Marisa Diaz-Waian

Marisa is the Founder & Executive Director of Merlin CCC, a public philosophy non-profit dedicated to enriching lives and strengthening the community and environment through philosophy. Born in Santa Monica, CA, Marisa spent the majority of her formative years along the coastlines of Southern & Northern California. As she grew older, Montana became her regular stomping ground. Her summers were frequently spent fly fishing, bird watching & “wandering into the great wide open” with her late father (and buddy), Lee. B. Waian. An active member of the Helena community, Marisa happily “hangs her hat” at Merlin Nature Preserve and serves as its trustee and steward.

A Summa Cum Laude graduate of San Diego State University, Marisa has an M.A. in Philosophy (and B.A. in Philosophy & Psychology). She also holds credentials in basic and elder mediation, advanced-status philosophical practitioner credentials in Logic-Based Therapy, and is an Adjunct Philosophy Instructor at Carroll College. She loves wilderness, the arts, music, sports, dancing, animals, reading, good friends, and laughing deeply and often.