Marianne Ho Barnum earned her BA in Psychology from Kenyon College, where she began volunteering and was Co-Captain of the Women’s Soccer Team. After working in a few difference industries, she found her passion in the not-for-profit world. As Campaign Director for United Way of Greenwich, Marianne trained over 270 volunteers, managed VIP accounts, and increased fundraising significantly. She volunteered on the Board of the Greenwich Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Town of Greenwich Affirmative Action Committee and the United Way Planning Council.

Marianne discovered her true calling in racial equity work while on the Board of the YWCA of Greenwich over 20 years ago while selecting diversity training for a board retreat. She initiated a Racial Justice Committee, co-facilitating a discussion group as well as volunteering as Nominating Chair and President of the Board. Marianne began her career in diversity and equity as a Program Trainer running interactive anti-discrimination programs for parents and students as part of the Connecticut Anti-Defamation League’s A World of Difference.

For 16 years, Marianne was Director of Multiculturalism & Inclusion at Brunswick School while simultaneously establishing the Horizons at Brunswick School Student Enrichment Program. At Brunswick, she implemented a wide range of programs and workshops for students, faculty and parents, increased faculty of color, increased enrolled students of color and formed a faculty/staff committee of 50 members. She feels fortunate to continue more than 18 years of meaningful discussions with the Brunswick Diversity in Action Club.

The Horizons Program which she started 7 years ago with 30 students is now serving 118 K-8th grade students that qualify for free or reduced-price lunch from Greenwich Public Schools. As Executive Director, Marianne seeks new opportunities for her Horizons students and focuses on increasing their reading and math skills over the six weeks of the summer program. Bonds are formed between staff and students over the nine-year program and Marianne enjoys welcoming students off the bus each day.

Marianne first walked into the YWCA of Greenwich as a teenager for summer tennis lessons with her sister. Today, she still uses the pool to swim her laps each week. Marianne and her husband, Will, are the proud parents of two grown sons, Eric and Kevin. Marianne enjoys traveling with her husband and loves spending time with her sons.