, April 16

NEXT Economy LIVE: How to Articulate Your Why and Stay Connected in Times of Crisis

Social Venture Circle hosts this interactive webinar led by Marissa Feinberg (Triple Bottom Why) on how to articulate your why and stay connected in times of crisis.

It's a time of crisis — many of us rethink our purpose at this time, and we often struggle to stay connected. Whether we are staying busy at work or fearing what's next, we often start to question Why we do what we do. However, if we can articulate our Why, we can stay motivated and continue to be inspired. I recently shared this method with NYU startAD's accelerator to support entrepreneur pitches, NYU Tandon School of Engineering for product-market fit, and WE NYC for brands connecting to different audiences. During this webinar, I will walk you through my Triple Bottom Why philosophy, which aligns our Whys with our organizations and audiences—identifying Why also highlights values, supporting the triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit. You will leave this webinar with processes and tools to articulate your Why, which you can then integrate across your storytelling, whether you are strengthening your brand story, crafting your personal narrative, or pitching different audiences. This methodology also includes an empathy practice, offering ways to share your story and listen to audiences in a time where mindfulness matters most.

Marissa Feinberg’s Why is to inspire and connect people so that they and their communities grow and thrive. As Founder of Triple Bottom Why, Marissa offers strategy and execution for marketing, brand storytelling, communications, and digital services. Marissa raises the profile of her clients, developing the platform for them to achieve their goals, whether they are raising awareness or capital. Read more at triplebottomwhy.com.

In partnership with Triple Bottom Why, the American Sustainable Business Council, Opportunity Collaboration, and SOCAP.

Learn more about SVC Live events and RSVP here.

LECTURER, PR FOR STARTUPS + SOCIAL INNOVATORS, CENTRE FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION, April 12

PR for Startups and Social Innovators

Marissa Feinberg was thrilled to support social entrepreneurs at the Centre for Social Innovation, teaching her course "PR for Startups & Social Innovators." When we believe in something or someone, we become their best champion because we are inspired to share their narrative. When we unlock the right message, our ability to create even more champions is endless.

For entrepreneurs, social innovators, and startup team members of various levels, this class is for you. Whether you want to strengthen your storytelling, or learn how to leverage PR to meet your goals, join this crash course.

PANELIST, Behind the Scenes of Overseas “Fake News” Factories, MODEL UN NEWS, THURSDAY, FEB. 22

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Panel discussion with professional journalists and publicists on the role of “fake news” today, plus a behind-the-scenes look at a “fake news” factory in Macedonia. What drives clickbait? — insight into the business model for news outlets, and other perspectives on what shapes the news we see today. Convened by Ari Zoldan, Chairman of Quantum Media Group, and moderated by Francesca Forestieri, Executive Director of Montessori Model UN, panelists included:

  • Peter Shankman, Founder, ShankMinds Business Masterminds

  • Minter Dial, President/Founder, The Myndset Company

  • Marissa Feinberg, Founder, Triple Bottom Why

  • Jeongwoon Eun, Founder, Tigerwon™

  • Hannah Dreyfus, Staff Writer, Jewish Week Media Group

GUEST SPEAKER, Innovation & Technology Forum,
NYU TANDON SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING,
Monday, Nov. 13

Marissa Feinberg is honored to be a guest speaker for first-year engineering students, taught by David G. Lefer, Director of the Innovation and Technology Forum, Industry Professor. Join us at the Pfizer Auditorium in 5 MetroTech Center. This event is open to the Triple Bottom Why community — there is no cost to attend and no RSVP necessary.

ABOUT THE FORUM - The goal of this course is to teach students how to create great ideas. In the process they will learn the fundamentals of invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship (i2e), the School of Engineering’s core tenets. Students study elements of design thinking, principles of inventive problem solving such as TRIZ, and the Lean Startup methodology to create new technology. Throughout the semester, students will collaborate in teams to find and solve an important problem, which they will present as their final project.

ABOUT THE TALK - The "Triple Bottom Why" philosophy brings a founder's Why into alignment with their organization and audience. Identifying Why also highlights values, supporting the triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit. Marissa will share the Triple Bottom Why methodology as a way to use lean storytelling methods for entrepreneurship.

Speaker, NETWORK FOR TEACHING ENTREPRENEURSHIP'S "STARTUP SUMMER" at NYU Steinhart - Monday, July 17

Startup Summer is a small business incubator that provides recent NFTE graduates with the resources and support to launch fully functional businesses. Startup Summer connects students to leaders from global organizations, fellow entrepreneurs, and industry experts to develop their skill sets in research, critical thinking, and communications.  Students are also matched with Business Mentors and Entrepreneurial Advisors for the duration of the program. Click HERE for more information.

Final Round Judge - NYU $300K Entrepreneurs Challenge - May 5th

I am proud to serve as a final-round judge for the $300K Entrepreneurs Challenge at the NYU Stern School of Business is one of the largest and most innovative accelerator programs in the world. This year, more than 500 students, alumni and faculty members from 17 schools and divisions across NYU’s global campuses entered to compete for a combined $300,000 in cash and startup services. Over the past seven months, these teams have engaged in intensive bootcamps and hands-on workshops, completed dozens of hours of one-on- one coaching, and undergone three rounds of judging – all in the hopes of transforming their ideas into reality.

On May 5th, the final 13 teams will pitch off to see which ventures win the grand prizes. RSVP: http://bit.ly/nyu300k

"Finding Your Why: Storytelling for Startups + Social Innovators" - May 4

Lean/Launchpad, Leslie eLab, 16 Washington Place

Presented by Bridge: Students for Social Innovation

When we believe in something or someone, we become their best champion because we are inspired to share their narrative. When we unlock the right message, our ability to create even more champions is endless. Building on the work of Simon Sinek, Marissa Feinberg's "Triple Bottom Why" philosophy brings our Why into alignment with our organization and audience. Identifying Why also highlights values, supporting the triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit. Marissa will walk us through a process to identify our three Whys. Whether you are building a brand story or working on your personal narrative, this workshop will support your inspiring storytelling!

As Chief Storyteller of Triple Bottom Why Consulting, Marissa Feinberg is a publicist, marketer, and brand builder with a passion for championing new ideas and connecting people. Marissa's "triple bottom why" philosophy brings her client's Why into alignment with his or her organization and audience, also highlighting values, supporting the triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit. Prior, Marissa co-founded Green Spaces NY, acquired by MissionHUB, becoming Impact Hub NYC.

Guest Speaker, NYU Ignite Program April 25, 2017

Individuals representing five teams from five NYU schools were accepted into the Ignite Fellowship cohort. This is an invite-only program for startups founded by current NYU students, researchers, and faculty across all disciplines, that have committed to a venture concept, formed a team, and begun developing their business.

Each Tuesday from 12:00-1:30PM, the Ignite fellows engages in a peer-to-peer lunch & learn discussion about their business model, progress they have made and challenges they continue to face building their venture. A guest speaker joins the group each week to discuss applied lean skills and how to execute commercialization strategies effectively.

I'll be joining April 25 to engage with students and support them with unique approaches to storytelling. Learn more about this program.

Guest Speaker, Business Owners Roundtable (BRT), March 15, 2017

I'm excited to be a guest speaker at Business Owners Roundtable (BRT), a bi-monthly breakfast for business owners to discuss common challenges, experiences and solutions. The event will take place at Romano Law PLLC, a modern, New York City based law practice focused on business, media, sports and entertainment law.

PANELIST, Sustainatopia,"Leveraging Innovative Storytelling to Scale Your Business Growth & Social Impact"

Founded in 2009, SUSTAINATOPIA remains one of the leading events in the world for social, financial and environmental sustainability & impact. Attendees have participated from more than 60 countries. Consisting of both a mega-conference and a broad-ranging Festival, SUSTAINATOPIA brings together the global ecosystem of social, financial and environmental sustainability & impact.


HOST/ MC, Business, Design & Technology Conference 2016 

On Thursday, October 13th, 2016, from 4pm-9pm, the 4th Annual Business, Design & Technology Conference 2016 by SMPLCT Lab takes place at the Centre for Social Innovation New York City. Attendees will get the unprecedented opportunity to explore the intersection between business, design, technology, with social impact by bringing together leading experts from the public, non-profit, and for-profit sectors.  BDT is designed to present strategies and techniques on how to measure an organization's social impact.

BDT 2016 will include speakers like  Andrew Horn, Co-Founder & CEO of Tribute, Gesche Haas, Founder of Dreamers & Doers, Becky Straw, Co-Founder & Chief Adventurist of The Adventure Project, Elizabeth Galbut, Founding Partner of SoGal Ventures, Brian Patterson, Co-Founder of Go Digital FIsh, David Lipkin, Principal & Founder of METHOD, Millie Maidens, Designer & Product Developer of ADAY, Allie Mahler, Founder & Lead Program Designer of Community x Design, Sona Shah, Co-Founder & CEO of Neopenda, Bernhard Mehl, Co-Founder & CEO of KISI are some of the speakers that will join a panel with several themes, from "Empowering Women Through Entrepreneurship", to “Designing a Better Tomorrow”, to “Solving Real World Problems with Innovation & Technology.


JUDGE, NETWORK FOR TEACHING ENTREPRENEURSHIP'S "Start Up Summer Investment Panel" - 10/18 in NYC

The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) mission is to provide programs that inspire young people from low-income communities to stay in school, to recognize business opportunities and to plan for successful futures. NFTE has worked with more than 700,000 young people from low-income communities in programs across the U.S. and around the world. Tickets and info here.


SPEAKER, WORKSPACE ASSOCIATION NY, "COWORKING ROCKS," world trade center - Watch the panel here

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Click to Watch the Panel

Shared workspace has been thriving for 50 years - congratulations to Workspace Association of New York on leading this movement. The Workspace Association of New York (WANY) is an industry trade organization comprised of unified, cooperating, independent office and serviced workspace providers based in the Tri-State New York area, representing over 2 million square feet of professionally managed workspaces. WANY is the only organization in the serviced workspace Industry worldwide requiring compliance to meet Certification standards.

I was honored to be part of the "Coworking Rocks" panel June 17, 2016, alongside Bill Jacobson, Co-Founder and CEO of Workbar; Ray Lindenberg, President of WANY, and Jamie Russo, Executive Director of the Global Workspace Association. Watch the panel here.


Program of the Social Venture Network (SVN), May 13-15, 2016, for social entrepreneurs and innovative business-builders and nonprofit leaders, the dreamers and doers, the thinkers, the visionary world-changers, creators and catalysts. SVI Hudson Valley is no ordinary experience: a weekend of profound problem solving, visioning and connecting, all in the inspired setting of one of the world's premier educational retreat centers

Think of it as an ad hoc advisory board. With depth.

Founded by Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield Farm in the mid-90s, Social Venture Institutes (SVIs) provide values-driven entrepreneurs and innovative nonprofit leaders a forum to share challenges and get expert advice in a safe, trusting environment. This is our Hudson Valley version.

Harness collective intelligence in an inspired setting to actually work through creative solutions to vexing challenges.

Marissa keynoted True Confessions, a signature Social Venture Institute feature. During True Confessions, leading entrepreneurs share their trials, tribulations and triumphs in creating socially responsible organizations.


FINAL-ROUND JUDGE, Social venture category, NYU STERN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS $200K ENTREPRENEUR'S CHALLENGE

One of the largest and most rigorous venture competitions in the world, the $200K Entrepreneurs Challenge provides members of the NYU community an opportunity to discover what it really takes to launch a startup. In addition to the opportunity to receive startup cash, participants get training assistance and individualized coaching from experienced entrepreneurs, investors & executives. Marissa served as a final-round judge in the social venture category on Friday, May 6, 2016, co-selecting the winner Elements Digital Health. Believing in better health for all, Elements Digital Health is committed to creating intelligent health solutions that strengthen the patient-practitioner relationship through combining the best of science and technology. 


In Partnership with NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development at the NYU School of Professional Studies, April, 2016, FindSpark is a community dedicated to setting up young professionals for career success and connecting employers to diverse millennial talent. Join professionals for a full day of discussions, workshops, networking, and fun — all aimed to set you up for career success, whether you are a new or experienced professional. 

Marissa moderated the panel, "#Girlboss: Empowering Female Leadership," with panelists Natalie Archibald, The Wall Street Journal; Carolina Matias, FCB New York; and Dina Millan, Superfly.


Speaker, Mentor Capital Network's 12th Annual Gathering at the United Nations

In collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships, July, 2015, Marissa participated in the panel, "Supporting Entrepreneurs with More than Money," with discussion among representatives of incubators, accelerators, and entrepreneur support organizations about the best ways to provide (non-financial) support to social entrepreneurs. 


Hosted by IVY, in June, 2015, an innovative community of inspiring entrepreneurs, policy influencers, creatives, and academics, the night included a compelling social impact discussion with a panel of IVY members. Panelists shared their insights on disruptive innovations in social impact and reflect on their journeys in social enterprise, with great audience participation. IVY Panelists included:

  • Jessica Matthews, Co-founder and CEO of Uncharted Play

  • Keith Allman, Board Member for Relief International, and a former Senior Investment Manager at Bamboo Finance

  • Angela Campbell, Founder of Agora Fund

  • Marissa Feinberg, Co-founder of Impact Hub NYC


Keynote Speaker, Woman Up; Lean In NYU, NYU Leslie eLab, Women of entrepreneurship

In May 2015, Leslie eLab hosted an event called Woman Up, co-produced by the NYU Entrepreneurial Institute, the College of Arts and Sciences Entrepreneurs Association (CASEA), NYC Lean In at NYU, and Women of Entrepreneurship (WoE). The goal was to gather experienced women innovators for a discussion on startup culture and the best practices for aspiring female entrepreneurs.

Marissa shared her career insights as she lead an interactive keynote. With over a decade of entrepreneurial experience, she’s observed that women succeed when they focus on how they can be the best versions of themselves in the midst of men who do the same. She suggests that young women ignore the current designated traits for successful women leaders: being “assertive, outspoken and direct.”Click here to learn more about the event and panel that followed.


Panelist, NYU Stern Social Enterprise Association, "Back to School Night" About the Sharing Economy + Social Entrepreneurship

April 29, 2015, I was thrilled to join this panel with sharing economy expert, and friend, Arun Sundararajan. Arun asked me to talk about coworking and the sharing economy. As coworking valuations had not skyrocketed to the likes of Uber and AirBnB at the time, coworking has often been left out of the sharing economy conversation. However, with the sharing of workspace and services, and rising valuations of companies like WeWork, coworking is increasingly relevant to the conversation. I pointed out that while most traditionally known sharing economy companies are B2C, coworking is B2B. Coworking also has environmental values at its core, conserving resources. Click here to see the presentation.


Speaker, NYU Leslie eLab & NYU Wagner, PANEL, WORKSPACES + PUBLIC SERVICE

Bridge at Wagner and Wagner's Office of Career Services presented a lively panel discussion on how sharing culture is disrupting typical models of philanthropic work. In April 2015, Marissa participated in the panel, "How has sharing culture changed the way we do public service? How can co-working spaces and incubators be leveraged to support public service organizations?" Participants learned how sharing culture can be leveraged for social change, the challenges social entrepreneurs (and entrepreneurs in general) face in a shared space environment, and what resources can help new startups be successful. 

Panelists included:

  • Adam Cragg (Moderator), Programs Manager at the NYU Entrepreneurial Institute

  • Eli Malinsky, Executive Director at Centre for Social Innovation, NYC

  • Marissa Feinberg, Co-Founder at Impact Hub NYC

  • Jason Saltzman, Founder and CEO at AlleyNYC

  • Pasha Gol, Senior Project Manager at the New York City Economic Development Corporation


Host + Moderator,
NYCEDC’s Tech Talent Draft

In partnership with the NYC Economic Development Corporation, in April, 2015, this panel asked, "What's it like to work for a startup with a double bottom line? What even is a double bottom line?" For people interested in working for social good while working in NYC Tech, this discussion is for you. If you missed the Google Hangout, you can now watch online and hear speakers from NYC startups talk about what drew them to mission-driven work and why it could be a path worth considering for your next job. Marissa moderated the panel with featured companies: Zady, ScriptEd, Coalition for Queens, Upraised, and Callida Energy.


INCLUDED INNOVATOR, Gotham Magazine's Spring 2015 "The List"

Marissa Feinberg named as a notable "innovator changing the name of the game," related to climate change in Gotham Magazine's Earth Day issue. 


NYU Incubator / University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland

Organized by Alex Goldberg, Canary Ventures, in April, 2015, business school students from Switzerland visited to learn about the NYC “tech ecosystem.” I presented about Impact Hub NYC with our member Radicle Farm Company, offering elegant alternatives to perishable produce, and NYU startup HireCanvas, mobile student relationship management system for campus recruiters and their teams. The business-school students deliberated about strengths & weaknesses of each company, challenged to think, "If you were a VC, would you invest in one or both?"

I also served as a speaker for this group in April 2014 with Alex, alongside Impact Hub company Tespack, the most efficient and lightest mobile energy solutions in the world, and NYU incubator member Coursehorse, allowing people to discover and compare the best classes and courses in NYC, LA, and Chicago.


SPEAKER, Inspiration, Purpose, Impact: Creating Your Vision -  A Womensphere Thanksgiving & Holiday Celebration

Dec. 8, 2014, an inspiring conversation and cocktail reception, with wine, cheese, music and poetry, and be in great company, celebrating the leaders and members of the Womensphere Global Network and community. Distinguished leaders will share thoughts and reflections on creating vision, crafting strategy, and implementing actionable plans, towards inspiration, purpose, and impact in the New Year.


SPEAKER, NYU Reynolds R.E.A.L. Workshop Series

New York University Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation Program in Social Entrepreneurship and NYU Reynolds R.E.A.L. Workshop Series: Realistic Entrepreneurial Actionable Learning, September, 2014

Marissa's workshop, "Do It Yourself PR for Startups & Social Enterprises", offered: 

  • PR BASICS: What is PR? // Why PR? // Who can do PR? // What will the media write about?

  • MARKET VALUE OF PR: Who should do PR? // How will PR help my business? // Who is my target media? // How do I approach the media? // Media Training 101 // Where social media fits in

  • SOPHISTICATED TECHNIQUES: How to create news when your product remains the same // How to think like a journalist // PR tactics, from the RELEASE to targeted outreach // Media follow up // Media & relationships // Improving PR skills

  • WHERE PR MEETS INNOVATION & SOCIAL ENTERPRISE: How to leverage PR and be an industry game changer

Click here to learn more about R.E.A.L. workshops and series speakers.


Lecturer, Columbia Business School SIPA, Net Impact 

Columbia Business School SIPA Net Impact Chapter, November 2014

Lecture, "Why Entrepreneurship is Like Love"

Marissa offered a lecture at Columbia Business School SIPA Net Impact Chapter, based on her Forbes article, Why Entrepreneurship is Like Love.


Hosted by Raising the Bar, November, 2014

New York represents endless possibilities for young entrepreneurs, which is mirrored in its unusually high self-employment rate of 9.5%. For a long time New York has set the standard for several of America’s top businesses, therefor it presents itself as a prime location for networking and innovations. However, expensive rent, limiting taxation, and the infamous rat race have forced entrepreneurs to instead choose the midwest and the west coast. Are we singing along to a broken record, or is New York really the place where dreams are made of? “Empire State of Mind” New York City and Entrepreneurship Opportunity :: Is New York really the place where dreams are made of? panelists included: 

  • Marissa Feinberg; Co-Founder & Head of Market Development, Impact Hub NYC

  • Vincent M. Ponzo; Director of the Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center, Columbia Business School

  • David Manela; Chief Revenue Officer and Head of the NY Office, Fiverr

  • Matt Vella; Assistant Managing Tech Editor, Time Inc.


Guest Speaker, Etsy Employee Workshop

In partnership with Shift Group/BEST Coaches, October, 2014

Etsy is a marketplace where people around the world connect to buy and sell unique goods. Our mission is to re-imagine commerce in ways that build a more fulfilling and lasting world. They are proud to be a certified B Corporation — a new kind of company that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.

The Shift Group is an Online Education Company, helping entrepreneurs worldwide start and grow their businesses sustainably. Facilitated by Stefan Doering, Marissa served as a guest speaker about rebranding, pivoting, and recreating your product.


Social Venture Institute, a Program of the Social Venture Network (SVN), May, 2014

Case Study :: The core of the SVI model, where the greatest learning happens...

In the Case Study session, an entrepreneur presents a specific, strategic business challenge. A panel of "experts" (we're all experts) and retreat participants alike offer advice based on their experience and expertise. Each Case Study gets an hour of focused problem solving.

It's a powerful way for the entire group to work collectively and gain a wealth of practical ideas to deal with the challenges of running a social enterprise.


Hosted by the NYU Stern Center for Real Estate Finance Research, April, 2014

The symposium was designed to facilitate interaction and communication between Stern students, faculty, and alumni, as well as the leading figures of the real estate industry. Coworking is a new trend in real estate where individual professionals and small start-up companies share office space, shared administrative services and in some instances plant and equipment. During the coworking panel, hosted by a Stern Consulting Corps Project team, we looked at the strategies being employed by participants in the coworking movement and the impact the movement is having on entrepreneurial activity in the US. Panelists included:

  • Tony Bacigalupo, Mayor, New Work City

  • Evan Malone, Managing Member, The Yard

  • Marissa Feinberg, Co-Founder, GreenSpaces

  • Jason Juliano, Founder, So Techie Space

  • Molly Rubenstein, Interim Executive Director, Artisan Asylum

  • Jason Saltzman, CEO and Co-founder, Alley NYC

  • James Wahba, Co-founder, Projective Space


Speaker, Make Impact NYC

Good Business New York in Cooperation with the Center for Humanistic Management at Fordham University, January, 2014. MakeImpactNYC was a groundbreaking new conference bringing together the New York City entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers building the social impact economy. We explored how NYC nonprofits, businesses & startups harness the power of social enterprise. Entrepreneurs, educators, and social impactmakers from all five boroughs came together at Fordham University’s B School to celebrate what makes New York great: innovation, community, ambition — and a commitment to make the whole city we call home a better place for everyone one in it. If you can make impact here, you can make impact anywhere.

PANEL Incubating Change - Accelerating Social Entrepreneurship in NYC
How are collaborative co-working communities amplifying social impact? Moderated by Shane Snipes, Founder & Managing Partner, ThatMatters. Panelists included:

  • Marissa Feinberg - Green Spaces NY

  • DB Lampman & Scott Van Campen - Staten Island MakerSpace

  • Christine Janssen-Selvadurai, PhD - Fordham Foundry (Bronx)

  • Eli Malinsky - The Centre for Social Innovation

  • Franklin Mora - Queens Economic Development Council | The Kitchen


Speaker, InfluencerCon

In November, 2013, Marissa participated in the panel, "Culture, Value & Context — The Power of Community." InfluencerCon posed the following premise:

We are both more connected and more fragmented than ever before. Our increasing access to information can both heighten our awareness of issues far beyond our reach while at the same time could allow us to narrow our focus more than ever. More than ever there is a sense that in order to address big social issues the power of a group must be harnessed. In short, creating a community. What is it that makes community potent? How do we instill a sense of shared values and purpose to tackle large scale issues? How do we contextualize our community to coalition with others? 


JUDGE, SEMIFINALS, NYU STERN SOCIAL VENTURE COMPETITION

Since 2013, Marissa has participated as a judge of the NYU Stern Annual Social Venture Competition at the NYU Stern School of Business. The semi-finalists pitching have discovered insights, designed concepts, and visually communicated an end-user experience using creative methods and research heuristics to imagine a market—and technology—appropriate offering with the potential to disrupt its category. We salute our semi-finalists for their initiative, creativity, and passion—the essential ingredients for business success in this new millennium. 


Speaker, New York Entrepreneur Week

In partnership with Triangle Entrepreneur Week, October, 2013, Marissa joined the panel, "Events as a Critical Marketing Tool." New York Entrepreneur Week brought together entrepreneurial communities to provide resources, knowledge and connections for businesses to succeed. Throughout one week, local leaders, investors, supporters and entrepreneurs shared their knowledge, resources, and connections during our sessions and events. Michael Gold served as moderator and panelists included:


Speaker, NYSERDA & CUNY
Go Green New York Conference

Social Enterprises, Inc., September, 2013

PANEL “Innovators, Entrepreneurs Discuss the Next Iteration of Responsible Business”

What's next on the frontiers of social impact + business innovation? We are proud to feature three business leaders who either survived the sustainability boom or who launched on its tailings. Join this discussion to see what is in store for responsible business and how entrepreneurs are redefining technology, communications, business models and collaboration to grow successful ventures.


As Founder and President of EcoMedia, acquired by CBS, Paul Polizzotto has successfully harnessed the power of media to better our world with the world's most recognized brands and nonprofits nationwide. Together, we will gather to hear Paul's story, ask questions, and engage in dialogue about what makes the best business models for a better planet. 

Marissa Feinberg, interviewed Paul in front of a live audience. Paul will share tactics that apply to all businesses and people. As a successful serial social entrepreneur and innovator, Paul knows a thing or two about how to ensure your business model will be sustainable.


Speaker, The New Fluid Workforce: What Organizations and Individuals Need to Know

Hosted by iStartup.cc and Green Spaces NY, July, 2013

Now more than ever, this new independent workforce needs to know how to be effective members of a team and be effective team leaders. And it is critical for effective internal team leaders need to know how to engage independent talent.

This new fluid workforce, when engaged with a client/customer/part-time employer, will be part of a team. This team will have a specific set of goals and objectives to meet, on a deadline. People with varied skill sets, backgrounds, cultures and personalities will be united. We will no longer have the luxury (or the curse) of knowing and working with someone for over 10+ years and being placed on a project team with them. We will need to work effectively regardless of issues and personalities, and sometimes we may never meet each team member face-to-face.


Workshop Leader, Investor's Circle Conference

Hosted by Investor's Circle Spring Venture Fair & Forum, May, 2013,  "PR for Early Stage Entrepreneurs"

Everyone has a story, but not everyone shares it with the media, or does so in a way that produces results. Doing PR for a startup at any stage is an art and science. This workshop will teach you appropriate step-by-step processes for outreach. Using case-study Carpooling.com, Marissa will show you how to leverage PR to build momentum and raise funds.


Guest Speaker, Product Design, Parsons the NEW School for Design

Hosted by Professor Raz Godelnik, April, 2013

Class topic, "What do I need to know and do in order to develop a successful new product or service?" with Raz Godelnik, Assistant Professor + Co-Director of the MS in Strategic Design & Management program at The NEW School.


Judge, Creative Sparks, DIY Days :: Learn. Do. Share.

DIY Days :: Learn. Do. Share. by Reboot Stories at the NEW School, May, 2013

A roving gathering for those who create. Diy Days is about the accessibility of ideas, resources and networking that can enable creators to fund, create, distribute and sustain.


Speaker, Want to Be on TV? How to Get Noticed by Media

March, 2013

You’ve heard the fairy tales. Get a plug by Oprah or The Today Show, and your business skyrockets. But how do companies really get media coverage? Learn from Colleen DeBaise (Entrepreneur.com), Marissa Feinberg (Green Spaces NY), Rod Kurtz (OPEN Forum) and others.


Speaker, Social Media Week

Social Media Week, February, 2013 - PANEL “Purpose: Driving the New Economy” 

Financial crises, climate crises, and the growing iniquity of our market-dominated society have prompted a range of startups to ask what a New Economy might look like — and to start building it today.

James Slezak (Purpose Partner and New Economy Practice Founder) joins Aparna Mukherjee (Social Media Editor for a major consulting firm, formerly of The New York Times, Bloomberg), Marissa Feinberg (Green Spaces NYC Co-Founder) and Erica Berger (Storyful, formerly of The Economist) for a panel discussion and debate on what trends and movements are best poised to disrupt unsustainable and unjust economic models.

How can online strategies accelerate the movement towards sharing, co-production, renewable energy, and greater democratic influence on the economy? What’s working and what’s not? What role can big established organizations play, and where are the spaces for new social enterprises? Engage with our panel of experts on these questions and many more.


The Startup Leadership Program (SLP) is a highly selective, global, world-class training program and lifelong global network for outstanding founders, leaders, and innovators who want to become startup CEOs. The program began in Boston in 2006 with seven Fellows (participants) and has grown to 26 cities in 12 countries.  SLP Fellows have founded more than 1,000 successful startups including ixigo, Innoz, Momelan, Runkeeper, SideTour, Shareaholic, Ubersense, Savored, Voicetap, and many others, which have collectively raised more than $450 in funding. Many have been acquired. It is a measure of the caliber of the people in the program. 

In February, 2013, Marissa participated in the panel, "Public Relations," for Startup Leadership New York, with Selena Shen, Glover Park, and Bonnie Halper, Startuponestop.com.


Alexia Vernon's Moxie Camp, June, 2012, was designed for women who work in social enterprise or the nonprofit sector, or want to start or scale a socially conscious business. 

Fusing a distinct blend of interactive sessions, transformational activities, masterful coaches, special guest speakers, and red hot panels, Moxie Camp was about creating a space for you to get up on your feet, practice sharing your vision and voice, build relationships, and get comfortable in your power so that you can make big time social impact through your career or business. 


Panelist, Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) Conference

In May, 2012, Marissa served as a panelist for “Not Your Parents’ Sharing: The Emergence of Collaborative Consumption Business Model”. The decline of consumerism is one of the great under-reported stories in recent memory, but the rise of collaborative consumption businesses and new economic models based on sharing, as an alternative to business as-usual, has been one of the hottest topics of the year. With incredible creativity, collaborative consumption businesses are revolutionizing our relationship with vehicles, tools, travel, clothing and just about everything else. In addition to Marissa, panelists included: Adam Black, KeyWifi; Sharon Schneider, Good Karma Clothing; Milicent Johnson, Shareable Magazine (moderator). 


FastTrac GrowthVenture is for established entrepreneurs who want to take the next step. FastTrac GrowthVenture is a flexible, 30-hour course with a proven framework to help established entrepreneurs realize their business’ full potential through sustainable growth and operational efficiency. Certified FastTrac Affiliates teach the courses in an interactive, group-oriented environment where participants can network with one another to bolster their business knowledge and ideas.

Marissa served as a guest speaker for this program, offering a class in "Purpose PR & Marketing for Startups" in August, 2011, December, 2011, and in May, 2012.


Speaker, Entrepreneur Week

During the panel, "Do It Yourself PR, Branding, and Social Media for Entrepreneurs," in April, 2012, audience members developed an understanding of why it’s in an organization's best interest to invest in an integrated PR, branding, and social media strategy. The panel explored how to:

  • Think like a journalist and cultivate media relationships

  • Discover and communicate the purpose of your company

  • Grow and innovate communications with cutting-edge tools and metrics

Panelists included:

  • Marissa Feinberg, co-founder of Green Spaces

  • Fran Biderman-Gross, President & CEO at Advantages

  • Susan Lindner, Founder of Emerging Media


In March, 2012, Marissa participated in the panel, “Leveraging Technology to Enhance Your Community.” The panelists explored how coworking spaces are, and should be, using technology. Rebecca Brian, COO and co-founder, Nextspace, moderated. Panelists included:

  • Doug Marinaro, President/COO, Liquidspace

  • Joel Dullroy, co-founder, Deskwanted

  • Marissa Feinberg, co-founder, Green Spaces

  • Elton Rivas, co-founder, Cowork Jax

Click here to watch this panel, and others, about coworking.


Speaker, American Planning Association NY, Innovative & Affordable Workspace Solutions

“A Panel Discussion of Business Incubators and Entrepreneurial Support in NYC,” in March, 2012, addressed that finding affordable workspace, and navigating red tape, are common obstacles for most small business owners and entrepreneurs across the country. When it comes to New York City, these challenges can be substantially greater due to higher rents and start-up costs. Public and privately run business incubators help ease this burden by providing inventive physical spaces conducive to resource sharing, as well as supportive business services for their clients. New York City is home to a number of business incubators covering a range of industries from technology, to fashion, to food.

This event, held at the Alliance for Downtown New York’s Hive at 55 business incubator in Lower Manhattan, highlighted the significant and growing role that incubators play in cultivating business success in the City. Speakers included:

  • Marissa Feinberg, co-founder, Green Spaces NY

  • Kathrine Gregory, Founder Director Mi Kitchen Es Su Kitchen®, and Managing Consultant, The Entrepreneur Space: A Food and Business Incubator

  • Dmytro Pokhylko, Director, New York City Economic Development Corporation

  • Daria Siegel, Director, Hive at 55, Alliance for Downtown New York


Speaker, Green Entrepreneur Summit

Themed, "Scaling Up Without Selling Out," the summit offered successful tools and strategies for rapidly accelerating New York-based businesses committed to more sustainable ways of operating — this means being comfortably profitable while taking care of their stakeholders and the planet. Green Entrepreneur Summit, offered in July, 2010, was for companies looking to raise capital to scale up operations, in a highly competitive market, with a new technology, product or service and first movers advantage, or concerned about environmental impact.

The “Marketing Strategies Panel” topics covered social media, leveraging stakeholders, retooling your business model, rebranding your business, and pitfalls to avoid greenwashing. Moderated by Erica Grigg, CEO of Carbon Outreach, panelists included:

  • Michael Margolis - Get Storied, company branding and positioning

  • Susan McPherson - SVP Fenton

  • Les Neuman - Managing Director, Hudson Valley Innovation Center

  • Marissa Feinberg - Co-Founder, Green Spaces NY

  • Martin Saposnick - Hudson Valley Innovation Center