Telling Stories That Save Lives

Marisa Sayre

Executive Director of Development, Marketing and Communications at WVU Medicine Children’s

Marisa Sayre is originally from Jackson, New Jersey, but she came to the Mountain State in 2009 to attend West Virginia University’s Reed College of Media. After graduation, her career took an interesting turn—she worked on a game show called The Million Second Quiz, hosted by Ryan Seacrest. After the show, she worked as a news anchor at WBOY for about six years. She was recruited to join WVU Medicine’s team after hosting the WVU Medicine Children’s Mediathon on WBOY. “I loved telling stories and diving into the community,” she says, “but I just knew that something special was happening at WVU Medicine.”

Sayre was manager of marketing at WVU Medicine Children’s before stepping into her new role—leading the marketing and fundraising teams at Children’s. Although she no longer works in journalism, Sayre says telling stories is still the most important part of her job. “We all have stories,” she says. “Life knocks us down and drives us backward, but when people decide that they won’t give up—when they pick themselves up and move forward—that’s what’s inspiring. And when that comes from our littlest patients at WVU Medicine Children’s, I don’t think there’s anything more powerful.”

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER 2022 WEST VIRGINIA WONDER WOMEN

Learn more about our Wonder Women

Since 2014 WV Living magazine has been honoring West Virginia Wonder Women, amazing women who are raising the bar in their communities, serving as beacons of light in their industries, and forcing change for the greater good. WV Living is proud to celebrate these Appalachian mothers, millennials, and mavens proving that in a time full of uncertainty, divisiveness, and hate, love for one another is all we really need. No need for bulletproof bracelets or a golden lasso of truth—these women are creating a better West Virginia with their can-do attitudes and Mountain State spirit.