- Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council
Boston, MA (November 2022) – Governor Charles D. Baker has appointed Marissa O’Donnell as citizen member of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council.
Marissa O’Donnell has spent her 15-year career in mission-driven work, representing important causes including cancer and youth development. As both a frontline fundraiser and leader of teams, Marissa has helped to secure over $75 million in contributions from individuals, events, foundations, and corporate partnerships.
Now, as the proud parent to Calvin, a person with Down Syndrome, she has a newfound passion for pairing her professional talents to efforts on behalf of the Intellectual and Developmental Disability community in the Bay State and beyond. Notably, Marissa and her family have driven nearly $100,000 from their personal network to support the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress and efforts focused on inclusive education.
“Marissa’s appointment is in recognition of her tireless work on behalf of people with developmental disabilities”, said Daniel Shannon, MDDC Executive Director. “We are pleased that she is bringing her dedication to the Council.”
Marissa resides in Franklin with her husband Ben, and sons Calvin (3 years old) and Casey (9 months). She is a graduate of Marist College and New York University. These days she’s very busy as mom to an active toddler and nocturnal baby. She loves traveling to visit family and friends, being outdoors with her boys, and finding precious time to herself to scrapbook. She is excited to join the Council to support its important mission of empowering people with developmental disabilities and their families.
About the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council – The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) is an independent agency funded by the federal government to work with the state of Massachusetts to better support people with developmental disabilities and their families. MDDC’s mission is to help people with developmental disabilities have opportunities to lead successful lives in their communities; by supporting inclusive education, greater employment opportunities, and the right to make choices about where, with whom, and how they live.
For more information contact Adelia DelTrecco at adelia.deltrecco@mass.gov
