People

Mari’s background is in communications where she spent nine years working in media sales for newspaper, radio and magazine groups.  However, she found her passion when she transferred her communication background into corporate training and leadership development 40 years ago.

Mari is the author of the book, Come Home Alive, published in 2021, which chronicles the first cancer journey for her husband, Chris.  “We want to inspire, encourage, and help support others through the peaks and valleys—those awful ups and down—to understand that through the power of knowing how to work together, pray, believe, be grateful and thankful and yes, to ask for and expect a miracle, that you too can come home alive,” says Martin.

Mari is the first recipient of the Mari Martin Award presented annually by the Lakeshore Alliance Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, as well as the first recipient of the Kolbe Professional Award presented by Kolbe Corp in 2013.  In 2021 she received The Founder’s Award presented by Kathy Kolbe for Sharing the Passion to Make a Difference in the World.  She has served on several non-profit and faith-based Boards of Directors in the Holland, MI community where she has lived since 1983.

Mari has a passion for long distance running and has trained for and run in eight marathons since 2006.  She is an avid reader, golf enthusiast and football fan.  She enjoys spending time with her retired husband Chris, who brags about his improved golf game.  They have three adult sons, two daughters-in-law, and welcome all opportunities to spend time with their granddaughter.

Mary Catherine is a graduate of Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi School of Law. After school, she spent over a decade living in Chicago where she acquired a wide range of work experience, from legal to the restaurant industry.

Mary Catherine enjoys cooking, making stained glass and college football. She and her husband Jonathan are raising two children and one puppy in Jenison, Michigan.