Meet The Team

Amy Kinney

Amy has been the director since March 2023 and previously served for several years as the Board President. She has a background in healthcare, higher education, and ministry. Amy has a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and Master of Science in Leadership from South University and a Master of Practical Theology from Winebrenner Theological Seminary. Amy serves as Pastor for St. John’s United Church of Christ in Fostoria. 

Mary Jaquot

Mary is a resident of Bowling Green and has been with First Step since 2003. She is a mother of three and grandmother of 7. She has been on the board for H.O.P.E. in the past and a member of Kiwanis. Mary is also a CASA for Wood County and has been for seven years. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education. Mary is a member of Dayspring Church and when not working, enjoys painting, reading, crafting, and spending time with family.

Kelly Smith

Kelly is the Victim’s Advocate at First Step. She has worked at First Step for 3 years. Kelly answers hot line calls, accompanies clients to court, assists clients with navigating and using community resources, helps to maintain our free store, and keeps important inventory of our needs at First Step. Kelly graduated from Owens Community College in 2008 with an Associate’s Degree of Science in Medical Assisting. She is the co-Treasurer, bus driver, and greeter at Fostoria Baptist Church.

Elyse Cramer

Elyse graduated from Mohawk high school, then went on to Bowling Green State University where she received a B.A. in psychology and sociology. Elyse also has her M.A. in Marriage & Family counseling from Wright State University and a Master of Divinity from Winebrenner Theological Seminary. Elyse is a Licensed Clinical Counselor in the state of Ohio. She provides counseling to adult clients of abuse right here at First Step. Thanks to a grant from the State of Ohio, all services provided by Elyse are at no charge to the client.

Marrisa Orzechowski

Marrisa first began working with First Step as the Board Vice President. Marrisa moved into the position as the Anti-Human Trafficking Project Coordinator in April 2024. Marrisa is currently the Executive Director of Hope's Landing, a non-profit that employs survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence. Marrisa graduated from Bowling Green State University with her bachelors, and completed her master's of Science in Criminal Justice from BGSU, specializing in victims and offenders. Marrisa has previous experience working with the Cocoon in Bowling Green, Open Arms in Findlay, and Sisters in Shelter in Tiffin. When not working, Marrisa enjoys being outside, doing crafts, and going on adventures with her dog and fiancé. 

Gracie

Gracie is a yellow lab who is fully certified as a therapy dog through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

Her handler is our ED Amy Kinney. Gracie brings joy throughout our shelter, and is not just for our clients, but also for our staff. The staff of DV shelters are often exposed to vicarious trauma and Gracie seems to know when to seek out staff who are struggling.

Sally McIntire

Sally began volunteering at First Step over ten years ago and has been a Shelter Monitor for nine years. She is retired from Bethesda Care Center as a head cook where she worked for over 30 years. She loves spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She likes playing cards and participates in various volunteer activities in the community.  

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Lydia Bauler

Lydia is a Wyandot county native and aspiring social worker with a passion for storytelling as healing and empowerment. She earned a B.A. in English Literature from Berea College (Berea, KY) and has recently returned to college to pursue a career pivot into human services and mental health. She has had an eclectic assortment of positions from reporting at the local Review Times to working as an assistant in non-profits and higher education institutions on the East Coast. She is excited to have returned to her "homeplace" and get involved in the communities where she grew up.  

Susan Wren

Ms. Susan Wren is the Regional Rental Assistance Manager at Great Lakes Community Action Partnership. She has worked at GLCAP for 10 years and in that role works with agency sub-contractors, data quality and compliance, coordinated entry, training and emergency COVID programs. She is lead of the Homeless Planning Region 2 and the Coordinated Entry Liaison for Region 2. Ms. Wren graduated from Bowling Green State University with a BA in Psychology. Susan has been on the board of First Step since 2019 and is currently serving as Interim President.

Scott Harlow

Scott has served on the Board of Trustees as Treasurer of First Step since 2011. He has assisted in various Finance and Management capacities and has taken a more active role in some areas of daily operations in recent years. Scott received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1984 and practiced in Public Accounting for eight years. Since 1992, he has served as Chief Financial Officer for a distributing company in Fostoria.

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Rebecca Terry

Becky is a nursing instructor at Terra State Community College and a staff nurse at Good Shepherd Home. Her nursing practice experiences include public health, acute care, long term care, mental health, obstetrics, and pediatrics. She is involved at Grace Community Church – Children’s Ministry in Fremont, Ohio. Mrs. Terry graduated from University of Toledo with Bachelor of Science in Nursing in Consortium with Medical College of Ohio. She earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Northern Kentucky University.

Pam Morral

Pam currently serves as the Resource Coordinator for Wyandot County United Way of North Central Ohio. Pam has experience, as an entrepreneur, in retail/wholesale and the in the non-profit world. She currently serves Christian Education Board and Consistory at Trinity United Church of Christ in Upper Sandusky. She serves on the board for Carey Chamber of Commerce. She is mother of two sons and grandmother of three. She enjoys time with her grandchildren, flower gardening, and time with family.

Dawn Peace

Bio coming soon...

Jennifer Croy

Bio coming soon...

Linda Lopez-Fouts

Bio coming soon...

Jill Filliater

Bio coming soon...