Board of Directors

Fritz Klingler is founder and president of FK Engineering in Madison Heights, Michigan.  FKE specializes in design for heavy underground construction, serving mostly municipal clients throughout the eastern united states.  Fritz has served on numerous non-profit boards, including the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers (Michigan Section), MSU College of Engineering Advisory Board, MSU Department of Civil Engineering Advisory Board, and others.

Fritz and his wife JoJo live in Troy, MI, and have been honored to be parents of three boys and a girl. Following the death by suicide of their oldest son Nicholas at the age of 17, Fritz and JoJo have become very involved in the cause of suicide education and prevention; and looking forward to the day when suicide is rare.

Justin Urso is a seasoned arts professional with a BFA in Musical Theater from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Baylor University. After a decade-long career as a professional dancer, including work with the Texas Ballet Theater and musical theater productions based out of New York City, Justin transitioned into arts management. He now works in healthcare and higher education helping to ensure students have access to health and well-being resources crucial to their success.

As the son of John and Gail Urso, founders of Kevin’s Song, and brother to Kevin, Justin is deeply committed to advancing mental health initiatives. In his role as Vice-Chair of the Board, he is dedicated to ensuring that future generations have access to critical mental health resources.

La Toya Bond is an acclaimed author of two #1 international best-selling books. Throughout the course of her lifetime, La Toya has won the hearts of many with her profound passion for spreading love. She is the host of “Speaking of Love Podcast”, created in honor of her father who took his own life in a murdersuicide. Since the tragedy, La Toya has become an advocate for mental health and suicide prevention. Her mission is to help save the lives of people who are struggling with mental health challenges, which often leads to suicide. To date, La Toya has recorded over 135 life-changing podcast episodes. On her podcast, she interviews people from all around the world with the sole intention of spreading love. As a minority woman, La Toya is nationally recognized by Black Women In Radio (BWIR) for her outstanding & influential contributions to Black radio culture and digital media around the globe.

Before switching career paths, La Toya worked as a school office administrator for nearly two decades. She was awarded the National Life Changer of The Year Award for positively impacting the lives of her students. La Toya has been featured in several media publications for her advocacy efforts, including Fox 2 News, Macomb Daily News, Michigan Chronicle, Pittsburgh Courier, Oakland Press, Authority Magazine, Detroit Praise Network, Radio One, Grosse Pointe News, Beasley Media, Detroit Public Television (PBS) and more.

La Toya is a Jane of All Trades. She currently works as a legal support professional in her hometown. She believes her occupation as a public servant is a “gift from above.” In 2018, she landed the job of her dreams as a radio co-host for The Michael Van Tull Show. She also operates a highly sought after home bakery business and a creative art business.

La Toya is a respected community leader who believes that spreading love is the secret to her success.

Bill Gough has more than fifteen years of experience in the financial services industry with a particular focus on developing and managing equity portfolios. His experience also includes advising both private and institutional clients across a broad range of asset classes including equities, fixed income, and derivatives. He is a member of our Investment Committee and focuses on equity research, investment selection, and portfolio management.

Bill graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy with a BA in Business Administration. He has attained the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Detroit.

Greg Boudreau joined the Board in 2023 following service as a Facilitator of the Suicide Loss Support Group and as Chair of the Search Committee recruiting an Executive Director.

He is a suicide loss survivor after losing his son Ryan, a US Marine Corps Sargent, in 2017 due to PTSD after his service in Iraq. Providing grief support to those who have lost someone to suicide is a personal mission, as is suicide prevention for veterans.

During his career Greg held positions as SVP Administration and Human Resources for a North American Real Estate company, Director of Operations Managing 2 million sq. ft. of AAA High Rise tower office space with 2 shopping centers, and Airport Parking Operations, he moved to Detroit where he performed Outsource Contract Management with a Global Facilities and Food Services company.

Greg met his wife Estela here and they married in 2007. He assisted her as Facilities and Operations Director of Galeria Mariposa which operated both Windrise Retreat Center in Metamora, and her sculpting studio, retreats, and classes.

Estela and Greg a blended family of 4 daughters and 4 sons, with 18 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. They now live in Grosse Pointe Shores.

Gigi Colombini is a Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of dedicated experience in suicide prevention and mental health advocacy. Since 1990, she has focused her career on supporting individuals and communities affected by suicide. Her extensive background includes serving as a Suicide Hotline Crisis Counselor and Supervisor, facilitating grief support groups for those impacted by suicide loss, and leading suicide prevention initiatives across Southeast Michigan.

In collaboration with the State of Michigan and the University of Michigan, Ms. Colombini developed, implemented, and evaluated the Holding On To Life Youth Suicide Prevention program, a continuity-of-care and family support intervention aimed at enhancing safety and support for high-risk youth after a suicidal crisis. This program has received recognition from notable institutions, including the Michigan Department of Community Health and the National Institute for Mental Health.

Ms. Colombini’s expertise is highly sought after by institutions such as Harvard, Dartmouth, and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, where she has contributed to consulting and strategic program development efforts. As a recognized speaker, Ms. Colombini has delivered impactful presentations in corporate, educational, and community settings, offering insights on suicide prevention, intervention and postvention. She is also the founder of the Institute for Hope and Human Flourishing, an outpatient clinic based in Bloomfield Hills, MI, dedicated to helping individuals heal from suicidality, trauma, grief, depression, and anxiety, empowering them to navigate life’s challenges and build a flourishing life.

Becky has provided strategic planning and business development consulting services for nonprofit and for-profit companies over the past 20 years. Becky is a founding partner of Strategiz, LLC, launched in 2012. Strategiz is focused on assisting organizations in strategic planning, operational coaching, focus group facilitation, and executive coaching and leadership development.

Becky was part of the interim management team for the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority when the Authority was formed in 2009. The interim team developed a comprehensive strategic plan for the Authority; financial operating statements and financial projections; recommendations regarding the future funding of the organization; and establishment of strategic and financial operating initiatives.

Becky has continued to support the DRCFA and TCF Center (formerly Cobo Center) Operations team in a variety of business planning and business management processes including quarterly Balanced Scorecard reports for the DRCFA Board; working with the Board to develop and report on key initiatives (post renovation); the design of a customer satisfaction survey utilizing local college interns; and annual business planning for the TCF Center Operations team. Becky has also provided strategic planning support for several convention centers managed by SMG in other destinations including Mobile, AL; Florence, SC; Pittsburgh, PA; and Montego Bay, Jamaica. Becky, as a partner in The Macke Group, participated in the development of the M-1 Light Rail financial framework and business plan from 2009 through 2013. Becky has worked with and supported the Detroit River Front Conservancy on a variety of projects from business and financial planning to recruitment and HR programming initiatives. Becky was a part of the team that created and implemented the strategic business plan for Wayne State University’s business development project known as TechTown. Becky launched their first entrepreneurial program, the Frontline Accelerator for Science and Technology, to accelerate the commercialization of start-up and early-stage businesses.

Becky developed and taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate business at Wayne State University for over 18 years. Becky mentored students through the DePaul Coleman Entrepreneur Center; taught a continuing education program known as Start-Up Chicago and developed and taught an entrepreneurial class designed for formerly incarcerated individuals to provide the skills and resources necessary for them to develop and launch successful businesses.

Prior to her consulting practice, Becky spent 15 years in global account sales and marketing for AT&T in Boston and Detroit. She has been an active member of her community as a board member, trustee and chairperson for numerous fundraising events. She is currently Board Chair for the Detroit Institute of Children. Becky has an MBA from the University of Texas with a concentration in marketing and a BS from the University of Texas. Becky is an accredited Peer to Peer Facilitator from the Edward Lowe Foundation.

In addition to all of Becky’s accomplishments listed above, she has served as a Consultant to Kevin’s Song for many years, leading two Strategic Planning Committees in developing Kevin’s Song’s strategic plans. Becky and her husband Jack Jensen have attended almost every Starry, Starry Night, and have donated financially to Kevin’s Song as well.

Julie Etheridge is an Executive Producer with over 15 years of experience in commercial, film, and television production. She holds a BA in Communications from Cal State Long Beach and an MFA in Film Production from USC. Julie’s expertise lies in the art of storytelling and her passion for bringing ideas to life. She has led productions ranging from Super Bowl commercials to full-funnel brand campaigns, community-facing philanthropic efforts, and supporting productions for television and film.

While her career is defined by creative leadership and impactful storytelling, Julie’s greatest joy comes from being a mother to her two young children. Balancing the demands of her professional life with the love and commitment she has for her family is central to who she is.

After tragically losing her husband of 14 years to suicide, Julie joins the Board of Directors with a commitment to raise awareness, advocate for mental health, and offer hope to suicide loss survivors. She is dedicated to using her platform to make a positive impact, blending her professional expertise with a deeply personal mission to prevent suicide and support those affected by it.

Seli serves as the Director of Mental Health Operations for TimelyCare. She is a practicing clinician with experience in inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services, crisis intervention, and clinician development. She has also served as the director of psychiatric services for multiple youth residential treatment centers. Before becoming a licensed clinician, she focused her career on human resources and organizational development, servicing aerospace and defense companies. She has also served as a consultant to small and mid-size businesses for human resources, organizational development, employee retention, and diversity best practices. Seli has a BA in Business Management and Public Relations from Coe College and a Master of Counseling from Dallas Baptist University.

Linda Finkel was raised in the Chicago area. Linda received her undergraduate degree in Education from the University of Michigan in 1965, taught for three years before starting a family, and then earned a graduate degree in Guidance and Counseling from Wayne State University. From 1984 to 2004 she served as a member of the Bloomfield Hills Board of Education and was president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer during that time. Other boards on which she has served include the Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Family Service, the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, the Bloomfield Hills Schools Foundation, Kevin’s Song, and the Cancer Thrivers Network (for Jewish Women). Linda is also an active member of the Jewish Women’s Foundation, as well as a dues-paying member of a couple of other organizations. Bob and Linda have five grandchildren – the best part of growing older!

Robert J. Finkel is an attorney with more than 45 years of experience in the field of labor and employment law and a founding member of Finkel Whitefield Selik, which was formed in 1984. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan (B.A.), his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University (J.D.), and his Master of Laws in labor law from New York University (L.L.M.). He has argued cases before various state and federal courts and before numerous state and federal agencies as well as having been appointed and served as a labor arbitrator, mediator and hearing referee. During his years of practice he has negotiated and/or served as labor counsel in hundreds of collective bargaining situations across the county and lectured extensively on the subject of labor and employment law. He has been married to Linda Sonn for 52 years and has two children and five grandchildren. Some of his hobbies are travel, golf and the imbibition of scotch whiskey.

Susan Francis is a native of Michigan and a graduate of Central Michigan University with a degree in Education. Now retired, she spent her professional career working with preschoolers and elementary children in various Michigan cities. As a member of Central United Methodist Church in Detroit, she is involved with the peace and justice community. She is on the steering committee for the Swords Into Plowshares Centerand Gallery. Susan is a member of the Beaumont Grosse Pointe Hospital Assistance League and is a buyer for their Gift Shop. She is also a member of the Beaumont’s Patient and Family Advisory Council. It is her hope that through Kevin’s Song educators will be provided tools they can use to recognize and help children who are in need of mental services.

Sarah Gough grew up in the Grosse Pointe area and currently resides there as a stay-at-home mother of three children. Sarah chairs the Kevin’s Song Education Task Force. The Education Task Force supports and facilitates suicide awareness and prevention programs in Grosse Pointe Schools by engaging parents and community as well as engaging with schools systems throughout Metro Detroit. Sarah and her husband Bill are chairing the 3rd annual Kevin’s Song Starry, Starry Night Fundraiser in Spring if 2019. Sarah is a lifelong friend of the Urso family and grew up with Kevin, Brian, and Justin.

Kristi LeBeau-Cline, LPC, is the Clinical Director of Wentworth and Associates, PC (outpatient mental health), and the founder and lead trainer of LeBeau Love, PLLC, EMDR Training & Consulting. Kristi is also an outpatient psychotherapist at Wentworth and Associates, PC, that specializes in trauma treatments and has done so there for almost 18 years.

Kristi’s passion for trauma work, support of her boss and mentor, Lawrence T. Wentworth, PhD, and her belief in EMDR Therapy and congruent innovations, led her to start LeBeau Love, PLLC, EMDR Training and Consulting in 2024. It is here her spirit truly shines, as she can fulfill an early dream of teaching and sharing with an audience that has the power to bring about big, beautiful change. She has since been inspired to make an EMDR music album, is in development phase of a bilateral therapy rocking chair and is always working on developing her own treatment approach trainings.

Kristi is married to her high school sweetheart, Jeremy, and together they share two teenage boys and their new baby pug. She enjoys camping all over Michigan with her family in the summer, seeing their amazing extended families, and spending time with friends she could not live without!

She is no stranger to Kevin’s Song, serving on the Planning Committee for the past couple of years, and has even attended the annual conference as a session co-speaker in the past.

She hopes that as a board member she can offer Kevin’s Song her drive, creativity, passion, and dedication to improving mental health practices.

Tom McGovern is a retired United States Administrative Law Judge and former State of Michigan Administrative Law Judge. A Twenty three year general law practitioner specializing in civil and criminal litigation. Permanent neutral panelist 31st Circuit Court Mediation Tribunal. Veteran US Air Force (61 – 65), BA Western Michigan University (68), Juris Doctorate University of Detroit Law School (71). Tom is married to Kathleen McGovern and enjoys spending time with his three children and six grandchildren.

Kathey McGovern has more than 25 years of experience as an interior design and home renovation professional. She has managed significant interior design projects in Michigan, Arizona, Colorado, California, New Hampshire, Maine, Illinois and Florida. She is passionate about the work Kevin’s Song brings to our communities.

Leo Nouhan is principal attorney of Leo Nouhan and Associates, a Metro Detroit law practice – specializing in a variety of health care issues including insurance, provider reimbursement and contracting issues, employee benefits and commercial litigation. As a former in-house attorney for Blue Cross Blue Shield of MI, he is well versed in health insurance matters regarding mental health treatment, medical necessity criteria and the obstacles to coverage. In addition to his legal career, Mr. Nouhan is a Board Member of Kevin’s Song and acts as the coordinator of the Kevin’s Song Conference on Suicide which is hosted annually at the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth Michigan.

Mr. Nouhan is a frequent speaker on health care issues and also presents to various groups on suicide prevention and the need for more collaboration among non-profits, the mental health provider community and state and national policy makers about the need for more resources and better access to suicide prevention and mental health services.

Kevin F. O’Shea is a senior partner at The Miller Law Firm in Rochester, Michigan specializing in complex commercial litigation.

Kevin is a lifelong resident of the Detroit area. After attending the University of Detroit Jesuit High School, he received his B.A. from Northwestern University. Kevin graduated from Harvard Law School with honors in 1987. He has successfully tried cases in a number of federal and state courts and in arbitrations across the United States.

Kevin has been an active member of the nonprofit community. He is a founding Board member and past Chairman of the Detroit Urban Debate League, the local chapter of a national organization that establishes and supports academic debate programs in underserved schools. Kevin is a member of the Board of Trustees of On My Own of Michigan, a local nonprofit organization that assists adults with cognitive impairments achieve independence. After the death of his younger son, Conall, by suicide in 2018, he determined to become active in the suicide prevention community. Kevin’s Song has provided him with that opportunity.
Kevin has two adult children and lives in Birmingham.

Javon Reese is a Suicide Prevention Coordinator at Black Family Development, Inc. in Detroit, Michigan. He also serves as a consultation partner with Tribe Consulting, LLC. He attended Eastern Michigan University on a full ride scholarship to play football. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in Chemistry. He is currently completing a dual master’s degree from Wayne State University, in social work and public health. 

Suicide affects everyone. Javon has set his focus on suicide prevention and awareness, mental health and student athletes, and learning about food equity. He is trained to facilitate evidence-based suicide prevention trainings/workshops; QPR, safeTALK, and ASIST.

“Even if you may not experience thoughts of suicide firsthand, the impact is still there. There are prevention skills that should be taught indiscriminately. Those skills can be used to save lives. Suicide prevention is now and there are many choices that are evidence based. Let’s start the conversation now.”

John R. Urso, along with his wife, Gail, is a co-founder of Kevin’s song, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to educating the community on the causes and prevention of suicide. The organization was founded to honor Kevin, John and Gail’s oldest son, who died by suicide in March 2013. John and Gail have two other sons: Brian who resides in Naples, Florida and Justin who, with his wife Carrie, resides in Fort Worth, Texas.

Upon graduating from law school, John joined the University of Detroit School of Law’s Urban Law Program and subsequently became the Director of the Urban Law Clinic, a free legal aid clinic that allowed law students to represent indigent clients under attorney supervision. During his tenure at the University of Detroit Law School, John joined the law faculty. He was elected to the position of Judge of the Municipal Court of Grosse Pointe Park.

John is now engaged in the private practice of law in the Metropolitan Detroit area.

Gail Urso has lived and worked in the Metropolitan Detroit area for most of her life.

When their oldest son Kevin died of suicide in 2013 at the age of 41, Gail and her husband John, co-founded Kevin’s Song to educate people about the prevalence of suicide in our society, the fact that the stigma associated with mental illness prevents people from getting the help they need, and the preventive measures available to prevent suicides. She is also gratified that Kevin’s Song offers hope and healing to those who have experienced the loss of a loved one by suicide.

Gail was honored in April with the 2023 American Association of Suicidology Loss Survivor Award.

Gail and John have a son Brian who resides in Naples, FL and a son Justin who lives with his wife Carrie, daughter Evie, and son Judson in Fort Worth, Texas.

Patrick Watson is a retired educator who most recently served as the Superintendent of Bloomfield Hills School District. Prior to joining Bloomfield Hills, he spent 25 years in the West Bloomfield School District as a coach, teacher, athletic director, assistant principal, and principal. Over the last ten years Mr. Watson has been heavily involved in promoting Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention in schools at a local and national level.