A southside Chicago native, Marlene Ceja grew up in Chicago’s vibrant Little Village neighborhood. That is where her love of service began at a very young age, coming from a family that believes in the power of community and giving back. As a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a degree in business, she continued to pursue her passion for enhancing community initiatives and driving impactful change through philanthropy. Her professional career spans over 15 years in fund development lending her voice to advocacy work in various areas. In her spare time, Marlene can be found in her garden, visiting local coffee shops, and spending time with her beloved family. Marlene is enthusiastic about joining Erika’s Lighthouse and breaking the stigma and cultural barriers that often create challenges for youth surrounding mental health and ensuring that all youth know that everyone deserves good mental health.