UpRoot Consulting
UpRoot Consulting
Hi There, I'm Marissa
My name is Marissa, I am a registered dietitian, anti-racism educator, and executive leader, who is passionate about the intersection between anti-racism & the systems within which we work, live, and play. For the past few years I have been working at this intersection with a focus on food sovereignty, equity, and bringing diverse voices together toward common goals.
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I started UpRoot Consulting because as a Black woman, leader, health professional, and queer person, I feel it is important to normalize conversations about anti-racism, oppression, and how we may be unintentionally upholding white supremacy.
​I specialize in integrating anti-racism education into every step of organizational development. My work empowers clients to cultivate inclusive work cultures, diversify decision-making bodies, and create lasting systemic change. I take pride in developing tailored solutions that align with your organization’s unique goals, helping you lead with equity, transparency, and respect for all communities.
To uproot means to remove and pull up by the roots. Join me in uprooting racism in your work, your community, your family, and yourself.
Consulting Services That Prioritize Equity and Growth
Anti-Racism Education & Training
Equip your staff, leadership, and board with the tools and knowledge necessary for meaningful anti-racism work. Through interactive workshops, trainings, and curriculum development, I help organizations address and dismantle systemic racism at every level.
Examples of these sessions include Anti-Racism Terminology 101 or Introduction to White Privilege & White Fragility.
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Non-Profit Consulting
Maximize your nonprofit’s impact with a strategy that is rooted in inclusivity, equity, and community. Whether it’s program design, resource allocation, or stakeholder engagement, I assist nonprofits in developing sustainable, equitable practices that reflect their core values.
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Board Governance & Strategy
Strong, diverse leadership is key to an organization’s success. I help you establish inclusive governance practices, diversify your board, and create policies that reflect a commitment to racial equity and social justice, ensuring that your board can make decisions that are both strategic and inclusive.
Organizational Culture Transformation
Change starts from within. I guide organizations through the process of assessing their current culture and implementing practices that promote diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism. From employee engagement to leadership alignment, I help build an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
"Partnering with Marissa and UpRoot Consulting has been an incredible experience that continues to shape how we approach our work at Endura Consulting. Marissa brings a unique blend of expertise, lived experience, and courageous leadership to the table. Her ability to guide organizations through uncomfortable but necessary conversations about anti-racism and systemic oppression is transformative.
What makes Marissa’s approach so impactful is her deep commitment to creating sustainable change. She doesn’t just point out where systems fall short—she works tirelessly to co-design solutions that center the voices of those most affected by inequities. Her leadership fosters brave, inclusive spaces that move beyond performative actions to meaningful, lasting progress.
We’re proud to collaborate with UpRoot Consulting to advance health equity and justice. Marissa’s work is vital in reimagining the systems that shape our communities, and it’s a privilege to stand alongside her in this mission."
Vash Ebbadi-Cook, Founder & Principle Consultant, Endura Consulting
Contact Information
"For there is always light,
If only we're brave enough to see it
If only we're brave enough to be it."