East Savannah United (ESU) today announced that Marisa Arnold, M.Ed. has been hired as Director of Education and Partnerships. In this newly created role, Marisa will build strategic partnerships, expand cradle-to-career education pathways, and amplify the voices of community residents in shaping a brighter, more equitable future for families and youth living in Savannah’s Eastside. She will also guide the strategic direction of ESU’s early learning initiatives and support the launch of the new Eastside Early Childhood Learning Center, scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2026.

Most recently serving as Director of Youth Programs for Deep Center, Marisa is highly experienced in education, youth development, juvenile justice, and social services, and brings a fundamental understanding and community-centered approach to collaboration and change. Her role will include bridging silos, building trust, and accelerating measurable outcomes for students across Savannah’s Eastside. Through this work, she will help ensure that equity, excellence, and partnership are foundational to the neighborhood’s transformation.

“We welcome Marisa to ESU’s leadership team and look forward to her contributions in this important role as our organization continues to grow,” said Derek Mallow, Executive Director of ESU. “Serving as a critical connector, she will align residents, local schools, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and philanthropic partners toward a shared vision of generational opportunity and thriving families in Savannah’s Eastside.”

“I am honored to join the great team at ESU and look forward to advancing the organization’s mission to create transformational change on the Eastside,” Arnold said. “Supporting the academic success and holistic development of children and youth in these neighborhoods will benefit the entire Savannah community.”

A proud Savannah native, Marisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Wesleyan College and a Master of Education in Adult Education and Community Leadership from Georgia Southern University. Her professional background spans nonprofit leadership, youth-serving systems including DFCS and Juvenile Justice, and property management, where she has championed pathways for generational change and stability.

Marisa is a certified TBRI® Practitioner and an unwavering advocate for trauma informed care and restorative practices. She currently serves on the board of Chosen for the Arts and is deeply involved in local outreach as a worship leader and small group facilitator at Hope City Church. A servant leader both in principle and in practice, she is guided by her faith, love for people, and her role as a devoted mother of three.