Todd Krieger
Chief Executive Officer
313.261.9859  
Send email

Todd graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Political Science, and then went on to Boston University where he earned his law degree and Master’s degree in Mass Communications. Following graduation, Todd pursued a career in marketing and public relations executing campaigns for organizations such as Microsoft, Quicken Loans/Rocket Mortgage and others in the technology, healthcare, automotive and real estate sectors. Todd left the for-profit world in 2013 to join Jewish Federation which is the major instrument of Jewish philanthropy and engagement in the Detroit Metropolitan area, one of the largest charitable organizations in the state of Michigan, and one of the largest Federations in North America. While there he led planning and agency relations. Today, he leads First Tee – Greater as CEO, where he is responsible for the overall management of the organization and works with the team to ensure the program is providing the most impact possible, using the game of golf to teach kids vital life skills and traits.

Heather Rupp
Director of Operations
313.820.3362
Send email

Heather Rupp currently serves as the Operations Director for First Tee – Greater Detroit and has been with the organization since 2015 where she began as a coach. As a coach, she completed two levels of the First Tee Coach Training and led several programming sites. During a transition period with the Chapter, she served in various operating roles while continuing to coach and maintain relationships with First Tee families.

In her role as Operations Director at First Tee – Greater Detroit, Heather’s responsibilities include oversight for registration; Chapter coach onboarding and engagement and planning and execution of fundraising events, including First Tee’s partnership with the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Heather graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in Emotional Impairment. She has taught elementary and secondary special education before working in the non-profit sector. She currently resides in the Metro Detroit area with her husband, two children, and Goldendoodle.  

John Page
Program Director
PGA Associate
313.261.9886
Send email

John graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Kinesiology. After college, he discovered the game of golf, and what quickly was considered a hobby turned into a lifelong passion. He started volunteering for First Tee – Greater Detroit in 2015 as an Assistant Coach. He is now a Level 4 coach, a certified chapter trainer within the First Tee Network, and plans to become a National First Tee Trainer. In 2020, he became the Program Director of First Tee – Greater Detroit. The following year, he started the PGA’s Professional Golf Management program and is currently a PGA Associate, working to complete his coursework to become a Class A PGA member. John is also TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) Certified. Outside of First Tee – Greater Detroit, John enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, and watching the Red Wings!

Grace Zimmerman
Detroit Area Program Coordinator
LPGA Apprentice
810.417.1644
Send email

Grace Zimmerman is the Detroit Area Program Coordinator for First Tee – Greater Detroit. She has been with the team since November 2022. Grace grew up in Almont, Michigan and graduated from Almont High School. After high school, Grace went on to play Division 1 college golf at Cleveland State University and then transferred to Wayne State University in 2020. She graduated cum laude from Wayne State University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and a minor in Sports Management. During her time at Wayne State, she was made a captain her junior and senior years of the women’s golf team. Her love for the game of golf inspired her to contribute to teaching the youth in all aspects of the sport! Grace has been playing golf since she was 9 years old, after her dad introduced her to the game.  She had the opportunity to intern at First Tee – Greater Charleston in the summer of 2022. There, Grace led the outreach program where she traveled to community centers throughout the city of Charleston to teach the First Tee curriculum to underprivileged children. Grace is currently an LPGA apprentice and working to become a LPGA Class A member.