Marva Griffin is an arts administrator, curator, and founder of the SaloneSatellite exhibition at the annual Milan Furniture Fair in Italy.
[4][8] She describes her role during this period of her career as "Busnelli’s assistant, public relations office, and interpreter (he spoke no English).
[10][13][14][15] She is considered a mentor who has contributed to the careers of well known designers such as Matali Crasset, Front [de], Sebastian Herkner [de], Paul Loebach, Daniel Rybakken [sv], Oki Sato, and Nika Zupanc, and others whose work was first exhibited at SaloneSatellite.
"[17][18] Paola Antonelli of the Department of Architecture & Design at Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) once called her the “great godmother of design.”[5][19] Griffin is quoted as saying, "My objective is to help young people grow.
[2][22][23][24][25] In 2014 she was awarded the Compasso d’Oro for career achievement; in 2015 she was nominated Women Ambassador for the Esposizione Universale in Milan; in 2016 she was made Ambassador of Italian Design by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism, and the Ministry of Economic Development in collaboration with the Triennale Design Museum for the Italian Design Day conference; in 2017 she received the Ambrogino d'oro [it] Gold Medal from the city of Milan; in 2017, she received Special Jury Prize from the Salone del Mobile; and in 2021 she was awarded a laurea honoris causa from Milan Polytechnic University.