Leadership

Magee was appointed as MARL’s Executive Director in 2015 after serving as Associate Director for three years. Before her time at MARL, Magee held development and special event roles at Michigan Humane and also spent time in the advertising industry with McCann-Erikson working on various national and global accounts across numerous industries. Magee is honored to have led MARL through a pivotal period of significant growth with highlights that include doubling the number of animals impacted annually, bringing the ‘Different Breed of Shelter’ concept to life, and the design, development, and funding of MARL’s state-of-the-art facility. Magee inherently believes that it is the strength and dedication of the team that drives MARL’s success, and she looks forward to working with this talented group to further the mission and accomplish great things for the animals. Magee is a graduate of Central Michigan University. She and her husband have two children and three MARL dogs at home.

Kathleen Craig
Shelter Manager

Kathleen joined MARL in 2015 as an Animal Care Technician while pursuing a degree in Education, quickly finding her passion working hands-on with MARL’s canine residents. Over the years, she has become a driving force behind the evolution of MARL’s animal care practices, with a particular focus on behavioral health and enrichment. She has led significant improvements to MARL’s intake and behavioral evaluation processes, ensuring that each animal receives thoughtful, individualized care from the moment they arrive. She was a key player in the development of MARL’s enrichment program, transforming it into a dynamic initiative that supports animals’ mental and emotional well-being while in the shelter environment. Kathleen is passionate about training and mentoring the next generation of animal welfare professionals. Her work strengthens not only the lives of the animals in MARL’s care, but also the shelter’s culture of learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement. At home, Kathleen has one dog and two cats.

Lena has been a dedicated member of the MARL team for more than a decade. She began her career at MARL overseeing the movement of animals from intake through adoption, developing a strong foundation in shelter flow and animal care. Over time, her role naturally expanded into medical support and operations, where she became instrumental in improving processes across departments. A consistent and positive force for change, Lena is passionate about staying informed on emerging trends in animal welfare and rescue, and she actively works to apply best practices that improve both animal outcomes and operational efficiency. Her thoughtful, systems-driven mindset continues to play a key role in shaping MARL into the organization it is today. Outside of MARL, Lena’s home is shared with five dogs and two cats, all happily adopted from MARL.

Audrey joined MARL in 2015 after graduating from Michigan State University and has since played a key role in shaping how the organization connects with its community. She leads MARL’s external communications strategy, with a strong focus on storytelling, brand growth, and community engagement. Audrey led the charge in building MARL’s social media presence from the ground up, transforming it into a highly recognized online platform. Under her leadership, she has spearheaded the development and expansion of multiple programs and campaigns, from concept through execution, ensuring they align with MARL’s mission and evolving industry best practices. Her work bridges creativity and strategy, strengthening MARL’s visibility while deepening trust with supporters. Outside of work, Audrey shares her home with two dogs and one cat, all proud MARL alumni.

Steve Engel is a retired not-for-profit executive. Prior to his role as CEO at Tamarack Camps, he held various executive positions in the not-for-profit space in St. Louis, Missouri. Steve’s love for dogs led him to volunteer for MARL in 2020, and in 2021 he served as a Board Advisor focused on the development committee. He joined the Board in January 2022 and serves as the development committee chair. Steve is grateful to be able to combine his passion for animals with his many years of not-for-profit leadership skills to help benefit MARL. Steve and his wife Tracie enjoy volunteering in the community, traveling, and spending time with their children, Robert and Courtney.

John Bebes, CPA, is a recently retired partner from Plante Moran. For John’s almost 38 years at the firm, he was involved in serving not-for-profit organizations, including being the firm’s not-for-profit industry group leader for 10 years. John joined the MARL board and finance committee in 2025. John has a love for animals and has been a multiple cat owner over the years. He is excited to bring his not-for-profit financial knowledge to the organization and assist MARL in continuing its mission of providing dogs and cats with the highest quality of life through services including rescue, medical care, short- and long-term sanctuary, and adoption.

Jenny Heinrich is a retired physical therapist who primarily worked with severely multiply impaired students throughout all levels of the public school system. Her first-ever charitable contributions were made to MARL more than 50 years ago, and she initially joined the Board of Directors in 2001. Over the decades she has facilitated dozens of adoptions of MARL dogs and cats to friends and family, regularly volunteered at the shelter, and continually worked to support MARL’s mission and ongoing growth and development.

Robin Wright is a retired Ford Motor Company Engineering Executive where she led powertrain, body engineering, and supplier quality organizations. Prior to joining Ford, she served in the U.S. Air Force. With a passion for at-risk and homeless animals, she is a long-time volunteer at MARL. Robin joined the MARL Board in 2018 and led the Building Committee for several years as MARL built new animal care and adoption facilities. She was elected to lead the Board of Directors, and from 2021-2025 served as Board President. As an immediate past president, Robin continues to serve as a Board Director with a focus on strategy and governance and continues to support major infrastructure projects. Robin is grateful to be able to apply her experience to help further MARL’s mission and to grow its impact on the animals and surrounding communities. Robin and her family love the outdoors and spending time in northern Michigan with their MARL rescue dogs.

As a licensed veterinary technician for 40 years, Jody has been involved with animals her entire life. She also owns and operates a dog walking and training business. Every year, she travels to Negril Jamaica to volunteer at a spay/neuter clinic. Jody joined the MARL Board in 2015. She was drawn to MARL’s mission, and more specifically, to its focus on “the quality of the wait”.“I am so proud to be involved with the growth of this organization and the potential of our amazing facility to provide exceptional care to so many animals.”

Patty Cox is an entrepreneur, marketing consultant and adjunct professor who joined the MARL Board in 2019. She and her family share their rural home with a large variety of companions including, a dog, cats, chickens, a guinea pig and a snake. Her horse—not unlike her college aged son – lives “off campus”. Patty and her dog, Jasper, are a nationally certified therapy dog team who enjoy bringing comfort and smiles to others in the metro Detroit area. She’s grateful to have the opportunity to bring her experience to work for MARL.

Beth is a retired banking executive. She spent over 40 years in the consumer finance and banking industry and is now enjoying her retirement. She has served on MARL’s board since 2017 and was the co-chair of MARL’s annual Yappy Hour fundraising event for 5 years. She is active in other charitable organizations including the Jewish Federation of Detroit and Sarasota, several equal rights and gay rights agencies, and other animal welfare organizations. Beth now enjoys wintering in Florida with her husband, Jeff, and her two dogs, Connor and Bentley, traveling and spending time with friends and family. She hopes to continue to make a difference at MARL and in the causes in which she believes.

Together, since 1987, Laura Fenton and her husband Patrick developed and operated a national childcare chain. Laura’s expertise is in creative design, development and the execution of commercial construction projects. Laura continues to work with the family’s development company and eagerly jumped in with the construction team at MARL to contribute to the new facilities finishing touches. She joined the Board in 2019 and is excited to use her creative talents to assist with MARL event planning and continue to enhance the MARL facility and programs. Laura and her husband Patrick raised three sons and two rescue dogs. In addition to their dedication to rescue and adoption of man’s best friend, the family has several rescued goats and pigs that live on their hobby farm in Marshall Michigan.

Barb worked for 30+ years in the automotive industry as an HR and OD professional and since retirement has worked as a consultant and executive coach for several organizations. Barb became a volunteer at MARL, following her partner Rick’s involvement, who became a volunteer Veterinarian for MARL in 2016 following retirement from his practice. Barb responded to Rick’s request for support at MARL by making surgical packs, folding laundry, and offering support on HR matters. Her role evolved to becoming the Chair of the HR Committee, a member of the Strategy Committee and joining the Board in 2023. Barb and Rick enjoy spending time on the Great Lakes with their friends, family, and dogs. They also enjoy the many farm animals who are treated by Rick’s large animal practice. The care provided to the animals at MARL is a great source of enrichment to both of their lives.

Jim Issner is a retired Engineering Executive from the automotive industry. After working in industry for 38 years, Jim entered the not-for-profit space and worked primarily in the area of financial and organizational restructuring for troubled non-profits. With a love of four-legged friends, Jim volunteered as a dog walker at MARL and soon after as an advisor to the Finance Committee. The position of Treasurer opened in 2021, and Jim stepped in, handling the Treasurer role until January 1, 2026. He continues as a member of the Finance Committee. Jim is grateful to be in a position to help further MARL’s mission and apply his experience in a financially healthy and well-run organization, residing in a beautiful new facility. “My only issue is a constant desire to bring one or more of the dogs home.”

Justin Klamerus, MD, MMM is trained as a medical oncologist but has been involved in health care leadership in Michigan since returning here from medical training in Columbus, Ohio and Baltimore, Maryland. Justin currently serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of McLaren Health Care. Prior to this role he served as the President of the Karmanos Cancer Hospital and Network. Justin is a dog lover, through and through. He and his partner Kevin Faster currently have three dogs – Bodhi, Samson and Woodford and reside in Bloomfield Hills. Justin has been involved in MARL as a donor for many years. First connected by a board member, he was looking for a local animal rescue organization to make a memorial gift for his late husband Brian. Brian loved and nurtured animals of every species and it was so important for Justin to establish an organization to continue his legacy and work protecting animals and supporting causes important to animal welfare.

Kristi is the Vice President of Legal Affairs for McLaren Health Care, advising the health system’s senior management team and its operating entities and business units on a broad range of legal matters related to contracts, corporate affiliations, physician services, governance, and regulatory matters. She started in private practice in Detroit and has spent much of her career in the healthcare industry. Kristi has served on several Boards including, regional chapters of the American Red Cross, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Chamber of Commerce, and she brings extensive experience in contracts, corporate compliance, and nonprofit governance to MARL, with her board election in 2023. Kristi previously worked with the Midland County Humane Society and is eager to bring her experience and love of animals to MARL. She and her husband, Jeff, enjoy traveling and spending time with their daughter, Sophi, and their dogs, Frankie and Ivy.

Kimberly Whipple is a homemaker and community volunteer. She graduated from Oakland University with a BA in Communications, and worked in public affairs at Ford Motor Company. Kim has been a community volunteer for many years, and has hosted numerous fundraising events for Detroit Public Television, United Way, Michigan Animal Rescue League, Detroit Country Day School, and many others. Kim’s main passion is the Michigan Animal Rescue league, where she has been a board member since 2017. She got involved with MARL very early in life — her mother, Pat Hoffiz, was a former president of MARL. Kim has been a major presence in fundraising for the League’s wonderful new animal shelter in Pontiac. She resides in Bloomfield Hills Michigan, with her husband Ken, a retired Ford and CMS Energy executive.