After 15 years as executive director of a growing social service agency, Marlene Lao-Collins, executive director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, has announced she will retire in December.
Accomplishments the agency garnered during her tenure include its selection by SAMHSA to operate one of the nation’s first Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, expanding access to mental health and substance use treatment. Under her direction, Catholic Charities also forged several groundbreaking partnerships to address critical health needs and broaden its capacity to serve marginalized communities. In 2025, she led the agency to earn full accreditation from The Joint Commission, widely recognized as the nation’s “Gold Standard” for healthcare quality and safety.
Additional highlights of her leadership include launching a capital campaign, raising $5.6 million and receiving an honorary doctorate from Georgian Court University, Lakewood.
The Monitor will publish a feature story on Marlene Lao-Collins at a future date.