Our Board

Dan Martin

Dan Martin joined FernCare as Executive Director in February 2020.  Dan is a graduate of Michigan State University.  Prior to joining FernCare, Dan has held several leadership roles in healthcare, non-profit organizations and municipal government.

Barbara Winter

Barbara Winter is a senior analyst for the Oakland County Board of Commissioner. She worked as a legislative director for State Representative Robert Wittenberg (D-Huntington Woods) and Ellen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods). She is an elected member of the Hazel Park District Library Board. She holds two masters degrees in public policy and in political science. In addition to FernCare, she volunteers for Hazel Park Holiday Basket. Barbara immigrated to the United States from the Czech Republic in 2000 and bought a house in Hazel Park in 2003, where she lives with her husband Piotr, dog Gordy and cat Simon.

Dennis Whittie

Dennis Whittie is an Attorney in private practice that focuses on indigent legal services concentrating in criminal defense.  Additionally, he is the Emergency Management Coordinator at the Sterling Heights Campus of the Henry Ford Health System.  He is a former police officer and licensed Advanced Emergency Medical Technician.  He lives in Ferndale and graduated from Ferndale High School. 

Dennis' community service includes previously serving a partial term as a council member on the Ferndale City Council.  Prior to this, he was a member of the Ferndale Fiscal Review Advisory Committee, the Budget Review Committee, and volunteered at various community events including FernCare fundraisers and Ferndale Pride.  
 
He holds a juris doctor degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School,  a master’s degree in public administration from Wayne State University, a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in political science from Wayne State University, and a criminal justice degree and liberal arts degree from Oakland Community College.

Kristie Lee

Kristie Lee is the Executive Director of Lee Business Solutions LLC, specializing in the management of health care facilities.  She lives in Ferndale and graduated from Birmingham Groves High School.  She holds her Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Maths, Earth Space and Atmosphere sciences from Hampton University.  She is also a former fully licensed broker, holding her Series 66 and Series 7 licensing.  When she is not volunteering with FernCare, she can be found enjoying the outdoors with her dog, Leo.

Sheryl Johnson

Sheryl Johnson is the Director of Finance for the City of Ferndale.  Sheryl has an undergraduate degree in Accounting and a master’s degree in management, both from Walsh College.  Sheryl is a member of the Michigan Government Finance Officers Association.  In addition to spending time with her husband Kevin and son Hunter, Sheryl enjoys bowling and photography.

Iuliana Keyes

Iuliana Keyes has been in the industry for the last 18 years and became an advisor over a decade ago. Armed with a Law Degree from Romania, she originally wanted to pursue a law career in the US, but her professional career channeled her passion from law to helping others plan for their financial goals. With that in mind, Iuliana got her MBA in Finance from Walsh College (MI) in 2008 and continued pursuing educational endeavors to broaden and enrich her knowledge. Iuliana joined Thomas Financial Group, LLC in 2004 and became a partner in 2014. She lives in Detroit with her husband and 2 children.

Karen Unholz

Karen Unholz is the Director of Quality Interventions at Molina Healthcare of Michigan. A registered nurse with 20+ years of experience, Karen has been a volunteer in the FernCare Clinic lab for 10 years. In her spare time, Karen enjoys volunteering for a variety of local causes with her spouse, Richard, teenager, Finn, and her mother, Ruth. Karen is also a dedicated Detroit Lions’ fan, and she can often be found at Ford Field during the football season.

Randall Caballero

Randy worked for Ford Motor companies, earning a journeyman’s card and later became the leader of one of Ford’s development groups. He was a FernCare patient and brings that unique perspective to the board.

Irenita Goedert

Irenita is a realtor with Red Door Realty and has been active in the Metro Detroit community for over 25 years. She has a Bachelors of Science in criminal justice from Wayne State University. In addition to FernCare, she is a member of the Detroit Artists Market, Japanese American Citizens League, Fraternal Order of Police #130 and both the Ferndale and Royal Oak Chambers of Commerce. She and her husband, Chuck, have been married for 30 years and have three daughters. In her spare time, Irenita enjoys reading, gardening and watching British murder mysteries.

Melinda Cupples

Mindy Cupples has spent the past 31 years working for Ford Motor Company, in the area of Labor Relations. She has her Master’s in Human Resources from Central Michigan University. Mindy became a Ferndale resident in 2005, and immediately started getting engaged with community activities. From 2008 -2011, she was involved with the Ferndale Community Foundation and sat on the Board of Directors. Starting in 2012, she was appointed to the Downtown Development Authority, serving both as a Board Member and an Executive Board Member until 2020 when her term limit expired. In her spare time Mindy enjoys staying active and participating in sports like Golf and Hockey.

LaTrisha Lake

LaTrisha Lake is a Project Consultant at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and participates in an array of projects, including working to ensure BCBSM/BCN products are eligible to be sold on the Marketplace. She volunteers as the co-chair of BrightBlue Employee Resource Network who’s focus is to help integrate people with disabilities or chronic illnesses into the BCBSM workforce and the community at large for individuals with diverse skill-sets and capabilities.  She lives in Redford Charter Township and is a graduate of Albion College with a double major in History and Music.  She’s passionate about Autism Acceptance, inclusion and diversity, and walking for health. “Diversity is asking me to the dance. Inclusion is asking me to dance, Integration is asking me to help choose the music.”