Staff Biographies

Marlena Becker graduated from UCLA in 2019 with a BA in Theater. She is dedicated to making a difference in the world, and she could not think of a better way to do so than through her work at PRESENT NOW. Additionally, Marlena is an actor in The Wallis Studio Ensemble, an LA-based theater company dedicated to social justice and inclusion. She is also involved in a journalism program through StageRaw, an online platform for reviewing and discussing Los Angeles art. Prior to PRESENT NOW, Marlena was the Development Intern at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. She also works as a vocal teacher for children. Marlena is an avid musician, dancer, actor, yogi, and writer. Marlena is a certified Domestic Violence Advocate from the California Cognitive Behavioral Institute.

​Zach Leonard is a class of 2020 graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. As an undergraduate he studied Political Science and Environmental Policy, as well as working to promote equitable access to higher education. He now lives in Los Angeles where he hopes to do impactful work in the nonprofit sector. 

 
​Lilian Miller joined PRESENT NOW in 2017, serving two years as a Board Member prior to assuming her role as Executive Director. In just one year, under Lilian's leadership, PRESENT NOW implemented new technologies, structural upgrades and procedural improvements to prepare for a national program expansion. In 2020, Lilian led the team's efforts to create a five-year strategic growth plan and onboard nine new Shelter Partners, including partnerships in Alaska, Nevada and Texas. She also guided the transformation  of the volunteer program and warehouse operations in order to scale up the Presents Program. As a creative fundraiser, Lilian established new revenue streams while providing the strategic direction for the development of the Founders Circle, the National Expansion Project campaign, and the new annual event Give Love & Be Loved, first of which is a digital production due to the Covid-19 environment.

She has held management positions at a variety of nonprofit organizations, working in health, education, arts, and global philanthropy. Prior to PRESENT NOW, she served as Director of Annual Giving at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. 

Lilian earned an MPA in nonprofit management and policy from the New York University Wagner School of Public Service and is a designated Certified Fund Raising Executive by CFRE International. She previously served on the board of the Plus Me Project.

​Lilian grew up in Brazil and is a hobby visual artist and designer. Shortly after accepting her leadership role at PRESENT NOW, Lilian pursued training as a certified Domestic Violence Advocate, from the California Cognitive Behavioral Institute, to inform her work with domestic violence survivors.
​