McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation
About Us

Elise is a year-round northern Michigan resident in Harbor Springs enjoying all that each season has to offer. Her family owns the Nub’s Nob ski resort in Harbor Springs and Elise is very involved in the resort’s operations. Elise joined the Foundation Board in 2003 and has held officer positions of secretary, vice chair and chair. Elise also served nine years (3 terms) on the Hospital board. She has served as the President of the Little Harbor Club and has been involved with many organizations in the Detroit area including the Detroit Institute of Art, the Oakland Family Services Advisory Board, and the Women’s National Farm and Garden Assn.- Bloomfield Hills Branch. Elise earned her undergraduate degree from the Univ. of Vermont and her MBA from the Univ. of Michigan.

Ham is an active alumnus of Denison University. After graduation, he served 3 years as an active duty officer in the Navy. In 1965, Ham began his long career in advertising and marketing, which included positions with Chrysler, Campbell-Ewald, and Masco. In 2005, he retired as Vice President of Masco. He and his wife Barbara now spend most of their time at their Burt Lake home — property that has been in Ham’s family since 1910. Ham is active in many northern Michigan organizations and serves as a trustee for the Little Traverse Conservancy, Inland Lakes Educational Foundation, Village of Perry Farm, and Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. Ham joined the MNM Foundation Board in 2009 and was the Chair from 2013 to 2015.

Courtney joined the MNM Foundation board in 2021. Courtney is a Principal member of Crooked Tree Capital Advisors. She is a Certified Financial Planner™ and is a member of the Financial Planning Association. She holds a bachelor's degree from Hobart and William Smith College. “I have a passion for philanthropy and volunteering, and I feel that I have a duty to make an impact within my community. As a small business owner, a parent, and the spouse of a health care worker, I am immersed in the community and am invested its success and future,” says Courtney. “The combination of these things makes the opportunity to advocate for McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation as a Trustee even more meaningful as it directly supports one of the most important resources we have, McLaren Northern Michigan, as well as many programs in the community.” Courtney lives in Petoskey, Michigan with her husband and their two children.

In the summer of 2008, author Mary Ellen Geist was scheduled to speak at the Northern Michigan Regional Hospital Foundation’s annual donor appreciation dinner. When Miriam Hollar heard about the upcoming presentation, she knew she wanted to attend to support her good friend. Since the event was intended for Foundation donors, Ms. Hollar made a gift, knowing little about the Foundation or its work. That evening, Miriam connected with Moon Seagren, who introduced herself as the Foundation’s Chief Development Officer. Over the course of their conversation, the two discussed how the Foundation supports the work of the Hospital. They also realized that Moon had been very close to Miriam’s father, George Hargreaves, when he served on the Boards of the Burns Clinic and Northern Michigan Hospital Foundations. Miriam spent the next several months learning more about the work of the Foundation, and joined the Board as a legacy trustee in May of 2009. Although Ms. Hollar has spent summers on Walloon Lake since her childhood, New Orleans was her permanent home prior to Hurricane Katrina. After the storm, her family relocated to their northern Michigan home. The family still spends extensive time in New Orleans, which is home to the family business. Miriam Hollar received her J.D. from the University of Georgia after attending Kalamazoo College as an undergrad. She continues to work as a self-employed customs and international trade attorney in addition to her community service with the MNM Foundation and the Hestia Women’s Giving Circle. Between work, volunteering and coordinating her children’s activities, Ms. Hollar does save time for a winter indulgence, ski racing! Miriam appreciates the level of cooperation between the Foundation and the Hospital that ensures that the medical services provided in her northern Michigan are the best available and is excited to represent the Walloon Lake community as a Trustee.

Robbie Buhl joined the Foundation board in 2016 following the path of his parents, Fay and Larry, both of whom served on the Foundation board in their lifetimes and were recognized as Jack Clark Award winners. Robbie is a former IndyCar driver with 30 years of experience as a successful corporate and cause-related marketing specialist. Robbie and his brother, Tom, founded Buhl Sport Detroit, a motorsports experience company representing brands that include Buhl Sport Detroit, Racing4Detroit, and Racing For Kids, which has been using motorsports to raise funds for the health care needs of kids for over 20 years. He recently added an advanced training program called Teen Street Skills to foster safe driving skills. "I am honored to continue the legacy of service and commitment established by my parents years ago," said Robbie. "This hospital is important to my family and northern Michigan." Robbie and his wife, Becky, and their children, split their time between their homes in the Ohio area and Harbor Springs.

Steve Cross is a Wealth Management Advisor with Fifth Third Private Bank where he helps his clients by providing solutions in the areas of wealth planning, investment management, estate planning/settlement, trust services and risk management. Steve began his career as a private practice attorney specializing in Estate Planning and Real Estate law. Steve has served on the McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation Board since 2017. “This is our community, and this is our hospital,” said Steve. “I’m committed to helping build the future of health care for my children and future generations.” Steve grew up in Petoskey and, after spending many years away, he returned home and made Petoskey his permanent home with his wife, Amy, and their four children. He is a passionate volunteer and serves on a number of local boards. Steve shares more about the impacts of planned gifts in this short video.

Arthur and his wife Becky make their home in St. Louis, but the Hailand family has been summering in northern Michigan for 3 generations. Mr. Hailand currently works with the ST. Louis chapter of the American Red Cross and a Senior Development Officer. His expertise in fundraising dates back to the early 1990’s. He received hi Bachelors from Lake Forest College and his JD from John Marshall Law School. Mr. Hailand joined the MNM Foundation board in 2016.

Before joining the Rasmussen, Teller, & Christman Accounting Firm, Matt worked at McLaren Northern Michigan as an accountant and as a regional manager in the industry. During that time, he developed a keen appreciation for the work the Foundation performs and clients they serve. In addition, he was the beneficiary of the work hospital foundations perform for their clients. Matt and his wife Katie have twin boys who required additional services before and after birth in Traverse City during 2008. During that time, they stayed in the Munson Manner, a hospitality house subsidized by the Munson Foundation. Although they are a healthy family now, he knows what it is like to spend Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years in the hospital surrounded by caring individuals that you are counting on to help your family member. The support a hospital foundation provides to employees, patients and the community is vital in the mission of providing high quality health care to our community and I consider it a privilege to help in that mission. Matt has a degree from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University in Supply Chain Management and an Accounting Degree from Lake Superior State University. Matt is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and serves on the Finance Committee for McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital Foundation and Treasurer of the Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy. Matt Joined the Foundation Board in 2014.

Matt Krieger has been a member of the McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation Board of Trustees since 2022. Matt founded and was President of a regional chain of successful 24-hour veterinary emergency and critical care hospitals in the Los Angeles and Orange county areas prior to his time in Harbor Springs. Matt is committed to serving his communities. He serves on several boards including Operation Progress, LAPD 77th Street Charitable Foundation, Angels for Animals, Project Blue, and now McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation. He is transitioning his volunteer work to the Harbor Springs area. “Quality medical care is an essential component of a vibrant community. I believe that McLaren Northern Michigan is a quality institution that I would like to support,” said Matt. Matt is the proud husband of wife, Lauren, and father to their three wonderful children, Jacob, Teddy, and Beatrice. They enjoy living in Harbor Springs, with frequent trips to their home in Pasadena, CA.

Although his roots are downstate, Patrick Leavy is well-connected to the communities of northern Michigan. For over 15 years Pat and his wife Lisa have called Petoskey home, and they are members of the Bay Harbor Yacht Club and the Walloon Lake Association. Pat’s work in real estate started at Bay Harbor Properties in 1999, and in 2003 he and Walter Kidd started Kidd & Leavy Real Estate. Lisa is a long-time teacher, and currently teaches language arts at Petoskey Middle School. Their two children Kelly and Patrick both attend St. Francis School. Mr. Leavy’s service to the Northern Michigan Regional Hospital Foundation began in 2008, and he is proud to work with an organization that is so essential to the community. In his own words, “I need this Hospital, and my family needs this Hospital.” He sees the impact that the Hospital has on his clients when choosing a house for purchase: people moving to the area want to be close to quality healthcare, and are happy to know that their needs will be met so close to home. When asked about what makes Northern Michigan Regional Hospital exceptional, Pat points to the quality of the physicians, stating, “I love knowing that some of the best doctors in the country are right here in my town.” In addition to his work for NMRHF, Pat shares his time with St. Francis School and Father Dan’s Food Pantry, and he loves enjoying the beauty of northern Michigan with his family.

Kathie Nihls is a familiar face to our Cheboygan community, and now we are so happy to have her as our newest trustee on the McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation Board. Kathie has been a part of the McLaren Cheboygan Campus Guild since 2008, serving as an officer from 2011-2019. She is very active in the Guild’s fundraising efforts. Kathie brings with her a wealth of knowledge in the medical field, having worked in the Medical Laboratory field for 34 years. She served as a Director of Branch Operations and as a Six Sigma Black Belt with Quest Diagnostics in St. Louis, MO, and holds a Masters of Arts degree in Health Services Management. Kathie lives in Wolverine with her husband, Jim, and two cats. She served as Treasurer for 16 years and is currently a board member for Wildwood Valley Property Owners Association and Club, and an Operation Injured Soldiers/Brave Hearts Estate volunteer. She enjoys traveling in their 5th wheel around the country and visiting grandchildren in Pensacola FL. and St. Louis MO. Kathie joined the MNM Foundation board in 2023.

Jim Riehl, III joined the McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation Board of Trustees in August, 2022. A life-saving experience at McLaren Northern Michigan of a close family member who had a horrific accident inspired him to join the Board. Locally he is the general manager of Jim Riehl’s Friendly Ford of Charlevoix. Dedicated to serving his community, Jim also serves as treasurer of the Metro Detroit Cadillac Dealers Ad Association and Local Marketing Association board and on the St. John’s Ascension Hospital Foundation board. “McLaren Northern Michigan is a great organization that has been instrumental in the community for a long time.” Says Jim, “Having a strong hospital with great medical staff in northern Michigan is very important.” Jim’s family has been visiting northern Michigan throughout his life. He and his wife, Brittany, now split their time between Bay Harbor and Grosse Pointe, and their children attend school in Petoskey. Jim joined the MNM Foundation board in 2022.

Rogan joined our board in 2018 with significant experience as a board member, committee member and volunteer for a number of nonprofit and community organizations in both northern Michigan and her home state of South Carolina. As a high school student, Rogan served as a hospital volunteer for three summers, experiences that fostered a love for our staff and a commitment to continue a family tradition of support that began in the early 1900’s. "A hospital is a vital part of a community. As a longtime supporter, former volunteer and occasional visitor of the hospital, I want what is best for the hospital and the Northern Michigan area. I am honored to have the opportunity to support the hospital so that it can continue to grow in excellence. Rogan, her husband Dunne, and her three young children spend the summers at their northern Michigan home in Harbor Springs.

Recently retired from the University of Illinois, Jim is active in the Bay View Association, Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, and the Top of Michigan Trails Council. He also informally advises the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, the McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation, the C. S. Lewis Festival, and the local YMCA on their development plans and execution. Prior to moving to Petoskey, Jim chaired the University YMCA Board, was a member of Kiwanis Club and the Carle Hospital Foundation. Jim’s educational background (BA, MA, and PhD) and professional experience has included senior management positions in large, complex universities and health care organizations (University of Illinois, Harvard Business School, The Ohio State University, and the Mayo Clinic Foundation). Jim joined the MNM Foundation Board in 2015.

Tracy Souder was approached to join the Foundation Board by David Crouse in 2005. Considering her life-long connection to northern Michigan, and her deep knowledge of and commitment to quality healthcare, joining the Board was a natural choice, and she has since become an important connection to the next generation of philanthropists in our community. Growing up, Tracy spent summers with her family on Walloon Lake, and she met her husband William (Fritz) when they were both in college. After completing her Bachelor’s degree at Michigan State and her Master’s at Wayne State, Tracy pursued a career in Speech-Language Pathology, including a year spent at the Burns Clinic. Tracy was working at the Rehabilitation Institute in Chicago when her twins Fritz and Jack, now eleven, were born. Their family, which also includes daughter Hattie, who turns seven in February, spends every summer at their retreat in Wequetonsing. The Souders feel “so fortunate to live in a community where we have access to such wonderful care.” The immediate access to a quality healthcare facility is essential, especially as a family grows into the next generation. Tracy is grateful that whenever her family needs care, the facility and welcoming staff are so close at hand. During the school year, the Souder Family lives in the Chicago area, where Tracy is deeply involved in many community organizations, serving on the North Shore Country Day School Benefit Board, the Centennial Committee of the Junior League of Chicago, and as co-chair (with her husband Fritz) of the 2011 Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago Gala. Tracy maintains a connection to the Rehabilitation Institute, serving on their Women’s Board, and she is also on the boards of the Shedd Aquarium, and the Winnetka Alliance for Early Childhood.