founder | connectary
ABOUT: marisa lopez weiser

Marisa

I’m a brand strategist and storyteller turning complex missions into compelling narratives for leaders building a better world.

Amplifying the stories that matter.

[ my story ]

The right story changes everything.

I learned this early in my career working with National Geographic explorers—award-winning writers, visual storytellers, scientists, and adventurers who used mesmerizing imagery and captivating narratives to inspire businesses and governments to prioritize sustainability. I saw how a well-told story could move audiences from curiosity to commitment, and awareness to action.

As Head of Global Events & Exhibitions for National Geographic photographer Mattias Klum, I produced campaigns for some of the world's most influential platforms—the World Economic Forum in Davos, UN Climate Change Conferences, World Expo in Shanghai, Earth Summit in Rio, and the Nobel Laureate Symposium—focused on biodiversity loss and climate change.

Later, as an International Agent for National Geographic Speakers Bureau, I managed speaking engagements for 60+ world-class explorers including Jane Goodall, Sylvia Earle, Reza and Steve McCurry, booking events for governmental organizations, NGOs, and multinational corporations globally.

The moment that crystallized everything for me came during my years as Marketing Director for Visions in Focus, a global pitch coaching agency. I watched hundreds of impact-driven founders use story to hook investors emotionally, make complex ideas tangible, and ultimately raise billions in funding. I saw firsthand that the founders who succeeded weren't always the ones with the best technology or the biggest market, but the ones who could tell the most compelling story about why their vision mattered and why they were the right ones to make it happen.

Storytelling isn't just a nice-to-have. For mission-driven founders, it's the difference between an idea that gets ignored and a vision that gets funded.

[ what I do now ]

I've collaborated with leaders in climate and clean tech, urban mobility, innovation, educational reform, digital wellness, and culture-shifting media. I've helped TED speakers refine their talks, best-selling authors polish their platforms, and startups design the branding, pitches and websites that secured their funding. Whether you're presenting your big idea for the first time or building a movement for change, I bring creative vision and strategic process, honed through two decades of working with entrepreneurs and world-class organizations.

Let's Work Together 
[ my approach ]
Woman with dark hair, glasses, and earrings, smiling while standing against a gray background next to a white wire chair, wearing a black dress and a red scarf.

I Believe In

  • Your story should be simple enough to repeat, powerful enough to remember. Images and body language often speak louder than the words themselves.

  • Audiences and investors connect with the raw truth. I bring human voices and stories to the fore, because humans connect with humans.

  • Beautiful slides mean nothing if the narrative doesn't land. We can’t build a lasting brand without first laying the foundation.

  • I'm invested in your success, not just your project. By helping leaders making a difference in the world, I am shaping a better future. When you win, we all win.

[ Current Initiatives ]

Community Engagement

From 2016-2024, I led FERN (Female Entrepreneurs Resource Network), an events-based community of 700+ international founders in Spain. There, I witnessed how sharing our stories clarifies our vision, creates authentic connection, and opens doors to collaboration.

Nowadays, when I'm not crafting brand strategies, presentation decks and websites, you'll find me advocating for more human connection in our digital world—through in-person phone-free events for youth, and mindful community-building focused on resilience, hope and action.

  • In a world filled with uncertainty, The Hope Collective offers a safe space to acknowledge our concerns while reclaiming hope, connection, and inner strength.

    Through guided meditations, honest conversations, and practical ways to build our resilience, we are creating another reality. Online, open to people from anywhere in the world.

    Visit our website to join our next events → hope-collective.org

  • Village Clubhouse was created by 3 moms on a mission to bring back real-life events for teens & tweens in a screen heavy world.

    We’re the last generation to remember what it was like to grow up without the toxic influence and constant distraction of our devices.

    Our phone-free events offer a wholesome, analog alternative, fostering the human-to-human connection, empathy, creativity, and presence today’s society so desperately needs.

    Follow us for more → @village.clubhouse.sitges

Two women smiling at each other, holding wine glasses, at an outdoor social gathering with other women in the background.
Two women are conversing at a social gathering outdoors. One woman is drinking white wine from a glass, while the other woman is smiling and gesturing. There are flowers and greenery in the background, and a wooden table with chairs.

Credentials & Experience

    • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), University of California at Berkeley

    • Graduated with Honors, Phi Beta Kappa & Summa Cum Laude

    • 20+ years in international brand strategy, storytelling, and impact communications

    • Former National Geographic (Events, Content, Speakers Bureau)

    • Marketing Director for agency helping 3,000+ startups raise €10B+ in funding

    • Founder & Director, FERN (700+ member entrepreneurial community)

    • Partnerships with WWF, Swedish Postcode Lottery, Singularity University, others

    • Brand strategy & messaging

    • Visual storytelling

    • Investor pitch design

    • Presentation design

    • Copywriting

    • Website design

    • Workshop facilitation

    • Community building

    • English (native)

    • Spanish (fluent)

    • French & Catalan (conversational)

    • Empowering women & girls

    • Culture-shifting media

    • Climate & sustainability

    • Social innovation & entrepreneurship

    • Digital wellness & mental health

Let’s Work Together.

If you're building something that creates positive change and are ready to clarify your story, amplify your voice, and mobilize the resources you need to grow your impact and reach—let's talk.

Book a Discovery Call