Marie Rocha - Fairfield County Look

Portrait by ChiChi Ubiña

YWCA Greenwich will be holding its 7th Annual Women Who Inspire Awards to recognize exceptional women in our community. YWCA Greenwich’s Women Who Inspire Awards was established to recognize and celebrate outstanding women who have excelled in philanthropic, professional, and volunteer pursuits. Importantly, these honorees have enriched the lives of many in our community. This event acknowledges the changes in society that have led to the fluidity of work/life pursuits for women of today.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Marie Rocha founded Realist Lab and Realist Ventures, where she drives innovation and fosters economic growth for entrepreneurs. Over the years, her work has focused on empowering underrepresented founders and building communities that prioritize inclusion, provide accessibility, and make a long-term impact.

Her career highlights include developing and launching programs that have empowered hundreds of entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and secure funding. Through HAYVN, she created a women-focused startup pitch competition in an inclusive and supportive environment. At Realist Lab, she has championed innovative ideas that strengthen communities and foster more inclusive economies. Realist Lab offers entrepreneurs a curriculum and grant opportunities and is the only newly formed nonprofit organization to be included in Connecticut’s recent innovation grant program.

Community involvement has been integral to Marie’s journey. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, where safe spaces are created for young people to learn and thrive. As a member of the Live Girl Advisory Committee, she supports initiatives that empower young women by helping them build confidence and leadership skills. She is also a Board Director of the Fairfield County Community Foundation, focusing on closing equity gaps in housing and improving health care. Her community involvement extends to organizations such as Vest, Person To Person, and CT Public, where she works to create opportunities that drive growth and inspire learning.

Marie profoundly values the importance of collaboration and mentorship and cherishes the connections she has built through her professional and volunteer efforts. Her lifelong commitment to giving back began in her early teens through volunteer work. She continues to leverage her professional expertise and passion for innovation to create lasting impact within her community and beyond, striving to provide new opportunities for the next generation.