The Founder and President

Message From Marisa Patawaran-Tonnesen, IWA Founder  and President

“Welcome to Impactful Women Association. I saw a need to unify like-minded professional women to promote the true value and collaboration of women across industries and businesses in ways that benefit all involved and set the tone for how women can best connect professionally and personally; cultivate a quality-based network of professionals; and promote one another.”

Marisa Patawaran-Tonnesen is the founder and president of Impactful Women Association®, a nationally recognized professional women’s network organization for executives, professionals and entrepreneurs who want to network and make long-term professional relationships.

In addition to providing leadership, Marisa develops strategic planning processes to advance IWA’s vision and mission, promotes awareness and growth of the association. Through her leadership, Impactful Women Association was recently recognized for their significant contribution with the U.S. Department of Labor- Women’s Bureau and the Obama Administration at an exclusive event for the National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility within 20 months of the organization’s inception.

She is also the president of Core Strategy Group, a strategic consulting firm which specializes in strategy and business development to increase sales, profitability and obtain extraordinary results for small, non-profit and Fortune 500 organizations.

With over 20 years experience in a leadership and strategic consulting position in the financial, insurance, technology, professional services and non-profit industries, Marisa established and maintained business and long-term relationships with Fortune 500, national, and non-profit organizations, C-level executives, and center of influences.

Her professional achievements include the title of Financial Advisor for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, a key position at Euler Hermes ACI, where she was recognized as the number one ranked Account Manager for the U.S. and Canada within a year of her position and a Global Account Manager at NCR Corporation where she led an execution team into Citibank globally and recognized as the Worldwide Chairman’s Award Winner (top 2% in sales in the world) within a year of her position.

She holds numerous professional licenses such as Series 7, Series 66, Life, Health, Variable, Long-Term Care, Personal and Property & Casualty.

Marisa generously gives her time as a Founding Member at Women Futures Exchange, Corporate Leadership Council Member at Family Promise for Morris County and former Foundation Board Member at NJ Sharing Network Foundation and resides with her husband and two sons in New Jersey.