Board of Directors

Dr. Marilyn Wells is a clinical psychologist, philanthropist, and advocate dedicated to addressing homelessness, foster care, and domestic violence. She is Co-Chair of the John and Marilyn Wells Family Foundation, which focuses on ending homelessness, housing foster youth, and supporting women and children affected by trauma. The foundation also funds education initiatives and numerous entertainment industry charities. Stories From The Frontline, an initiative of the John and Marilyn Wells Family Foundation, is a storytelling platform that elevates stories of lived experience to raise awareness. SFTF promotes housing solutions that work and galvanizes communities to get involved in housing solutions.

Dr. Wells has worked as a consultant and fundraiser for major public-private initiatives, including United Way’s Home For Good, the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles, and the Center for Strategic Partnerships, where she has helped develop housing solutions for foster youth. She is a member of Southern California Grantmakers, Liberty Hill’s X Fund, Funders Together To End Homelessness and USC’s Center for Philanthropy and Public Policy.

Marilyn has held leadership positions on numerous nonprofit boards, including the UCLA Rape Treatment Center, Five Acres in Pasadena, and as a Founding Board Member of the Episcopal School of Los Angeles. As Board Chair for Grace Center, she led efforts to expand trauma-informed services for domestic violence survivors. She also served as Co-Executive Director at Grace Center, where she developed a clinical program to serve women and children impacted by family violence.

Dr. Wells earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, with research and clinical expertise in trauma and abuse. She and her husband, writer/director/producer John Wells are active political and social advocates.