Muriel has been advocating for animals most of her life; donating her time and resources, demonstrating, campaigning, and speaking up and out for those who cannot speak for themselves. She has served on the boards of the Idaho Humane Society in Boise, Idaho, The Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in Lynnwood, WA and was a member of the Washington State Council of the Humane Society of the United States. Currently, in addition to her service on the All Life Institute board, she is Board Chair of the Center for a Humane Economy in Washington D.C.

Professionally, Muriel practiced personal financial planning and wealth management in privately held firms until selling the last one to US Bank. At US Bank she founded and managed the Private Asset Management Group. She later joined U.S. Trust Company and helped establish and lead its Seattle office until 2007.

In addition to her work with animals, Muriel has devoted time to numerous arts and community organizations. She has served on the boards of the Seattle Opera, the Seattle Symphony Foundation, the Seattle Symphony and the YWCA of Seattle-King County, and was Treasurer of the latter two organizations.

Muriel holds a BA from the University of Washington and is designated as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). She has shared her home with numerous dogs and cats over the years. Bingham, a grey tabby, is her current feline companion.