As the Senior Director of Capital Planning & Archaeology, Marais works in conjunction with Minnesota’s state, federal, and local agencies to ensure the preservation and stewardship of Minnesota’s cultural resources across the state.
Marais played a key role as the Project Manager for the Historic Fort Snelling Revitalization project, a multi year effort to reenvision the site which included the rehabilitation of a 1904 cavalry barracks building into a new Visitor Center and restoration of native prairie habitat on the landscape.
Marais has a B.A. in Architecture with a minor in Sustainability Studies, as well as a M.S. in Architecture-Heritage Conservation and Preservation, both from the University of Minnesota. She has her Project Management Professional certification, as well as a Prosci Change Management certification. She began her career at MNHS in (year) through the internship program, first with the State Historic Preservation Office and again with the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. Since then, she’s worked with multiple teams across the organization focused on heritage preservation and project management.
Outside of her role at MNHS, Marais advocates for preservation in her community as a commissioner on the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission.