A native of New Mexico, Marissa Corley is committed to growing her current business by attracting new talent and retaining the talent that already exists in the state.
As the head of human resources for OpenEye Scientific, a molecular design and modeling software firm in Santa Fe, Corley leads all aspects of HR for the company. Her next big career goal is to continue to grow within OpenEye and to eventually become an executive-level HR professional.
But her service to New Mexico extends beyond the office.
She has donated her time and talents to organizations like Project Share, Roadrunner Food Bank and STEM Santa Fe. She is also active in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
What’s your favorite New Mexico attraction? The Sandia Mountains and the night sky.
What has been the defining moment of your career? Enduring or encouraging others through the pandemic. Although I was living in Seattle at the onset of the pandemic, where we had to lay off 85% of our staff — even my position was eliminated, which drove me back home to New Mexico — I still had to show up for our employees, and did. I gave employees my cell phone [number], provided additional support to provide assistance in submitting unemployment claims, being on the phone on hold for 45 minutes and beyond. This was a test of patience for employees where English may have been their second language, where generation gaps demonstrated the need for training and showing employees how to use their mobile devices to submit claims, and reassuring employees that there was hope — even in a time of darkness and being unsure. Even though at this point, I had been in human resources for six years, this moment truly showed me that I have a heart for others and that what we do matters to people, personally.
What do you consider your greatest professional achievement? My greatest professional achievement thus far was being promoted to vice president of events and promotions at the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce almost 11 years ago. It was a great accomplishment because in less than a year I had been promoted from assistant to vice president.
