Lee Marshall’s life story is one of resilience, vision, and devotion to a mission bigger than herself.

Born into foster care and adopted at the age of two, she experienced firsthand the life-changing power of a forever family. That foundation not only shaped her path but gave her a calling: to be a voice for children who are still waiting for families of their own.

Today, through her leadership of the Kids to Love Foundation and its growing programs, Marshall has transformed that calling into a force of hope for more than 300,000 foster children. “First and foremost, my family is my greatest accomplishment,” she said.

“I am proud of founding and growing Kids to Love. What started as a calling in my heart has grown into an organization that has impacted the lives of more than 300-thousand children in foster care. From building homes for girls aging out of the system, to creating workforce development programs, to launching our new mental wellness center with a trauma therapy focus, I’m proud that we’ve not only met needs but created opportunities for children and families to heal and thrive. It’s not about the buildings or the programs — it’s about the lives forever changed.”

A career shaped by voice and vision

Marshall’s professional journey began in television news, where she spent 20 years working her way up in the industry and earning three Emmy Awards. As an anchor, she used her platform to spotlight children in need through her “Forever Families” segment.

The weekly series helped connect more than 200 children with permanent homes.

But Marshall always sensed her voice was meant for something beyond the newsroom.

“As a foster child myself, I knew I wanted to use my voice to make a difference, but God had a bigger plan,” she said.

In 2004, she stepped away from television to launch Kids to Love, a nonprofit dedicated to finding families for foster children and meeting their immediate needs.

Building programs of hope

The vision quickly grew. In 2015, Marshall signed off from the anchor desk to open the Kids to Love Center in Huntsville. A year later, she launched KTECH, a workforce training initiative equipping foster youth, veterans, and underserved community members with skills in mechatronics, robotics, and soldering. “Our work is vital because it doesn’t just provide short-term relief; it builds long-term solutions — education, housing, therapy, and pathways to stability,” Marshall explained. “When we invest in these children, we’re not just changing their future, we’re shaping the future of our entire state.”

Recognizing that many children are never adopted, Marshall opened Davidson Farms in 2017, a safe and loving home for girls in foster care. The 10,000-square-foot residence, set on more than 10 acres in Madison County, is grounded in the principles of Faith, Hope, and Love. And in recent years, the foundation expanded further, adding a mental wellness center with a trauma therapy focus to help children heal from the scars of their past.

Anchored in faith and resilience

Marshall’s leadership has earned national and international recognition, including being named one of the “500 Most Influential CEOs in the World” and honored as an “Angel in Adoption” by Congress. Yet her work is rooted not in titles but in faith. “It’s been a journey of faith, grit, and relentless commitment to a vision bigger than myself,” she said.

She has also pursued her education in service of her mission. In addition to her bachelor’s degree in Communications from Murray State University, Marshall earned master’s degrees in social work and became a trauma therapist. This blend of personal experience, professional training, and media expertise allows her to lead with both compassion and strategy.

Inspired by strong women

Marshall is quick to acknowledge the women who have shaped her path. “I’ve been blessed to have women in my life who embody strength and resilience,” she shared. “The late Dr. Dorothy Davidson was an amazing mentor. My daughters, Ella and Emma, inspire me daily — they remind me that the work I do isn’t just for the children in foster care, it’s for the generations to come. And I’m continually encouraged by women I meet through this work — foster moms, advocates, and leaders who step into the gap and make a difference where it’s needed most.”

Her words reflect the same spirit she pours into Kids to Love: a recognition that lasting impact comes not from one individual, but from a community of leaders willing to stand in the gap.

Leadership defined by courage and compassion

When asked about the qualities of a great leader, Marshall’s answer is simple yet profound.

“I believe a great leader has vision and courage — the ability to see what others can’t yet see and the willingness to take risks to bring it to life. Compassion is equally important — leadership is about people, not positions. And finally, resilience. You can’t build something meaningful without setbacks, but great leaders press forward, adapt, and keep their eyes on the mission.”

Her own career embodies that philosophy.

Time and again, she has chosen the harder path — leaving a successful television career to start a nonprofit, building programs from the ground up, and pushing for systemic solutions when temporary fixes might have been easier.

A broader voice for advocacy

Beyond Kids to Love, Marshall is a respected motivational speaker and accomplished singer-songwriter, with two CDs and performances across the globe. She also lends her voice to pressing social issues, including school safety, where she has urged lawmakers to take stronger action.

Whether on stage, in song, or at the Capitol, Marshall’s message is consistent: every child deserves to be seen, heard, and given the chance to thrive.

Why she is a Woman of Impact

Lee Marshall’s life and work embody the very essence of impact. From her earliest days in foster care to her decades of advocacy, she has transformed personal hardship into a lifelong mission of hope.

Through Kids to Love, she has not only changed individual lives but also reshaped systems, ensuring children have access to families, education, housing, therapy, and opportunity.

She leads with courage, faith, and resilience, guided by a deep compassion for those often overlooked.

Her story is a reminder that one person’s vision, rooted in lived experience and strengthened by determination, can ignite a movement that changes thousands of lives. For her unyielding commitment to Alabama’s most vulnerable children and her example of servant leadership, Lee Marshall is rightly honored as a Yellowhammer News Woman of Impact.