Psychologist, activist and businesswoman Maryellen Markley has been a fundraiser, strategic planner and grant writer in Hawai’i since 1992. Before moving to Hawai’i, she wrote health care legislation on Capitol Hill, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Orphan Drug Act that helps drug companies develop treatments for rare diseases.

Dr. Markley has served as board chair or director for more than 25 local nonprofits since 1995. She currently sits on the board for Habitat for Humanity and serves as chair of the Hawaii Professional Firefighter’s Foundation, which raises funds to help local firefighters battle job-related cancers. Dr. Markley has also worked with Hawaii News Now to develop a program to support the media needs of local charities. Her business, First Impressions, has raised more than $14.5 million over the past six years for nonprofits that provide human services to those in need.