Meet the Team
No one should face life's hardest moments alone. These are the leaders who make sure they don't have to, bringing vision, compassion, and commitment to every family Fund a Life serves.
Leadership Team
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Shevalla Kramer
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH AND SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS
Emily Whitlow
FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mark Howell
Mark Howell founded Fund a Life after experiencing firsthand the power of community support while navigating life-threatening cancer diagnoses. During that time, he and his family were surrounded by people who showed up in meaningful and practical ways. That experience shaped his belief that no one should face life's hardest moments alone.
In 2017, Mark launched Fund a Life to provide timely financial support and care to individuals and families facing unexpected hardship. The organization exists to meet real needs in real time, helping restore stability, dignity, and hope when it is needed most.
As Founder and CEO, Mark is the driving force behind Fund a Life's vision, growth, and impact, bringing people together, building trust, and ensuring the mission is carried forward with clarity, consistency, and purpose.
Shevalla Kramer serves as Chief Operating Officer of Fund a Life, where she leads the day-to-day execution of the organization's mission and ensures its work is carried out with intention, and integrity.
Drawn to Fund a Life by a desire to be part of something grounded in purpose, Shevalla quickly recognized the impact of meeting people in real time during life's most difficult moments. Her belief in authenticity and creating space for people to show up as they are continues to shape how she approaches the work.
As COO, Shevalla is responsible for driving operations, overseeing initiatives, and strengthening the systems that allow Fund a Life to grow while remaining deeply connected to the community it serves. Her leadership brings structure, connection, and momentum to the organization.
Emily Whitlow serves as Director of Youth and School Partnerships at Fund a Life, where she focuses on building strong, intentional connections between students, and schools.
Her connection to Fund a Life began as a student at Brighton High School through Senior Survivor, where she experienced firsthand what it looks like when a community comes together to support others. That experience stayed with her and continues to shape how she approaches this work today.
In her role, Emily works closely with schools and student leaders to create opportunities for meaningful involvement, helping students understand their role in supporting others and contributing to something larger than themselves. She brings a steady, thoughtful presence, approaching the work with care and a strong sense of responsibility to those it serves.
DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY GROWTH
Rachel Omell
Rachel Omell serves as Director of Partnerships and Community Growth at Fund a Life, where she focuses on expanding community engagement while building strong, lasting partnerships that deepen the organization’s impact.
An entrepreneur at heart, Rachel first connected with Fund a Life through her business, Beyond Balloon Co., bringing creativity and energy to the mission as a volunteer. What began as a partnership quickly grew into something more, as it became clear she had a natural ability to connect people and turn ideas into real, community-driven experiences.
Rachel is known for her creativity, bold thinking, and thoughtful approach. She brings a strong presence and a natural ability to build relationships that are genuine and lasting, helping Fund a Life grow through trusted partnerships and deeper community connection.
Executive Vision Council
The Executive Vision Council serves as a small, focused group of leaders who help guide the direction and long term strength of Fund a Life. This group is deeply connected to the organization’s vision and purpose, providing thoughtful oversight while ensuring the mission remains clear and protected as the work continues to grow.
The Council plays a key role in governance and fiduciary responsibility, offering strategic guidance, approving direction, and holding accountability at the highest level. Members also serve as mentors and trusted advisors, helping evaluate progress, strengthen leadership, and support sound decision making.
At its core, the Executive Vision Council exists to ensure Fund a Life continues to operate with integrity, clarity, and a strong commitment to the people it serves.
Business Owner & Community Leader
Ed Koss
Ed Koss serves on the Board of Fund a Life, bringing a grounded, faith driven approach to leadership and a deep commitment to serving others. His connection to the organization is rooted in a belief in showing up for people during difficult seasons and helping create support systems that are both meaningful and lasting.
As a business owner and leader, Ed brings practical judgment and consistency to the board.
Ed is actively involved in his local churches and participates in mission work in Jamaica. He believes strongly in helping others build confidence and step into their full potential, and carries that mindset into his role with Fund a Life.
Mitch Howell
Mitch Howell serves on the Board of Fund a Life, bringing both personal connection and strategic leadership to the organization. A Brighton native, he walked alongside his brother Mark during his cancer diagnoses and fight, witnessing the hardship and the strength of a community showing up. That experience shaped his commitment to Fund a Life and his role in helping carry the mission forward.
As an enterprise business and sales leader, Mitch brings a strong business lens to the board, helping guide the organization's growth with intention and discipline. He understands how to build, scale, and position organizations for long-term success, and carries that perspective into his role with Fund a Life.
Maggie Gibbons
Maggie Gibbons serves on the Board of Fund a Life, bringing strong nonprofit leadership experience to the organization. Having grown up knowing the Howell family, she witnessed the community rally around them during Mark's fight for his life. That experience shaped her desire to be part of work that shows up for others in real and immediate ways.
A straight shooter by nature, Maggie brings clarity and perspective to the work, helping ensure the organization continues to grow with intention while staying grounded in its purpose. She serves as Director of Peer to Peer at Make A Wish America, and her experience at both the national and local level brings valuable insight to the continued growth and direction of Fund a Life.
Stephanie Barnhill
Stephanie Barnhill Stephanie serves on the Board of Fund a Life, bringing years of experience working alongside nonprofit organizations. Her work has focused on building relationships with teams, helping them get organized and grow in ways that support their mission.
She brings a clear and steady approach to the board, helping Fund a Life stay focused, aligned, and moving forward in a way that makes sense.
Stephanie cares deeply about the work being done and the people behind it.
Enterprise Business & Sales Leader
Director of Peer-to-Peer, Make-A-Wish America
Business Owner, Non Profit Consultant
Leadership Luminary Council
The Luminary Council is a distinguished circle of leaders who use their influence, credibility, and generosity to help Fund a Life grow expanding awareness, opening doors, and championing the mission locally, statewide, and beyond. Members serve as trusted ambassadors who help translate long-term vision into real-world momentum.
COO, Nurture Family Dental
Dustin Kuras
Dustin serves as Chair of the Luminary Council, bringing his strengths as a connector, strategic thinker, and leader to help guide its growth. He has a natural ability to bring people together, create clarity around vision, and build momentum toward something bigger than any one person. His leadership style is grounded, thoughtful, and rooted in faith, helping shape a council that leads with both purpose and unity.
As Chief Operating Officer of Nurture Family Dental, Dustin brings a strong business lens that supports the continued development of Fund a Life. A graduate of the University of Michigan Dearborn, he leads with integrity and a genuine care for people, driven by a desire to build something meaningful for the next generation.
LUMINARY COUNCIL MEMBER
Mike Cracchiolo
Mike Cracchiolo serves on the Luminary Council of Fund a Life, bringing a lifelong commitment to service and a disciplined, approach to leadership. A second-generation police officer, Mike spent over 20 years in law enforcement, retiring as a Captain, where he saw firsthand how one person stepping in at the right time can change the direction of a life.
That understanding became personal when Mike underwent open heart surgery for a rare condition. Through that experience, he witnessed the difference support from others makes in difficult seasons, and his connection to Fund a Life is rooted in a belief in showing up when it matters most. He now serves as Chief Revenue Officer for a local design build firm, bringing the same clarity and follow-through to everything he does.
LUMINARY COUNCIL MEMBER
Adrienne Knack
Adrienne Knack serves on the Luminary Council of Fund a Life, bringing a strong sense of responsibility and a measured approach to the work. Having grown up in Brighton, she has witnessed Mark’s journey and the growth of Fund a Life, and was honored to be asked to be part of it.
Adrienne approaches this work with intention, placing importance on thoughtful decision making and the responsibility that comes with supporting others. An attorney focused on business law, estate planning, and probate, she has been part of the Livingston County community for over 30 years and remains actively involved in local organizations and service.
Chief Revenue Officer, Design Build Firm
Attorney, Business Law & Estate Planning
CHAIR, LUMINARY COUNCIL
Interested in becoming a Luminary?
The Luminary Council is intentionally selective, built for leaders who believe generosity changes lives and are willing to use their influence to help hope travel further than it ever has before. If that sounds like you, we'd love to connect.