Questions & Answers with community faces

Margaret “Margie” [McDonald] DeVine (58) grew up in San Diego and graduated from Crawford Senior High School in 1984. She then traveled all the way across the country to Vermont to attend Middlebury College, where she graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature with a focus on writing.  

She found that her first job out of college was in the medical field, which she had almost gone into herself, but in a completely different capacity—originally, DeVine had planned to study biology in college with plans for medical school, before her big pivot into English. DeVine’s maternal grandfather had been a pediatrician and her mom was a trained nurse, giving DeVine some previous exposure to the healthcare world. 

So when DeVine moved to Chicago right after college graduation and was interviewing for jobs in communications, she found herself working as a “temp” at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, but this turned into a full-time position in the hospital’s foundation, where she joined the team that was responsible for raising funds for patient care, research, and education activities.  

What had started as a temporary position turned into an 18-year legacy at the hospital; DeVine held six different positions and worked on three major fundraising campaigns before leaving the hospital in late 2005 as a senior vice president. She next became vice president of external affairs for the Chicago Botanic Garden. However, wanting more balance and flexibility in her work life, she ultimately decided to work for herself; by 2007, DeVine had founded her own company, DeVine Consulting LLC, which helps nonprofits with leadership coaching, fundraising strategies, and recruiting. Over the past 18 years, she has worked with more than 80 nonprofits and helped to place more than 150 executives atop organizations     

While at the hospital, a then-27-year-old Margie married her college boyfriend, John DeVine (now 59), and together they had three children: Jack (28), Mike (26), and Kathleen Kelley (24). The DeVines had been vacationing up here for decades; John originally brought Margie to Northern Michigan in 1984, when they were first dating, because his family has deep ties to Crystal Lake dating back to the 1920s. 

But the pandemic changed things for a lot of people, including the DeVines. Since much of Margie’s and John’s work could be done online, the DeVines made the move to Benzie County from Chicago in 2022. At that time, she also decided to get her certification to teach yoga, an intensive six-month experience at Yen Yoga and Fitness in Traverse City. In 2023, DeVine became further involved in community work in Frankfort and is a founding member of Kindred Waters Collective in Beulah.

Continuing with our interview series on impactful Benzie County characters, The Betsie Current caught up with DeVine as she was taking work calls in the early-summer sun.

The Betsie Current: What made you want to work in the nonprofit world?

Margie DeVine: My first job out of college was at the Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. At the time, I was interested in healthcare and kind of fell in love with the idea of helping the doctors, nurses, and patient care providers that benefited from our hard work as fundraisers. My original assignment was going to be three weeks, but I ended up staying for 18 years. I had another big job before founding my own consulting company that allows me to support nonprofit work but also be more present and available, especially as a mother. 

Current: What does a typical day of work look like for you? 

DeVine: As a consultant to nonprofits, I am on a lot of phone calls and Zoom meetings; once or twice a month, I travel to meet with my clients in person. Currently, I am coaching a new CEO in her role overseeing a nonprofit that uplifts and empowers children’s well-being, education, and happiness through competitive sports and education. I am also working with the leadership of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation on an initiative called Press Forward, a bipartisan effort to support local news media across the country. We call the supporters of Press Forward the “Coalition of the Enthusiastic”—I love that phrase and count myself among the group! I also always have a search or two going; I have had good success with my recruiting business over the years, having led many searches for executives to lead various organizations. Overall, I am helping my clients to make good decisions while supporting their emotional well-being as they go through their various challenges and as they make progress. Mine is behind-the-scenes work, and I find it incredibly fulfilling.  

Current: How have you seen your work grow and change? How do you hope that it will continue to grow? What is next?

DeVine: I was just telling a client the other day about how, in the early years of DeVine Consulting, I worked in the image of what I thought a “consultant” was supposed to be. It was tiring and moderately helpful to my clients. Then, I realized that—to be more effective and for it to be sustainable—I had to use my own voice and words, even if they were not right every time. That was an improvement. In more recent years, I have been taking my counsel to a whole new level by speaking my truth and sharing what I see, as my heart knows and feels it. When you practice feeling emotions in your body, naming them, and acting on those feelings, it can open a whole new world of potential. It takes courage, and I am finding this approach is resonating with my clients. I do not know what is next; I am trying to live in the present. I do know, though, that I hope to do more coaching and work with organizations that impact Michigan.

Current: What kinds of things do you do for fun when you are not working? What other things are you involved with? How did you get involved with them, and why are you passionate about these causes?

DeVine: Let’s see. For fun, I like to move, so pretty much every day, I will do something active. Whether it is walking the hills, riding my bike, lifting weights, or practicing yoga, I am going to incorporate one or more of these activities into my day. I am also an avid home-renovator, with no fewer than six Pinterest boards going at one time—“Figg Barn,” “Garden,” “Primary Bathroom,” etc. I am constantly thinking of how to improve our  personal spaces, so that they are more comfortable and accommodating. I cannot remember a time when I was not planning or executing some kind of house project. Beyond that, I have gotten involved with a few local causes that I believe in wholeheartedly. My engagement started a few years ago during the pandemic, when I was invited to provide pro bono consulting to the Benzie Conservation District, as it was creating its first philanthropy program. I continue to be involved, admire the Conservation staff, and am excited to begin work on a planning committee to consider new or additional space for them to grow in their mission. I feel like, if given the opportunity, the Benzie Conservation District will flourish, and I believe this move will be the first step toward that end. I am also on the board of directors of the Frankfort Area Community Land Trust [FACLT]. I first started attending their public meetings as a community member, because lack of affordable housing is a huge issue for our community. The land-trust model is proving to be a smart approach to offering our workforce the option to own their home and to live near their work. I think of the healthcare staff, the teachers, those who work in our restaurants and stores, people who work in construction, the list goes on. It is hard to be able to afford a home in most places in our country, and it is especially difficult in our community, which is so popular with seasonal homeowners. FACLT is completing its third and fourth homes soon and has big plans for the coming years. So, stay tuned, because how we locally solve the housing crisis that we are also seeing nationally matters to all of us. Additionally, I am providing minimal but earnest support for the Benzie Wellness and Aquatic Center that is in its planning phase. And more recently, I joined the 100+ Women Who Care organization; this group meets four times a year to hear from local nonprofits doing great work and needing funds. Each meeting, three nonprofits are chosen at random to present, and we all vote for one to support. We commingle our individual dollars into one major gift, so that we can have a greater impact together. We end up giving almost $20,000 to the winning organization, because there are now more than 100 women in the group, which means four Benzie nonprofits are receiving a major gift from us every year. It is a simple but innovative model, and I am proud to be a member; any woman can join. Speaking of “being a member,” I will save my passion project for last; have you heard about the Kindred Waters Collective in Beulah?  

Current: Yes, please explain the Kindred Waters Collective for our readers; how did the idea come about? Why are you passionate about KWC? What do you think it brings to our area that was not already here?

DeVine: KWC is a group of local practitioners who have come together to provide the community with yoga, trauma-informed yoga, yoga nidra, somatic movement, meditation, breathwork, massage, cranio-sacral therapy, spinal flow therapy, and more. We are working out of three beautiful spaces in Beulah, next to the post office. As the first and only yoga-plus-healing-arts collective in our area that shares space, KWC offers one-stop shopping for mind-body work, and by practicing with KWC, our students and clients are supporting the 14 small business owners who make up the collective. The idea of establishing a collective must be credited to Christina Ryan-Stoltz. I had met Christina more than six years ago, when I went to her for healing body work, following surgery. We connected immediately and stayed in touch over the years. When I moved here full time in 2022, I reached out to see if she had interest in sharing a yoga studio with me and my friend Becky Martin. With a 25-year yoga practice under my belt, I was missing my yoga studio—and yoga community—that I had left behind in Chicago; shout out to Om on the Range Yoga Studio in Lakeview. Christina pointed out to me that we have a lot of outstanding practitioners in the area, and she was interested in talking, but she was not feeling the studio model herself. Meanwhile, I was encouraged to become certified to teach yoga and did so in Traverse City, which only fortified my resolve that a yoga-plus center could be a meaningful addition to our community. The time in Traverse also served to expand my Northern Michigan yoga connections; I continued to talk with anyone and everyone who would listen about my hope to create a yoga-plus center, and then shortly after graduating with my teaching certification, it all came together—like in a week’s time—late last fall. Christina found the space in Beulah, and she proposed that we try a new model of working together; a model that allows each member to own and run her own business and share space and other resources. I fell in love with the idea immediately and quickly asked a beloved yoga teacher and healer, Karen Storm-Rohms, if she would be interested, and thankfully she was! From there, it grew into what it is today. We are now a collective of 14 practitioners, including two sets of sisters (Christina Ryan-Stoltz and Jenn Ryan; Sarah Monarca and Christy Cushard), one mother-daughter combination (myself and our daughter, Kelley), and others, some of whom have long histories and deep connections to each other. Why am I passionate about yoga and the healing arts? Well, from personal experience, I can say that I am not sure where I would be without them. There is still so much to learn and to practice on this journey that we call life. Things have changed recently, and it is becoming increasingly normal and accepted to talk about our mental health alongside our physical health. The fact is that life can be hard and there are tools available to help us feel better, perform at a higher level, make deeper personal connections, enjoy things more, and achieve more happiness. Who doesn’t want to feel better and be happier? Yoga and the healing arts offer a way.

Current: So what do you see your role being at Kindred Waters Collective?

DeVine: My role continues to be as a “convener,” and I help with the financials and administration. I also like to be involved in the aesthetics of the yoga studio, which I really should let go of, but as I have mentioned, I love a good design project. Everyone involved does something for the good of the collective; we work in smaller groups and come together as one large group about every two weeks to talk things over. Everyone has one vote, and financial decisions generally need to have 100-percent buy-in. I think what is cool about KWC is that we are caring, compassionate, and experienced in yoga and the healing arts, and we are offering this via a model that is rare in these parts and, quite frankly, in most other places, too. Someone said to me once that she doubted we would be successful, because we do not have one person “in charge” and because we are not “motivated primarily by money.” That was a sad moment, but I understand where she might be coming from, because our model is different—and different can be hard to accept. Most traditional yoga studios operate with an owner, and the individual teachers will be considered “employees” and be paid by the hour or they are required to pay a cut of their class, something like 20 percent, to the yoga studio owner. But at KWC, we are a true “collective,” in that we each pay a set fee per month, but then we get to keep whatever we individually make from each class. All of our dues come together to pay our rent, plus any updates we want to the building, like we painted our studio and installed new beautiful bamboo flooring. We are already feeling our successes and cannot wait to invite more people to come for the experience. I can say with 100-percent certainty that time on your mat in our beautiful studio or in one of the bodywork rooms with the amazing practitioners of KWC will only serve to improve your physical and mental health and overall well-being. Our shared value statement is: “We are in this for all of us.” I welcome the entire community to come be part of the “us.” 

Current: How many classes per week are you currently teaching at Kindred Waters Collective? 

DeVine: We are putting the final touches on our summer teaching schedule as I’m answering these questions, so check out our website for all the details. KWC is planning to offer more than 30 classes, seven days a week, in our yoga studio alone. Plus we have two bodywork rooms, where we will be offering full days of services and sessions. I am so excited to be doing a lot of yoga this summer and supporting the businesses of my fellow collective members. For my part—well actually between the two of us—my daughter, Kelley, and I are going to be teaching five classes. Kelley trained for her 500 -our certification in Nepal in 2023; she teaches “Heart Flow” and “Happy Flow” through our yoga company, Sunshine Yoga, which we named in memory of my mom, Judy. Born and raised in Southern California, Judy enjoyed her days at the beach and made an effort to gather the entire family beachside every year. Judy had a sunny outlook on life. She rarely dwelled on the negative and saw possibility in every person she met. When we celebrated her life a year ago this month, hundreds of people came, and person after person told us how she had motivated them and changed their life for the better. It is fitting that we chose Sunshine Yoga, because being in the sun can make people feel better, have more energy, even glow, which is what our classes will do for you!

Current: How have you seen Benzie County/Northern Michigan change since you first came up here? What are your hopes for the area in the future? 

DeVine: I first came to Benzie County when I was 18 years old, so 40 years ago. My boyfriend at the time, who is now my husband, invited me to meet his Crystal Lake friends and become acquainted with an area that kind of means everything to him. I remember falling in love with the people and this place way back then, and together we hoped and dreamed that one day we would be able to spend more time here. It was the pandemic that allowed us to consider living here year round, because my husband started working from home and was granted that option post-pandemic, also. We feel fortunate to have found a house that works for us, our three grown children, and our animals. Changes over the past 40 years? I think Main Street Frankfort has become much more bustling and a destination for folks from all over. The area has gotten a lot of national attention for its extraordinary beauty and national parks. It feels like there is a lot of building going on, mainly second-plus homes that have extended off the water to the woods, meadows, farms, etc. Maybe this is true everywhere, but there are not many existing homes on the market and really very little that is affordable. What does all this mean? We have a window of opportunity to protect our natural resources, build responsibly, and continue to work to ensure that those who live here year round have access to all of the things that make up a healthy community: good hospitals, complementary medicine and the healing arts, transportation, education, housing, healthy food, culture, services, etc. I hope that our eyes are wide open and that we continue to work together toward this end.

Current: What are the biggest challenges and rewards of living/working in Benzie County, and in Northern Michigan, in general? What is the best or most rewarding part of your job?

DeVine: Our small size works to our advantage, because we are so interconnected as a community. But because we are a resort town, it can be challenging. Now that I am a “year-rounder,” I am more sensitive to how this seasonality can create extra pressure on people and their businesses during the high season. Hats off to all who seem to manage the ebb and flow with dignity and grace. For my part, the most rewarding part of working—whether it is consulting, volunteering, or engaging with KWC—is the people. So many wonderful people.

Current: What could Northern Michigan do to attract more and/or retain talented people in this area? What else does Benzie County/Northern Michigan need?

DeVine: I think the talent is here. We have so many creative and intelligent people living within the region. To retain them, I go back to making sure that we are providing the infrastructure they deserve of a healthy, vibrant community. Also, I feel strongly that Benzie County residents can and should continue to work to protect the environment—we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and we should not take it for granted. In many parts of the country, it is too late to roll back the development of protected, precious land. Increased development is probably a reality, but we still have an opportunity here in Benzie to protect our natural resources, build responsibly, and preserve the character of the region. I try to show up at meetings when it feels like folks are exploiting a situation for their own benefit over the needs of the community; I sign petitions when I disagree with a proposal. We do need to pay attention.What we have here is beyond comparison, and if we do not take care of it, who will?  

Current: What are your favorite local events and activities? Any favorite dining, recreation, hiking spots? What are you doing this time of year?

DeVine: I am a big fan of the local music scene—thanks Tim Jones, Aaron Dye, among others—the Oliver Art Center, The Garden Theater, Stormcloud Brewing Company in Frankfort, the Roadhouse in Benzonia, and Five Shores Brewing in Beulah. For local art, I adore Peggy Hawley and the studios of Melanie Parke and Richard Kooyman. For festivals, my favorite is the Earthwork Harvest Gathering in September in Lake City. When it comes to food, I love Lost Lake Farm all year long and cannot get enough of the new vegetarian offerings of Cold Creek Farm on Main Street in Frankfort and the seasonal bowls by Up North Fields in Benzonia. For shopping, really, I love anyone who has the courage to open a shop and keep it open. Shout out to Shelter 336, Crystal Lake Adventure Sports, and Betsie Bay Furniture in Frankfort for letting me browse as much as I do! We have so many great hiking spots, but if I had to choose, I would say Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve and Elberta beach. This time of year, I am trying to get outside as much as possible to make the most of the longer days. I absolutely love warm temperatures and sunshine! I feel especially grateful for the adjacency to woods, water, and beaches. My outside time is often spent in the garden, walking trails, or even finding creative ways to be outside and take work calls. My energy increases this time of year, so I tend to get in a lot of activities every day. I also love to plan, so my days include looking at the calendar for times when our adult kids and our friends will visit this summer, organizing gatherings with friends, working on home-improvement projects, that kind of thing. As a working mom, I have learned over the years that it helps to get out ahead with logistics, so that life can flow more easily for everyone. I also just completed a big project, which was cleaning out my childhood home in San Diego with my three sisters. We worked cohesively to get it all done, and I feel good about the whole process. Showing up with good intentions, staying present, and being heart-forward are all things that my yoga practice has taught me and were essential to getting through this big life challenge. Very relieved to be able to honor our parents’ lives by being thoughtful with our approach and working together. 

Current: What does your perfect summer day look like in Benzie County? How would you spend it?

DeVine: I wake up with my eight-year-old rescue cat, Grace, purring at my side. Neither she nor our five-year-old Golden Retriever have done anything mischievous overnight. I enjoy a sunrise from my front porch with family, as well as the occasional hummingbird. Pretty quickly, I get moving and walk the trail down to the water’s edge for a swim and time on the dock or the beach. I run into lovely people for conversation, enjoy some healthy vegan food, and get in an afternoon yoga practice. Possibly we have been invited to do something social at night, and we always go, because our philosophy now that we are living in Benzie County is to say “yes”—yes to coming over, yes to staying longer, yes to helping, yes to caring, yes to all of it.

Learn more about DeVine Consulting by visiting DeVineConsulting-Midwest.com online. Kindred Waters Collective is located at 244 Benzie Boulevard in Beulah, next to the Post Office. For more information about the Kindred Waters Collective, visit KindredWatersCollective.com online, “Kindred Waters Collective” on Facebook, and @kindred.waters on Instagram.

Featured Photo Caption: Margie DeVine (58) grew up in San Diego, attended college in Vermont, and spent most of her career in Chicago before moving during the pandemic to Benzie County, where her family had been vacationing for decades. In just a few short years here, she has really dug in to contribute—helping out various local nonprofits and co-founding the Kindred Waters Collective in Beulah. Photo courtesy of Darcy Sherman/Sassafras Photography