World Polio Day - Marion's Experience

As President and CEO of Leadership Oklahoma, Marion Paden is responsible for the adult program, fundraising, community relations and board management.  Prior to her current position, Marion was VP for Student Services at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) for more than 20 years. A Licensed Professional Counselor, she earned a doctorate in higher education, masters in student personnel and counseling and a bachelor in psychology. 

Balancing a career with community involvement, Marion has served on the boards of numerous state and national organizations including the College Board, American Red Cross, All Sports Association, and Junior League. It was under her leadership as President of the Rotary Club of OKC that it became the world’s largest Rotary Club. A graduate of both Leadership Oklahoma and Leadership OKC, she is the only person to have served LOKC as Alumni Association President and Program Co-Chair for the adult, young adult and high school programs.

Recognition of her contributions include induction into the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame, OCU’s Dulaney-Browne Library Society, Association of Women in Communications Byliners and the Journal Record’s Circle of Excellence. In 2010, Oklahoma State Regent John Massey established the Dr. Marion Paden Distinguished Leadership Scholarship to recognize students that serve their communities while achieving their educational goals at OCCC.

Always planning her next trip, she has travelled to five continents and enjoys great food, fine wine, the fellowship of family and friends and an occasional round of golf.  Marion shares her home with Michael, a rescued Lhasa Apso.