Meet Marisa Cleveland, VP of Operations

We’re excited to introduce Marisa Cleveland, who joined Penfield Children’s Center as our new Vice President of Operations. She brings warmth, curiosity, and a strong operational mind to our team.

A Global Background and a Heart for Service

Born in South Korea and adopted at five months old, Marisa grew up in Barcelona, Spain, and speaks both Spanish and Catalan. She recently relocated to Milwaukee from San Francisco, where she worked as Chief of Staff at a French biotech startup. When the company closed its US office, Marisa took time to explore Milwaukee, recharge, and reflect on what mattered most in her next chapter.

Professionally, Marisa brings a wealth of experience in healthcare, technology, and mission-driven organizations, having led teams across marketing, IT, HR, facilities, and accounting. She is passionate about building strong systems, streamlining processes, and creating cultures of accountability and collaboration. At Penfield, she will oversee Facilities, IT, HR, and Operational Strategy, helping align our infrastructure to support growth, enhance service delivery, and improve the experience of both families and staff.

Outside the Office

Marisa doesn’t have a dog (yet) but loves borrowing time with her neighbors pups for snuggles. If she didn’t have to work, she would be a professional volunteer, giving her time to causes she believes in, and she would travel more often. As she puts it, “My list of places I want to visit has shrunk as I’ve explored them, but the list of places I want to revisit keeps growing.”

Fun Facts and Favorites

• Sweet and salty snacks (especially with chocolate) are her go-to. Dubai chocolate is a current favorite
• She makes sparkling water at home and enjoys a good cup of tea
• Her Korean name is WooHee
• She’s multilingual and brings a cross-cultural perspective to everything she does

Want to know more about Marisa

Ask her about her travels, her favorite volunteer experiences, or where to find the best chocolate. We’re so glad to have her on Team Penfield.

Connect with Marisa on LinkedIn to learn more about her background and passions.