Marlene Malek

Marlene Malek is a community activist, health care advocate and a patron of the arts.   

Mrs. Malek is Vice-Chairman of Friends of Cancer Research, America’s leading voice in advocating for policies and solutions that will get treatment to cancer patients in the safest and quickest way possible.  She serves on the Board of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, as well as the Duke University’s Cancer Institute in Durham, NC. Mrs. Malek also served on the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center Leadership Council. She received a President Appointment to the National Cancer Advisory Board which is part of the National Institute of Health (NIH) and served a six-year term. 

Mrs. 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.  In addition, The Malek School of Nursing Professions at Marymount University is named in honor of Mrs. Malek and her late husband Frederic V. Malek, for their service and commitment to the institution. 

Mrs. Malek was a Presidential Appointee to the Board of Trustees for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts from 2002-2008, and now serves on their International Committee.  Additionally, she serves on Boards of Trustees for the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Vital Voices Global Partnership, and Explore Children’s Museum.  In 2021, she joined the Board of Public Broadcasting for Greater Washington, WETA. Mrs. Malek is a member of the Director’s Circle at the National Gallery of Art. She is also a council member of the White House Historical Association. 

Mrs. Malek serves on the board and executive committee of Ford’s Theatre Society.  She recently received the most coveted honor - The Lincoln Medal.  Acknowledged by the President of the United States, the medal is awarded to a person who, through their body of work, accomplishments or personal attributes, exemplifies the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln. 

Mrs. Malek supports Republican Governors and is a member of the Executive Roundtable of the Republican Governors. She serves on the Board of the George & Barbara Bush Foundation and the Nixon Library Foundation. Additionally, she served on the Board of the Vice President’s Residence Foundation from 2000 – 2008 and then again in 2016 – 2020. 

Washingtonian Magazine named Mrs. Malek, a “Washingtonian of the Year” for her work in building support for cancer research.  For 33 years, Washingtonian has honored people who make the region a better place. In 2023, Mrs. Malek was chosen as one of the most powerful women in Washington. 

On May 4, 2024, Mrs. Malek was the commencement speaker at Marymount University and received an honorary Doctor of Humaine Letters.   

In 1979 Mrs. Malek graduated from Marymount University School of Nursing. She resides in McLean, VA.  She has two grown children and five grandchildren.