Marlene is a first-generation Cuban American. Her parents fled communist Cuba in the 1960s in search of freedom and a better life for their kids. Their risk paid off and allowed Marlene to pursue her career as a broadcast journalist which brought her to Arizona. It was in Arizona where she met the love of her life, Grant Woods and they raised a family together before he passed away in 2021.
While Marlene’s late husband, Grant Woods, served as Arizona’s Attorney General, Marlene was exposing corruption and holding the powerful accountable during her 20-year journalism career.
Outside of their respective careers, Marlene and Grant were dedicated to improving the lives of Arizona children, from founding the Mesa Arts Academy within the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley, where she served as President of the school board, to spearheading a local tennis tournament that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help underserved kids to, helping found the Phoenix Children’s Museum.
Though Marlene’s philanthropic efforts have focused on improving the lives of Arizona’s children, she has a passion for preserving and expanding the individual freedoms of all Arizonans.
She is a lifelong supporter of a woman’s right to choose and couldn’t stand by idly watching ongoing attacks on our voting rights. So, in 2022, Marlene chaired the campaign of Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and led a group of former journalists in calling out Republican candidates, including Kari Lake, for their attacks on the media while spreading disinformation.
Marlene’s dedication to the preservation of our democracy was recognized by Governor Katie Hobbs’, who invited Marlene to serve on her transition committee.
