The Team

Managing Partner – Strategic Partners of SC
President – MJC Consulting, LLC

Marisa founded MJC Consulting, LLC and Strategic Partners of SC with a focus on what she knows best – building and maintaining relationships in both the public and private sectors. 

MJC Consulting is a full-service consulting and government relations firm that helps clients navigate the executive and legislative branches of government in states across the country. Strategic Partners of SC is an advocacy and fundraising firm focused on assisting candidates, corporations and non-profit clients with advocacy and fundraising campaigns. 

Before starting MJC Consulting, Marisa worked from 2004-2010 in the South Carolina Governor’s Office. During her tenure there, Marisa served as Director of Cabinet Affairs and then Legislative Affairs Director. Her experience in these roles allowed her to work directly with state agency directors, agency senior staff and members of the General Assembly, forging lasting working relationships across state government. 

In 2010, Marisa joined then-State Representative Nikki Haley’s campaign for governor as Finance Director. She continued on with Governor Haley to ensure a second victory in 2014. 

Marisa also served as the chief fundraising adviser to South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and Lt. Governor Pamela Evette for their 2022 re-election effort. She currently serves as a senior advisor to both Governor McMaster and SC Speaker of the House Murrell Smith. 

During her more than 16 years of service to three Governors, Marisa was the primary liaison to the Republican Governors Association (RGA). It was in this role that Marisa was able to extend her relationships to reach into the State Houses of Republican Governors across the United States.

Marisa’s extensive experience in planning high-level events was key in 2006, as she served as Executive Director of the South Carolina Host Committee for the National Governors Association (NGA) Annual Conference held in Charleston, SC. Together, Marisa and Tara planned and successfully executed the four-day conference in under eight months (historically the event is planned over a two-year period). The conference was attended by 43 governors and more than 1600 participants. 

Marisa also served as Executive Director for the South Carolina Inaugural Committees in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023. As inaugural executive director, Marisa led all planning and fundraising efforts, culminating in seven historic, high-profile events held in a 24-hour time period, including a 2023 black tie inaugural gala attended by more than 2400 supporters of Governor McMaster. 

Marisa began her career as a political fundraiser working for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), Senator Bill Frist (TN), Governor George Voinovich (OH), Governor David Beasley (SC), and Senator Phil Gramm (TX). 

Marisa is a graduate of the College of Charleston. After living and working in numerous states across the country, she returned to SC and now resides in Charleston.