Alicia Marseille

Alicia Marseille is the Senior Director of the Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service at Arizona State University (ASU), a Global Futures Scientist in the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, and a member of the Global Futures Lab Human Economies Collaborative.

Alicia leads initiatives that advance sustainability, economic development, and circular economy solutions through strategic partnerships, collaborative engagement, and applied innovation. She plays a central role in developing multi-sector coalitions, securing public and private funding, and guiding complex initiatives from pilot to implementation. Her work focuses on catalyzing transformational change across systems by aligning academic research, community priorities, and industry engagement.

She has successfully launched and scaled multiple first-of-their-kind programs, including the RISN Incubator—the first U.S. accelerator focused on circular economy startups—and the development of the Circular Plastic Microfactory and Urban Forestry Accelerator. These efforts are rooted in regional economic development strategies and designed to strengthen local manufacturing, workforce development, and sustainable value chains.

Alicia is recognized for her ability to convene diverse stakeholders, mobilize resources, and build interdisciplinary teams that drive systems-level change. Her collaborative leadership approach emphasizes co-creation and long-term impact, ensuring solutions are grounded, equitable, and scalable.

Her international work includes projects funded by USAID and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), where she contributed to the design of inclusive, high-impact economic strategies. She serves on multiple advisory boards and has been honored with ASU’s Leadership and Vision Awards for her contributions to sustainability and systems transformation.

Alicia’s career in economic development and entrepreneurship began with founding a small business that partnered with Caribbean farmers to export raw green coffee to U.S. markets, laying the foundation for her commitment to inclusive, market-based solutions.