about our Executive Director:
Marissa Q. Paine, MSW

Marissa Q. Paine joined The Haven of Grace as Executive Director in November of 2008.  She is a public relations executive turned social worker with a heart to serve and over 15 years of diverse experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors.  Marissa began her career as a St. Louis Post Dispatch Scholar and later used her writing skills as a public relations account executive for Monsanto before shifting her career to the nonprofit sector where she worked in fundraising and community relations for diverse nonprofits including the American Heart Association, Voices for Children and the Interfaith Partnership of Metropolitan St. Louis.  While completing her master’s degree in social work at Washington University, Marissa served as executive director for a small community-based agency in north St. Louis County.  Prior to joining The Haven of Grace, Marissa directed a 1.2 million dollar capacity building initiative which provided funding, training and technical assistance to small, faith-based organizations in the Greater St. Louis region.  As a wife and mother of three, Marissa’s energy and determination are contagious.  Marissa is a woman of great faith and is quick to share her personal story of triumph over unplanned parenthood with The Haven residents along with one of her favorite quotes, “Winners are made of failures that didn’t quit.”