Marjolein Steenbergen and her husband have been happily married for 26 years and have three children together. Their story is one of a solid family deeply committed to significant humanitarian efforts. Marjolein previously served as the chairperson of the organizing committee for UNICEF’s largest annual gala in New York, an event that attracts over 900 attendees. Both she and her husband have been honored by UNICEF for their advocacy work for children. Her husband has also been the president of UNICEF USA for the past four years while continuing his entrepreneurial ventures in the United States.
Originally from the Netherlands, the couple currently resides in New York but has lived in Slovakia and Hong Kong. When it comes to vacationing, they have a consistent favorite: their summer home in the charming village of Sestri Levante in Italy. This picturesque locale is rich in palaces, churches, and noble villas, where the Genuese nobility once vacationed in houses adorned with trompe-l’oeil.
Sestri Levante is beautifully situated on a peninsula between two seas, the Baia del Silenzio and the Baia delle Favole, creating a postcard-perfect landscape that has become the couple’s retreat. In the center of the Baia delle Favole, they designed their modern black-and-white home, ‘Casa Bianca,’ which is tastefully decorated with stunning works of art.
“This place is very close to Portofino, which we adore. You can rent a little boat, enjoy a fabulous dinner in the square, and on the other side, we have the Cinque Terre,” Marjolein expressed.
Their humanitarian journey began during their time in Hong Kong when they started volunteering at an orphanage in a local school annually. As time went on, this became a cherished family tradition during their December vacations. They even built a dining room for orphaned monks in Myanmar and supported a school in Thailand with a hydroponic farm and science room. Their involvement has extended to countless projects in Cambodia and Laos, where they provided necessary facilities for children with disabilities.
Marjolein and her family became actively involved with UNICEF when they moved to the United States in 2010, engaging in volunteer work like packing winter supplies for Syrian refugees. She has participated in the gala committee for the last 12 years, even chairing it for three years. Her husband’s leadership at UNICEF USA during this time has allowed them to visit numerous countries while working to raise awareness for children’s issues. In 2019, they were recognized with the UNICEF Spirit of Compassion Award for their advocacy for child welfare.
Sestri Levante has become their summer sanctuary, a place they discovered when they moved to Bratislava for her husband’s job in 2000. They had been searching for a vacation spot and, recalling that Marjolein’s parents had visited Sestri Levante 60 years prior, they decided to explore it. They quickly fell in love with the quaint fishing village and have returned every summer for the past 25 years, regardless of their location and residence.
The area is special for many reasons, notably its proximity to Portofino and the stunning Cinque Terre, known for their colorful fishing villages perched on hillsides. Marjolein enjoys exploring Pietrasanta, a creative epicenter home to artists and galleries where she finds inspiration and connection.
Their home, built in the late 16th century, originally functioned as a boat storage facility and watchtower. It has a rich history, having been a summer residence for noble families. The couple bought the house in 2018, recognizing its historic charm yet envisioning modern comforts. After extensive renovations, they revitalized it into a contemporary living space featuring a cohesive design throughout, executed under the guidance of their friend Carlo Masanta.
The house boasts care in its renovation details and design choices. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a stunning lobby with Nero Marquina marble flooring and artistically crafted resin walls by a friend, Alessandro Gambuzza. The home’s appeal lies in its luminosity, courtesy of large windows and high ceilings, giving a sense of spaciousness.
The living room acts as a gallery filled with artwork, including pieces by prominent artists like Luca Pignatelli and Fabio Viale. Guests see high ceilings with exposed beams, and a grand chandelier from Murano adds elegance to the atmosphere.
There are four private bedrooms, each designed distinctly with modern baths, showcasing a blend of elegance and comfort. The couple’s journey into art collection began in Slovakia when they started to engage in charitable work and began acquiring art pieces from various artists across the globe, reflecting their travels and experiences.
Marjolein and her family continue to make their summer retreat in Sestri Levante a cherished part of their lives, where they blend relaxation with their commitment to humanitarian efforts and art appreciation.
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