Meet the Team
At the heart of Concordance is a desire to help our participants move forward. Our team members and board of directors include a wide range of backgrounds and expertise in criminal justice, Fortune 500 leadership, behavioral sciences, and beyond — and we are dedicated to restoring individuals, rebuilding families, transforming communities, and advancing the field of re-entry.
Danny Ludeman
Chairman & CEO
Danny Ludeman previously served as CEO of Wells Fargo Advisors, where he increased revenue from $300 million to $10 billion during his tenure. Upon retirement, he followed a spiritual calling to serve others, leading to the founding of Concordance. Danny remains active in industry and civic affairs, serving on several local boards. He also attends Covenant Seminary, where he is pursuing a divinity degree. He is a visionary for the organization, setting long-term goals designed to solve some of society’s largest problems and effectively identifying key leaders to guide the process.
Concordance Operating Team
Michelle Smith
President & Chief Operating Officer
Lee Holmes
Chief Administrative Officer
Sarah Topal
Chief Quality & Research Officer
Julie Russell
EVP, Head of Behavioral Health & Wellness
Kate Kay
EVP, Head of Community & Life Skills; Managing Director, St. Louis Center
Tiph Jones
EVP, Head of Education & Employment
Jill Lewin
SVP, Senior Director of Marketing, Communications & Development
Tom Grant
SVP, Senior Director of Concordance Employment Agency
Rokas Varanavicius
SVP, Senior Director of IT
Michelle Smith
President & Chief Operating Officer
Michelle Smith is the President and Chief Operating Officer at Concordance. As President and COO, she spearheads new initiatives, facilitates government relations, manages the organization’s processes and operations, and oversees the day-to-day administrative functions of Concordance. She joined Concordance in December 2015, because she knew Concordance had the promise of changing the lives of so many people. She wanted to help create a first-of-its-kind re-entry model. Michelle earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Business from Gettysburg College and a Master of Arts degree in Economics from Georgetown University. She also earned a Master of Science degree in Project Management from George Washington University and obtained a PMP certification. Michelle brings 20 years of experience in logistics, management of new initiatives, and operations. Prior to working at Concordance, Michelle was the Managing Partner at a Houston-based architecture firm where she was responsible for analyzing policy and law changes, demographic, economic, and workload trends, and their resulting impact on space and facility needs.
Lee Holmes
Chief Administrative Officer
Lee Holmes is the Chief Administrative Officer at Concordance and is responsible for human resources, information technology, security, facilities, risk, and compliance. He joined Concordance in August 2022 and is excited to work for an organization that helps effect positive change in the lives of justice-involved individuals. Lee graduated from McDaniel College with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and a minor in accounting. He brings over 20 years of experience in human resources, finance, IT, safety, and risk management. Prior to joining Concordance, Lee worked at Triad Manufacturing as their Human Resources Manager and was responsible for all aspects of human resources, including benefits, recruiting, training, strategy management, worker’s compensation, safety, risk management, regulatory compliance, 401K, and the Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
Sarah Topal
Chief Quality & Research Officer
Sarah Topal is the Chief Quality & Research Officer at Concordance and is responsible for the quality and fidelity of the Concordance Re-Entry Model and program across all service domains. She joined Concordance in June 2016 to pursue her passion for applying science and evidence to one of the greatest societal issues of all time. Sarah earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, a Master of Social Work degree from the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis, and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Program Evaluation from Washington University in St. Louis. Sarah brings 12 years of experience in assessment, treatment, and holistic care of justice-involved adults, as well as eight years of program development and evaluation experience. Prior to joining Concordance, Sarah worked with the Illinois Department of Human Services in the forensic unit of Alton Mental Health Center.
Julie Russell
EVP, Head of Behavioral Health & Wellness
Julie Russell is the Executive Vice President, Head of Behavioral Health & Wellness at Concordance. She leads the behavioral health and wellness team composed of therapists who provide assessment, interdisciplinary treatment planning, and individual and group therapy using evidence-informed interventions as part of the Concordance Re-Entry Model. Julie joined Concordance in November 2021 because of its visionary leadership, holistic integrated model, compassionate team, and focus on impact. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Southwestern University and a Master of Social Work degree from the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. Julie brings over 25 years of experience as a clinician, educator, grant maker, and executive in the social sector. Prior to working at Concordance, Julie served as Executive Director for Leap Ambassadors and as the Chief Impact Officer at the United Way of Greater St. Louis.
Kate Kay
EVP, Head of Community & Life Skills; Managing Director, St. Louis Center
Kate Kay is the Executive Vice President, Head of Community & Life Skills at Concordance. Kate oversees case management services, life skills, family reunification, legal services, spirituality, housing services, and the Concordance House. She also manages relationships with community resources, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Kate joined Concordance in October 2017 because of her belief in treating the whole person during their healing journey. Kate earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Ohio Wesleyan University and a Master of Social Work degree from the School of Social Work at St. Louis University. Kate brings 18 years of experience working with vulnerable populations in areas of substance use, mental health, re-entry, and supported employment. Prior to working at Concordance, Kate worked as a program director at a community mental health organization that provided case management and substance use services to adults living with severe and persistent mental illness.
Tiph Jones
EVP, Head of Education & Employment
Dr. Tiph Jones is the Executive Vice President, Head of Education & Employment at Concordance. Tiph provides leadership over education, job readiness, and employment services including management of a talented team of career educators, coaches, and staffing professionals. She also cultivates hiring partnerships through the Concordance Employment Agency which employs Concordance associates in food service, manufacturing, and retail sectors. Tiph joined Concordance in August 2022 and is excited to help shape the participant journey. Tiph earned a Master of Science degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Walden University and her Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership, Learning, and Innovation from Wilmington University. She brings over 15 years of learning development and professional coaching experience. Tiph has vast expertise in workforce development with diverse populations, training program management and development, and DEI leadership. Before joining Concordance, Tiph served as the Director of Workforce & Talent Development at St. Louis Community College.
Jill Lewin
SVP, Senior Director of Marketing, Communications & Development
Jill Lewin is the Senior Vice President, Senior Director of Marketing, Communications & Development at Concordance. She is responsible for the day-to-day management, oversight, and strategy of all activities related to fundraising, marketing, internal and external communications, and the organization’s brand and messaging. Jill joined Concordance in May 2020 and believes her team members are the storytellers of the organization, charged with being the ambassadors of Concordance participants’ stories and sharing them with the world. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and Spanish from Marquette University and a Master of Arts degree in Communication Management from Webster University. She brings 20 years of experience in development, public relations, communications, and nonprofit work. Prior to joining Concordance, Jill was the Senior Associate Director of Development for the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis.
Tom Grant
SVP, Senior Director of Concordance Employment Agency
Tom Grant is the Senior Vice President, Director of the Concordance Employment Agency. Tom leads the day-to-day sales and operations for the Concordance Employment Agency. He is responsible for the overall financial management of the agency and ensuring that the agency maintains alignment and adherence to the Concordance Re-Entry Model. Tom joined Concordance in April 2018 with the goal of stemming the tide of reincarceration while instilling hope into the lives of justice-involved individuals. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio and TV Public Relations from Ball State University. Tom brings over 10 years of staffing expertise to Concordance. Prior to joining Concordance, Tom was the Branch Manager at PeopleReady, an on-demand staffing provider.
Rokas Varanavicius
SVP, Senior Director of IT
Rokas Varanavicius is the Senior Vice President, Senior Director of Information Technology at Concordance. He is responsible for strategy development and owning overall comprehensive technology, including Dynamics 365 Solution Architecture, Azure, Data Platform & Analytics, and Custom Development. Rokas joined Concordance in December 2020 and believes in making the benefits of innovative technology available not only to organizations but also to all members of society regardless of socioeconomic status. Rokas earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Missouri in St. Louis. He brings 18 years of experience in implementing business applications, including budling highly effective teams and architecting and implementing business-critical technology solutions. Prior to joining Concordance, Rokas was the Director of Customer Engagement & Technical services at Turnkey Technologies.
Board of Directors
Kelvin Adams
Superintendent, St. Louis Public School District
Angela Adler
SVP, Networks and Transformation, Optum
Elcio Barcelos
Chief Human Resources Officer, U.S. Bank
Lynn Britton
Executive Chair of the Board, Mercy
Jim Bullard
President & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Scott Carter
SVP, COO of Distribution Operations & President, Spire Missouri
Ken Cella
Principal, Branch Development, Edward Jones
Tad Edwards
Chairman, President & CEO, Benjamin F. Edwards & Co.
Dave Eichhorn
CEO & Head of Investment Strategies, NISA Investment Advisors, LLC
Sal Hernandez
Former Assistant Director, FBI
Rick Holton, Jr.
COO, Hermann Companies
Dan Isom
Director, Department of Public Safety, City of St. Louis
Laurent Javois
Regional Executive Officer, Missouri Department of Mental Health – Division of Behavioral Health
Diane Katzman
President, Diane Katzman Fine Arts
JEREMY Keele
Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Catalyst Opportunity Funds
Rusty Keeley
CEO, Keeley Companies
Robert Kirkland
Senior VP and CFO, Stanley Black and Decker
David Kowach
Head of Community Banking, Wells Fargo
Ken Kranzberg
Chairman Emeritus, TricorBraun
Greg Kraus
Managing Director, Resident Director, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Ron Kruszewski
Chairman of the Board & CEO, Stifel
Marc Lazar
Founder, Domaine Wine Storage
Joe Leahy
Chief Creative Officer, HLK
MINGU LEE
Managing Partner, Cleveland Avenue
Danny Ludeman
President & CEO, Concordance
Steve Maritz
Executive Chairman, Maritz
Rich McClure
Former Co-Chair, The Ferguson Commission; Former President & CEO, Unigroup
Ken McDonald
Senior Director of Business Development, Covenant Theological Seminary
ESSYE MILLER
CEO, Executive Business Management
Michael Moehn
Chairman & President, Ameren Missouri
Carrie Nelson
CEO & Founder, Atlas Point LLC
Bob Newmark
Partner, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
Steve Nystrom
Retired Senior Vice President, U.S. Bank
Kathy Osborn
President & CEO, Regional Business Council
Steve Ponciroli
Managing Director - Client Partnerships & Growth, Catalyte Leadership Acceleration
Eriko Pope
CEO/Founder, Katalyst STL
emily procter
Entrepreneur, Activist, and Actress
Nick Ragone
Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Ascension
Benjamin Rassieur III
President, Paulo Products Company
Kitty Ratcliffe
President, Explore St. Louis
Joe Reagan
Founder & CEO, One Stone Development
B.T. Rice
Pastor, New Horizon 7th Day Christian Church
Lamont Robinson
Director, Supplier Diversity at AmerisourceBergen
Michael Scully
Missouri Regional President, PNC Bank
Susan Sherman
Co-Founder, St. Louis Fashion Fund
Craig Silliman
Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative, Legal, and Public Policy Officer, Verizon
Joe Sivewright
Chairman, Nestlé Purina PetCare
David Steward
Chairman & Founder, World Wide Technology
Donald Suggs
Publisher & Executive Editor, St. Louis American
Susan Talve
Founding Rabbi, Central Reform Congregation
Mark Thom
Chairman & CEO, MiTek
John thompson
Venture Partner, Lightspeed Venture Partners
Greg Trapp
Former Division President & General Manager, Progressive Corporation
Mary Unnerstall
Executive Manager, Office of the Chairman, World Wide Technology
Rob Vitale
President & CEO, Post Holdings
Sara Wade
Former Chief Human Resources Officer & SVP, Express Scripts
Caprina Wakefield
Regional Vice President, Human Resources, SSM Health – Health Business
Chip Walker
Former Managing Director, Client Experience and Growth, Wells Fargo Advisors
Tim Wentworth
Retired CEO, Evernorth
JAMES E. Williams, Jr.
President & CEO, Estel Foods, Inc.
Craig Workman
President, Workman Communications Group
Mark Wrighton
Interim President, George Washington University; Professor & Chancellor Emeritus, Washington University
Jackie Yoon
President, YFB Consulting
Our Investors
We couldn’t do the work we do today without those who’ve invested in us since day one. Learn more about our individual and corporate supporters and how you can join the charge.
Our Locations
We are headquartered in St. Louis and preparing to expand nationwide over the next five years.