WelCom December 2018:
Marlena Hoeft-Marwick
The St Vincent de Paul Society in Aotearoa New Zealand has elected Marlena Hoeft-Marwick as its new National President.
Marlena, a Vincentian since primary school, says her leadership style will be one of truly listening to the membership and then working collaboratively and decisively to put plans into action.
‘It is time to bring fresh energy to the challenge of feeding the poor, housing the homeless, visiting and sitting with the sick and lonely and listening to what they are telling us, and to embrace our mission of service with a clear sense of purpose’ Marlena says.
‘It is my intention to be a servant leader by providing an encouraging forum at all levels of the Society to increase our membership and the number of conferences. My goal is also to see our spirituality nourished and shared with others and to expand our works of charity throughout New Zealand.’
Marlena has a strong commitment to social justice. She is experienced in working in an advocacy role with clients to get the support they need from government agencies and has a broad range of governance and business experience from New Zealand and overseas. She has been Marlborough Area Council President with the Society and a National Council member for four years.
Marlena and her husband Ian live in Picton. They are involved in several community projects that protect the local environment.