Alumni Spotlight: Marlene A. Malek
Class of 1979
Degree:
Ms. Marlene Malek is a community activist, health care advocate, patron of the arts. Marlene earned her degree in Nursing from Marymount in 1979 while also raising her children. In addition to being an alumna, Marlene is an extraordinary advocate and volunteer at Marymount. Marlene serves on the Board of Trustees, and has been recognized for her dedication and accomplishments with the Mother Gerard Phelan Gold Medal for exemplary Community Leadership, and the Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award. The Malek School of Nursing Professions is named in honor of Marlene and her late husband Frederic V. Malek for their service and commitment to the institution.Marlene is Vice Chairman of Friends of Cancer Research which is our country’s leading voice in advocating for policies and solutions that will get treatment to patients in the safest and quickest way possible. She serves on the Board of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, as well as the Duke University’s Cancer Institute. Marlene also served on the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center Leadership Council. Marlene received a Presidential Appointment and served the NIH National Cancer Advisory Board for six years.Marlene was a Presidential Appointee to the Board of Trustees for the J.F. Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts from 2002-2008, and now serves on their International Committee. Additionally, she serves on Boards for the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Ford’s Theater Society, Vital Voices Global Partnership, Explore Children’s Museum, the Public Broadcasting for Greater Washington WETA.Marlene is a member of the Executive Roundtable of the Republican Governors Association, and serves on the Board of the Vice President’s Residence Foundation, and the George & Barbara Bush Foundation.
The Washingtonian Magazine named Marlene, a “Washingtonian of the Year” in 2004, and one of The Most Powerful Women in Washington in 2019.Marlene resides in McLean, VA and has two grown children and five grandchildren.
What advice do you have for current students?
Volunteer for an organization in your community. It is amazing what you can do from the outside and help the people on the inside.
