In Memoriam: Marisa Piattelli 1959-2020

It is with profound sadness that Waterfront Toronto must share the news that our long-time colleague and dear friend, Marisa Piattelli passed away on June 10, 2020. 

    
First photo from left: Founding Waterfront Toronto Chair Bob Fung, Former CEO Michael Nobrega, Marisa Piattelli, Chair of Waterfront Design Review Panel Paul Bedford and Former Waterfront Toronto President and CEO John Campbell marking Marisa’s last day at Waterfront Toronto. In the bottom photo, Marisa is joined by her family – daughter Elise, husband Bruno and son Stefano.
 

Marisa joined Waterfront Toronto in 2003. It is no exaggeration to say that she helped chart the course of our organization.  She often remarked that the community needs to see its fingerprints on our projects, and true to this belief, Marisa’s own fingerprints are found in every aspect of Waterfront Toronto‘s culture and achievements.

She found deep personal satisfaction when walking the West Don Lands, the central waterfront and East Bayfront—all unrecognizable from a few years ago—knowing they exemplified our commitment to true revitalization rather than traditional redevelopment. She helped define that approach. A path with environmental sustainability, social inclusion, innovation and design excellence at its core and built on a foundation of meaningful public engagement. 

In her time at Waterfront Toronto Marisa served in many roles, starting as Vice President of Government Relations, then Vice President Government and Stakeholder Relations, Chief Administrative Officer and most recently as Chief Strategy Officer. With her passing, it is surely her smile, her warmth, and her elegant, effortless grace we will miss the most.

Marisa was a cherished colleague, a trusted advisor, a mentor and a dear friend. We will continue to be inspired by the standards she set for our organization, as we work to deliver a bright future to Toronto’s shores that stands as a fitting monument to her memory and her service.  

To her husband, Bruno Magliocchetti, and her children, Elise and Stefano, we express our profound gratitude for the time Marisa spent with us and away from you, and our heartfelt sympathy for your loss.

Published on: June 12, 2020