Her Story
About Marchelle
I am the Director of Human Services for the City of Laurel, Maryland, where I manage the day-to-day operations of our Human Services Department. This department was created by the mayor in March 2025, and I was appointed to lead it after serving as the Director of the Laurel Multi-Service Center from October 2023 to March 2025. The Multi-Service Center is a central hub for coordinated human services in the City of Laurel, operated through partnerships within my department. It brings together a wide range of programs, nonprofit partners, and other government resources under one roof to better serve our residents. I also manage the Helping Hands Program, a youth service bureau that is one of five remaining in Maryland, providing youth and family counseling for city residents and surrounding areas. I'm very proud that the Multi-Service Center opened in September 2024 and has become a beacon of hope for many individuals seeking support with housing, dealing with food insecurity, and needing basic services. The center assists with housing support, food support, clothing, workforce development, and offers case management and resource navigation. We host a variety of community events and work with partners such as legal aid to provide our residents with the necessary resources to live a better life. With over 10 years of experience in government service, including 6 years working for a county agency before my current position, I bring a deep commitment to serving the community and making a positive impact on people's lives.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Marchelle
01What do you attribute your success to?
For sure, just my faith. I'm a woman of faith, and my foundation of my family, the support of my husband, and the love of my children, my two sons, have helped to create an environment and support my efforts in giving back. I contribute my upbringing, my family life, and my education, all of that, and the support of my colleagues to the person that I am today. I grew up as a preacher's kid, and I've watched my parents serve the community and help those who are less fortunate. As an adult, I just wanted to continue that legacy and that upbringing that I received from my parents of giving back and caring about your neighbor. I love that if it's just a small contribution in helping someone have a better life, that motivates me to do this work.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received is do something you love to do, then it's not work. I always tell young people, find what you're passionate about, and go after it, because you will love it, regardless of the pay. It will assist you during those tough times, because you're enjoying it. The work may not be glamorous, may not get a lot of applause, but if you enjoy what you do, you love what you do, you'll continue to do it.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think right now, with what feels like the assault on nonprofits, or the work that Human Services does, the cuts in social service programs, we have to be creative in how we get the resources to those who need it most. I think that has been a challenge because of the large cuts in some of the programs at the federal and state level.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Just treating people how you want to be treated, being a compassionate person, showing your neighbor dignity, and making sure everyone feels valued, everyone feels heard, everyone feels seen. With what's going on in our society currently, I think it's important just to treat people with care, treat people how you want to be treated. I try to live by that and instill that in my children. You know, just treat people how you want to be treated.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · Maryland
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.