Marianne Elliott is a highly accomplished human rights lawyer and researcher with a wealth of experience working in various regions across the world, including Gaza, Timor-Leste, and Afghanistan. She holds an LLB (Hons) degree in Law from the University of Waikato School of Law. Elliott is an expert in researching and effectively communicating complex human rights and environmental issues. She co-founded ActionStation, New Zealand's largest digital campaigning platform and The Workshop. She also served as a member of the Digital Council for Aotearoa New Zealand and the governance team member at Amnesty International New Zealand.

Elliott's professional journey began as a solicitor and barrister at Rudd Watts & Stone. She then worked as a legal advisor at the United Nations Association for International Service (UNAIS) and as a strategy advisor at the Office of the Race Relations Conciliator, New Zealand. She also served as a strategic communications advisor and project manager at New Zealand's Human Rights Commission, where she advised on strategic issues, communications, and developed guidelines on human rights issues. Elliott served as International Head of Provincial Office, and HR officer (Gender Focal Point) at the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, where she developed policies, strategies and worked in delivering legal and human rights advice. She was also a Project Advisor and Acting Director at the Human Rights Research and Advocacy Consortium.