Marianne Brisson is the newest addition to the ESP Advisors team, joining as Operations and Marketing Manager. With a background that bridges politics, ocean policy, and marine conservation, she brings a unique blend of experience to the role. Marianne completed a Master of Science in International Business with a thesis on Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and later served as a Policy and Operations Advisor in the Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Coast Guard. In 2019, she was awarded the Global Fellowship in Marine Conservation at Duke Marine Lab, where she explored the use of drones for marine conservation. Passionate about the ocean since childhood, Marianne now channels her expertise into supporting ESP’s policy team and strengthening the organization’s operations and marketing. Curious about her journey? Get to know her below!
Where does your interest in the ocean come from?
I grew up in a small coastal town in Québec called Chandler, a community sustained largely by fisheries and tourism. My summers were spent playing on the beach, searching for sea stars, shells, and agates. Some mornings, we would wake up early to head out on my dad’s Zodiac, scanning the waters for North Atlantic right whales. One unforgettable day, we even spotted a basking shark. As a teenager, I trained and later worked as an ocean lifeguard, further deepening my bond with the sea. My family has always shared a strong connection with the ocean. My grandfather was a ship pilot, guiding cargo vessels from around the world safely into local ports, navigating their complex ocean floors. My mother, an artist, also drew inspiration from the sea, and she passed along that deep sense of belonging to me. Though I was always passionate about marine life, I never imagined myself working in that field. Looking back now, it seems so obvious that I would eventually find my way here.
What path took you into ocean policy?
I began my career in politics with the goal of one day working in a Canadian embassy abroad. After a short period in the Office of the Minister of International Trade—during the NAFTA renegotiations—I quickly realized that this was not the field I was meant to pursue. I decided to continue my studies, and by the end of my Master of Science in International Business, I chose to write my thesis on Canada’s Ocean Supercluster in Halifax. That decision turned out to be one of the best I’ve ever made, as it introduced me to an ecosystem that perfectly combined public policy, innovation, economy and marine biology. Not long after, I spent a summer at the Duke Marine Lab as a global fellow, where I studied the use of drones for marine conservation alongside marine ecology. Upon returning to Canada, I secured a position as a Policy and Operations Advisor in the Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Coast Guard. This was a unique opportunity to immerse myself more deeply in ocean policy, both in Canada and on the international stage, and I remain deeply grateful to that team for the experience.
What are you looking forward to in your work with ESP Advisors?
I am beyond excited to now be part of ESP Advisors, a team led by thoughtful, knowledgeable, and passionate women. This is an incredible group of professionals who consistently go above and beyond for their clients and partners. I believe that nature, especially the ocean, has the power to unite people across political differences. After many years on the policy side and having gained a deep understanding of the complexities that come with it, I have finally found my place on the operations and marketing side, where I can support our amazing policy team.
What’s something that blows your mind about the ocean?
The beauty of its creatures never ceases to amaze me. I still can’t believe how many nudibranchs exist in the ocean, each displaying the most unreal colors imaginable!
