Maris holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of Visual Arts and has worked as a national award-winning graphic designer at numerous national magazines, e.g., Condé Nast, Vogue, and Rolling Stone, as well as with Jim Henson Productions until his death in 1990. Since relocating to Connecticut from Manhattan in 2013, Maris has done pro bono design work for Safe Futures, CT River Museum, Community Foundation of Middlesex County, and The Community Music School. She currently volunteers as a sidewalker at High Hopes. Additionally, Maris is a 500-hour, nationally-accredited yoga teacher teaching locally. Maris enjoys spending time with her 3 kids, their spouses, and her grandson.