Marlene Malek is a community activist, a health care advocate, and a patron of the arts. Ms. Malek is President of Friends of Cancer Research which is a non-profit organization that raises awareness and provides public education on cancer research. She serves on the board of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, as well as the Duke University Cancer Center in Durham, NC. Ms. Malek also serves on the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center Leadership Council, and is a member of the National Dialogue on Cancer.

In the community, Ms. Malek is Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Marymount University, and was awarded Marymount University’s Gold Medal for Community Leadership and the University’s Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award. Other community activities include the Board of Trustees for Vital Voices Global Partnership and the Bridges of Understanding Foundation.

In the cultural realm, Ms. Malek 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 is Vice President of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and on the Board of Ford’s Theatre Society in Washington, DC. Ms. Malek was recently appointed by Virginia Governor McDonnell to the Board of Visitors, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond.

The Washingtonian Magazine named Ms. Malek, a “Washingtonian of the Year” for her work in building support for cancer research. For 33 years, the Washingtonian has honored people who make this region a better place.

Ms. Malek graduated from Marymount University with a degree in Nursing, resides in McLean, VA with her husband, and has two grown children and five grandchildren.