Hailito!

I’m Marz (or Marissa), a citizen of the Muscogee Nation, I’m passionate about giving back to my community and serving my people. I’m thrilled to join Sovereign Energy as the Senior Manager of Tribal Energy Systems, where I’ll be supporting Tribes in strategic energy planning, technical assistance, and energy education.

Based in Santa Barbara, California, I recently graduated from UCSB’s Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, specializing in Energy and Climate with a focus on Indigenous communities. For my Master’s research, I led a project on microgrid pre-development for southern Californian Tribes, conducting feasibility assessments for community centers like domestic violence shelters and elder care facilities. I focused on solar optimization for these facilities due to my past work with the Strong-Hearted Native Women’s Coalition (SHNWC). Supporting missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives (MMIWR) efforts and survivors are deeply important to me, and through my research, I aim to help these essential facilities reduce electricity costs and secure, reliable power for critical services.

My journey in Tribal energy has been shaped by hands-on experience. As an Indigenous Microgrid Developer Intern at GC GREEN, a Native American, service-disabled veteran, and woman-owned small business creator, I worked with Californian Tribes to advance their energy goals. I also developed a community benefits plan within a grant that secured $10 million in funding for a microgrid on a Tribal economic development center, creating a resiliency hub to serve both reservation and nearby communities during emergencies. My experience and network extend beyond California through my involvement with Grid Alternatives’ Tribal Program, as a Tribal Energy Innovators Fellow, I participated in conferences and specialized trainings, earning certifications in microgrids from the Arizona State University’s Laboratory for Energy And Power Solutions program and XENDEE, which is the world’s most awarded Microgrid Decision Support Platform.

I’m grateful for the recognition my work has received, including features in the Santa Barbara Independent and CNET, as well as first place at UCSB’s 2023 Environmental Justice Symposium for my presentation on Indigenous Energy Sovereignty. I’ve also shared insights on Tribal energy sovereignty through guest lectures and conference presentations, exploring renewable energy as a means of reclaiming land, culture, and values.

As I step into this role with Sovereign Energy, I’m filled with gratitude for the mentors and communities who’ve guided me. My goal is to bring about positive change that uplifts Tribal communities, respects our Earth, and honors Indigenous values. I look forward to building solutions together that create a sustainable, just, and resilient energy future for all Tribal nations.

Connect with me on LinkedIn to follow my work and email me with questions or comments at msisk@sovereignenergy.org. 

Mvto!
Marz