Marlene has 11 years of experience supporting community-based initiatives through the non-profit sector and in academia.

Born and raised in Sunnyside, a rural agricultural town in Washington state, they spent summers picking cherries with their mother and sisters. As the child of Mexican farmworkers they have witnessed firsthand the challenges many land workers face.

They hold a deep respect and connection to the land thanks to their family’s passion for farming, fishing, bee keeping, and gardening. Their commitment to community resiliency and environmental protection is their guiding force for ongoing work with HEAL.

Marlene earned their B.A. in Society, Ethics, and Human Behavior from the University of Washington.

They are based out of Washington, D.C., occupied Piscataway territory.