Staff Spotlight Marleyna Beene

At 14 years old, Marleyna Beene got her first job in the nursery at her church in Gig Harbor, Washington. Every Sunday, she would catch a ride to Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church, clock in for two hours, and spend her morning surrounded by 10 to 15 toddlers.

She jokes that 12 years later, her work really isn’t all that different.

Today, Marleyna is a Care Coordinator in Imua Family Services’ Early Intervention program, where children and families remain at the center of everything she does.

“Working in youth spaces has been the common thread throughout my career and volunteer experience,” Marleyna says. “Whether as a coach, counselor, or teacher, I always found myself drawn to positions and organizations with the betterment of children as the core purpose.”

Marleyna joined Imua two and a half years ago, initially working as a Program Assistant. For her first six months, she learned the behind-the-scenes side of Early Intervention, including compliance, data management, documentation, and the tremendous amount of organization required to make services happen.

That experience proved invaluable when she transitioned into her current role.

Today, Marleyna works with anywhere from 40 to 70 families, helping guide them through enrollment and eligibility for Early Intervention services for children from birth to age three. She connects families with community resources and programs while helping parents and caregivers build the knowledge and confidence to advocate for their children and navigate future special education services.

For Marleyna, that trust is something she doesn’t take lightly.

“There is no greater privilege than the trust that families give to the Early Intervention program to support their children,” she says.

Her work is also beginning to take her beyond her individual caseload. Marleyna has presented to groups of students about Early Intervention and the realities of careers in healthcare and social services. This month, she will also serve as a panelist at the annual Hoʻoikaika Conference, sharing with fellow professionals about generational resiliency.

Originally born in Tarzana, California, Marleyna grew up in Gig Harbor and attended the University of Washington, earning a double-major Bachelor of Arts in Law, Societies, and Justice and Comparative History of Ideas. She is now applying to Master of Social Work programs to continue building on her professional journey.

Maui, however, had been part of Marleyna’s story long before she moved here. Her parents were married on Maui more than 30 years ago, and one of her childhood best friends later moved here after high school. After years of visiting during college, Marleyna came to Maui for what was supposed to be one summer.

That summer simply never ended.

Outside of Imua, Marleyna is an avid reader and creative writer, a part-time chef and farmer, a soccer coach, and a yoga enthusiast. She also makes plenty of time for the people she loves, a value rooted in the wonderfully busy household where she grew up.

With journalists, musicians, and teachers in the family, she remembers a home where someone was always “talking or singing or strumming, and loudly.” Cousins, grandparents, aunts, and uncles came and went through an unofficial open-door policy, teaching her the importance of multigenerational community.

Perhaps it’s fitting, then, that the Imua core value Marleyna connects with most is our unwavering commitment to sharing joy with all children of all abilities.

“The unyielding pursuit of joy and justice for all children across families, communities, and geographies drives my work and my dreams for a safer, healthier, and happier world.”

From a church nursery in Washington to dozens of Maui families today, that thread has remained remarkably consistent. For Marleyna Beene, it has always been about the kids.