Meet the Team
Amie Marzen
Founder/ PresidentMadeline’s Mom, Amie Marzen is a passionate advocate, community leader, and nonprofit professional dedicated to supporting children, families, and individuals navigating grief and healing. Madeline’s Mission was founded by her own grief journey after losing her 4 year old daughter, Madeline to an aggressive brain tumor. Through her work with Madeline’s Mission and other community initiatives, Amie brings compassion, creativity, and a deep commitment to creating spaces of hope, connection, and support. With a background in program development, advocacy, and community engagement, she is driven by a mission to turn loss into meaningful impact and to help others feel seen, supported, and empowered. She is a mom of three with a big heart for nonprofit work and volunteers as much as she possibly can.
Melissa Chretien
Vice PresidentMelissa Chretien, MPH, BSN, RN, OCN, LMT, OMT, CLT, BCTMB, is a compassionate healthcare professional and integrative wellness practitioner with extensive experience in oncology nursing, massage therapy, lymphedema therapy, and holistic health. As founder of Nurture Massage Therapy & Wellness, Melissa is dedicated to creating safe, healing spaces that empower individuals through compassionate, evidence-based, person-centered care. Her background spans nursing, public health, trauma-informed care, and therapeutic bodywork, with a strong commitment to supporting individuals and families navigating illness, grief, and healing. Melissa also actively volunteers with several nonprofit organizations, bringing her expertise and heart-centered approach to community wellness initiatives.
Caroline Beals
TreasurerMadeline’s Auntie, Caroline Beals, Ph.D., OTR/L, CHSE, is Program Director and Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of New England. With a background in adult physical rehabilitation, neuro-trauma, and brain injury recovery, Caroline brings extensive clinical, academic, and leadership experience to her work. She is deeply committed to interprofessional education, mentorship, and advancing person-centered care through teaching, research, and community engagement. Caroline has also served in leadership and advocacy roles with the Maine Occupational Therapy Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association, supporting the growth and advancement of the occupational therapy profession.
Kim Paradee
SecretaryKim is a dedicated labor and delivery nurse, advocate, and mother who is passionate about supporting families through some of life’s most vulnerable and meaningful moments. Drawing from both her professional experience and personal journey navigating the challenges of maternity leave and parenthood, Kim brings compassion, resilience, and a strong commitment to advocacy for mothers, children, and family wellness. Her voice and lived experience continue to inspire meaningful conversations around maternal health, workplace equity, and community support for families.
Allison Thompson
Board MemberAllison Thompson is a dedicated trauma therapist, consultant, and supervisor with a heart for service. With over 25 years in the nonprofit sector, Allison’s journey with Madeline’s Mission: Rising Hope Through Healing began with a simple hope: to support and connect families that have lost their precious children.
Allison’s career has spanned roles in program development, advocacy, fundraising, and various leadership roles at organizations. Currently she is working in private practice and supporting clients and other therapists as well as being on other boards.
Allison’s passion for Madeline’s Mission: Rising Hope Through Healing stems from watching many clients, friends, and family process the loss of loved ones and seeing the need to gather for connection, support, and community through grief. She also knew Madeline and her family and knows that the light and heart that emulated from her continues to shine through her namesake mission. She knows the impact that dedicated nonprofits can have, and she’s committed to ensuring Madeline’s Mission: Rising Hope Through Healing reaches even more families in need.
When she’s not advocating for grieving families, you can find Allison spending lots of time with her two daughters and husband, traveling, or curled up with a good book.
Allison welcomes conversations about how we can better serve our grief community and is so grateful for all those that have supported Madeline’s Mission: Rising Hope Through Healing.
Amy Kiger
Board MemberAmy Kiger is a devoted mother of three, nurse, and massage therapist with a passion for caring for others through both clinical and holistic approaches to wellness. With experience supporting individuals and families through life’s challenges and transitions, Amy brings compassion, empathy, and a nurturing spirit to everything she does. Her dedication to helping others heal—physically, emotionally, and mentally—reflects her deep commitment to community, connection, and compassionate care.
Meghan Collier
Board MemberMeghan Collier (she/her), a licensed clinical social worker, yoga therapist, grief specialist, coffee enthusiast, and mom to two wild little boys and one sweet pup. I specialize in working with people experiencing grief & loss, trauma, and have a particular passion for working with new postpartum parents, pregnant people, people experiencing fertility challenges, miscarriage, stillbirth, baby & child loss, NICU experiences, TFMR, and abortion. I am trained in perinatal mental health through Postpartum Support International and am eligible for my PMH-C.