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One of the first woman Lieutenant Colonel for the U.S. Marine Corps, Marisa Cawley is known amongst her friends for identifying a need or action and getting the right people alongside her to make things come together. Marisa was one of three moms who founded the “Father and Me Dance” for the Scotts Valley Educational Foundation and has worked tirelessly in the Boy Scout organizations. Marisa influences through making things happen and they do when she is in charge.

Before coming to Scotts Valley, where did you live?

Before coming to Scotts Valley I was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany while servicing on active duty with the US Marine Corps.

What brought you to Scotts Valley and how long have you lived here? 

We chose Scotts Valley because so many people recommended the town because it’s safe and a great place to raise children. Someone once told us it’s nicknamed “Cops Valley” because so many police officers live in this town too so that appealed to our family as well.

What do you love most about living here?

We absolutely love the small community we live in because of the kind and involved people of the town, its proximity to the beautiful redwood state parks and majestic ocean of Santa Cruz, and the community as a whole cares about its town, the people, the schools, and environment.

Please describe what drives and motivates you to do more for others and for the people of Scotts Valley. 

I don’t know that anything specifically drives me to do more for others or the people of Scotts Valley as it’s just part of my personality itself. I love making things happen and turning ideas into action. I love being able to help the people around me, especially children, and share my experiences to provide them with knowledge and life experiences to make them better prepared for life and be more community oriented.