Marlin Woods is the Executive Chairman of BenefitsPLUS, where he provides overall leadership to enhance the firm’s effectiveness and performance. He also acts as an advisor to the team in developing strategy, builds the firm’s profile by establishing new corporate relationships, and fosters ethical and responsible decision-making while also overseeing and executing development plans.

Marlin serves as a Commissioner for the Allegheny County Human Relations Commission. As a Commissioner, one of seven appointed by the County Executive, he works to assure that all persons regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry or place of birth, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, familial status, age or use of a guide or support animal because of blindness, deafness or physical disability are afforded equal opportunities for employment, housing and use of public accommodation facilities within the county.

Marlin serves as the Executive Leadership Development Chair for the American Heart Association. The American Heart Association Pittsburgh raises $4.5 million annually to impact the Greater Pittsburgh Community’s health. The AHA invests in hands-only CPR, lifesaving research, expanding community health programs focused on blood pressure management, increasing physical activity, and access to healthy food.

Serving as Board President for the Workplace Benefits Association Advisory Board (Conference Planning Committee), Marlin works to educate other benefits professionals on topics such as Direct primary care – its design and its rapid emergence as an alternative healthcare strategy, legislative updates and their ramifications, helping employees become better consumers of their benefits programs, and the potential impact of Medicare-For-All, among other topics.

Marlin also serves as a Mentor through the Pittsburgh Fellows Young Professional Leadership Development, a nine-month leadership program to form future leaders. Marlin’s work as a mentor includes providing an influential mentorship to create accountability, build moral character, and foster servant attitudes. He also helps prepare the Fellows to think strategically and theologically while integrating their faith into their work. Pittsburgh Fellows works to retain the brightest young minds in the Greater Pittsburgh Region.

Marlin has a seat on the Community Advisory Board with the Pennsylvania State University Department of Health Policy, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, “The Impact of Pittsburgh’s Innovative Mobility Vouchers and Mobility Counseling Program on Racial and Economic Equity.”

Marlin also serves in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) and the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania (HAP). This project investigates the effects of HACP’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program on improving low-income, racial/ethnic minority access and the transition to opportunity-rich neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, focusing primarily on the role that landlords play in ensuring the success of these programs.

Marlin has had many amazing mentors throughout his life that have helped to shape him into the leader he is today and continue to make an impact on his life.

• Bishop Loran Mann, Senior Pastor of Pentecostal Temple Church of God
  in Christ
• Jeffrey Gray, Vice President, PNC Wealth Management
• Roman Matusz CLF, Managing Principal, Mass Mutual Pittsburgh
• Ian George, Brokerage Director, Mass Mutual Pittsburgh
• Nelson Griswold, Managing Director NextGen Benefits
• Allan Wampler, Owner, Synergy Real Estate Corporation

Marlin has received a variety of awards that speak to his dedication, leadership, and ability to inspire the community.

• February 2020: Rhonda D. Wright “Good Neighbor” Award by A Second Chance Inc. in recognition of my commitment, enthusiasm, and dedication to making the communities of Pittsburgh a better place.
• August 2020: Pittsburgh Circle of Courage Award by Bynum Marketing & Communications, Inc. in recognition of outstanding leadership and inspiration in the community.
• December 2020: New Pittsburgh Courier “Men of Excellence” Award by the New Pittsburgh Courier in recognition of excellent service and leadership in the community.

• Life, Accident, & Health Insurance License (National Producer
  #16604613)
• Ordained Protestant Minister
• Certified Professional Coach – The Fowler International Academy
• Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets – Harvard Business School
  Online