Marlene Thompson, a Human Resources professional, brings a laugh that warms a room and a smile that could quickly put anyone at ease. She is the kind of person who fills a room with welcome, someone who has built a life around opening doors and creating belonging, a trait Marlene witnessed from her parents again and again. Growing up in a bustling home in the heart of Quispamsis, NB, filled with siblings, cousins, and friends, Marlene watched her parents stretch meals for anyone who knocked on their door. “Although financially challenged, they gave back when they didn’t have anything to give,” she recalls. Marlene carries that same spirit that was built into every corner of her childhood home, shaping the foundation of her values, and encouraging kindness in every facet of her life.
After more than a decade with Pier 1 imports, Marlene found herself at a crossroads when the store closed indefinitely. At 51, she felt like her whole life was turned upside down. But instead of shying away from the challenge, she found opportunity. In almost the same beat, as Marlene walked out of Pier 1’s closed doors, she walked through open doors, directly into New Brunswick Community College’s (NBCC) Human Resource Management program in Saint John, NB.
When Marlene first entered the classroom, after three decades in the workforce, she felt terrified. Questions of uncertainty held her mind captive, “Can I, at 51, learn?” Marlene asked herself. “It was intimidating,” she admits. “I was nervous, but I knew I had more to give.” Instructors met her nerves with encouragement, while her Indigenous Success Coach offered steady support. Classmates became collaborators, and the classroom itself became a community of diverse perspectives. “NBCC didn’t just give me skills,” she reflects. “It reminded me that my experience mattered and that I had something to offer.” For Marlene, NBCC was also a place of personal transformation. “When I first started, I didn’t tell anyone I was Indigenous,” she admits. “There was still hesitation. But being immersed in a diverse classroom changed that. When Orange Shirt Day came, I knew it was time to embrace my roots. For the first time, I felt proud.”
Graduating in 2022, Marlene carried that blend of professional knowledge and personal conviction into her role as a Human Resources professional. In her experience, one of Marlene’s moments that she is most proud of is when she noticed highly trained international professionals working far below their qualifications. Engineers driving cabs. Accountants serving coffee. Skilled workers juggling multiple part-time roles without benefits. In her work, she was able to connect this untapped talent to meaningful employment. Marlene has also made strides to provide equitable employment opportunities and sponsorship to Permanent Residency for international professionals. And she continuously works with her colleagues to explore innovative ways to support Indigenous and International learners, fostering pathways to culturally sensitive and responsive workplaces.
Her leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion doesn’t stop at her desk. Her tenacity and passion for helping students have made a lasting impact, particularly on Indigenous and International learners at NBCC. Marlene mentors NBCC students through industry projects, hosts HR Management learners during their practicums, and donates her time and resources to prepare them for careers. She has secured scholarships, supported culturally responsive programming, and even provided PPE for Indigenous and international students in the trades. She attends cultural events, from Ribbon Skirt Celebrations to Mi’kmaq language classes, showing up as an alumna and mentor.
This year, NBCC proudly named Marlene as a 2025 Alumni Recognition Award recipient. Her dedication, generosity, and advocacy have left a profound impact on the community, helping to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.
NBCC’s Robertson Institute for Community Leadership proudly supports our communities through the Community Engagement Fund. Thanks to this initiative, a $250 donation has been made in Marlene’s honour to a non-profit organization of her choice, the NBCC Student Critical Aid Fund.