Introduction
Linda Marcelli is a trailblazer. In her 30 years at Merrill Lynch, Marcelli was one of the first females in Wall Street management. As director of Merrill's flagship New York City district, she oversaw the top-performing branches at the top brokerage firm on Wall Street. For more than two decades, Marcelli split her time between New York and St. Petersburg, where she has become a staple in both philanthropic communities. Marcelli is deeply involved in local organizations like the Pinellas County Urban League and Academy Prep, which provides quality education to underprivileged middle school students. She has previously been named the YWCA Tampa Bay Woman of Distinction, Jeffrey L. Fortune Dream Maker and a Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero.
Years in St. Pete
My husband and I have lived here for probably 30 years, but 20 of those I commuted between New York and here.
Organizations involved in
Proud chair of the Urban League, the board of Academy Prep, Florida Humanities Council, Poynter Institute, Rabbi Marc Tanenbaum Institute.
What gets you out of bed every day?
Trying to make a difference, remembering that life is a gift and that it really means something when you can make someone else’s life a little better.
Why St. Pete?
By accident, my husband and I met in Boston, his parents lived in St. Petersburg. Because of their ill health, he needed to come back here so we moved our family here. So it was St. Pete and New York for me for many years.
What is one habit that you keep?
Getting out of bed, looking for what I would like to accomplish that day. Always being aware that the day is a gift to accomplish something in.
Who are some people that influence you?
My husband Tony Marcelli was a great friend and influencer. I had a number of mentors at Merrill Lynch when I was with them for 30 years, and leaders in the community have been great influence since.
What is one piece of insight - a book, methodology, practice - that you would share with our readers?
I think something I always remind myself of is that you never fail until you quit, and that you should always bite off big bites.
What is one thing you wish you knew about your work 3 years ago?
How much of it there was to do.
What’s next?
Accomplishing direction and organization and structure in the philanthropic space in St. Petersburg, to actually affect outcomes and unite all of the caregivers into common goals.
