Marisa Denker is the founder and CEO of Connect the Dots, a WBE/DBE firm focused on inclusive public and stakeholder engagement. Evolving from Marisa’s Fulbright project, Connect the Dots is based in Philadelphia and operates as a WBE/DBE on the east coast, where the firm is known for designing and delivering strategic, innovative and inclusive engagement processes to meet people where they are. Connect the Dots specializes in community-informed decision making in transportation, planning, placemaking economic development projects and more with clients including SEPTA, DVRPC, City of Philadelphia, Jersey City, NJTPA, and many more. Marisa brings deep expertise in inclusive public and stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, stakeholder management, and participatory research. She holds an MA in Design Practice from Dublin University (via her Fulbright fellowship) and a BA Urban Studies from University of Pennsylvania where she graduated as Phi Beta Kappa. Marisa is also an adjunct Professor at the University of Pennsylvania where she has developed and teaches a course on public engagement entitled Participatory Cities.