About Us

Darrell Vardiman is the Chief Financial and Operations Officer (CFOO) of Ignite Families, where he has served since 2022 as a foundational leader in building operational infrastructure, optimizing budget performance, and driving sustainable growth. Darrell brings over a decade of leadership in energy efficiency, building science, and construction management—skills he has masterfully transferred into the human services sector to create systems that are efficient, responsive, and rooted in dignity.

Before joining Ignite, Darrell led project strategy and energy advising at CLEAResult, where he was a senior leader on the original Indianapolis launch team and delivered over 1,600 residential energy assessments. His technical expertise spans HVAC diagnostics, insulation, air sealing, and moisture management, and he holds numerous certifications including BPI Certified Building Analyst, Advanced Air Sealing, Moisture Management, and Combustion Safety Testing. At CLEAResult, he was recognized for designing and implementing field innovations, including a garage insulation protocol that significantly reduced energy loss and increased client comfort.

Earlier in his career, Darrell founded and managed Lakefront General Contracting & Residential Cleaning, overseeing a wide range of energy-conscious renovations and eco-friendly cleaning services. From window and flooring upgrades to drywall repair and plumbing installations, he built a reputation for hands-on excellence, customer satisfaction, and environmentally responsible solutions.

At Ignite Families, Darrell brings this same depth of knowledge and unwavering discipline to his leadership of finance and operations. He is known for designing systems that work—from budgets and dashboards to team structures and field processes. He approaches every challenge with the eye of a builder and the heart of a strategist, crafting solutions that balance care with precision.

Darrell is married to Ignite’s founder, Tracey Lynch, and together they have created a life rooted in simplicity, intentionality, and love. They enjoy time with their three dogs, gardening, traveling, exploring nature, and practicing mindfulness. In his free time, Darrell studies the stock market, reads extensively, practices Tai Chi, and continues mentoring youth through programs, volunteering since 2018 to help young men build confidence, resilience, and purpose.

Roderic “Rod” Strozier is a mission-driven leader with over 17 years of distinguished military service and a lifelong dedication to building organizations that empower people and communities. As a veteran of the U.S. Army and a seasoned coach, Rod brings unparalleled expertise in operations management, strategic planning, and human development to every role he steps into.

Rod has held leadership positions across both military and civilian sectors, including roles in logistics coordination, team supervision, project strategy, and organizational training. Known for his calm under pressure and authentic leadership style, Rod excels at mobilizing people toward shared goals while cultivating a culture of respect, accountability, and continuous improvement.

As a business consultant and operations strategist, Rod has advised growing organizations on infrastructure design, leadership development, and performance optimization. His ability to synthesize complex challenges into actionable roadmaps has made him a trusted advisor across industries—from public service to nonprofit systems.

At Ignite Families, Rod serves as a senior strategic partner, helping shape leadership systems, staff development pipelines, and operational policies that drive both immediate impact and long-term stability. His unique perspective as a veteran, coach, and strategist allows him to bridge structure and empathy, bringing the best of both worlds to his work in child and family services.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Rod is a passionate advocate for wellness and personal growth. He leads by example—staying dedicated to fitness, nutrition, mindfulness, and positive routines that foster mental, physical, and emotional resilience. He enjoys cooking for loved ones, traveling, and investing deeply in his close-knit family and friends.

Rod’s core values—authenticity, service, and lifelong self-improvement—are the through line in all he does. Whether leading a team, advising an organization, or mentoring a young person, Rod operates from a place of purpose, discipline, and integrity.

Levi Osborn is the calm, compassionate bridge between Ignite Families and the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS). As our Referral Desk Coordinator and FCM Liaison, Levi is the first point of contact for hundreds of incoming cases. His thoughtful communication, detailed coordination, and problem-solving mindset ensure every family is matched with the services and providers they need—efficiently, accurately, and with care.

With a background in child welfare, technology, and administrative systems, Levi brings over two decades of experience in service-driven roles. Before joining Ignite Families, Levi served as Executive Director of True Legacy Family Services, where he helped build digital infrastructure, compliance systems, and referral workflows to support youth and families impacted by trauma. His career also includes roles as a Continuous Improvement Officer and Home-Based Caseworker, where he worked directly with vulnerable children facing abuse, neglect, mental health challenges, and poverty—developing firsthand insight into the complexities families face in times of crisis.

Levi’s experience in education and university-level technical services adds another layer of precision to his work. At IUPUI’s School of Liberal Arts, he spent nearly a decade training and supervising staff, overseeing building safety protocols, supporting multimedia systems, and ensuring student success through tech-enabled solutions.

Across every role, Levi has remained grounded in his core belief: that helping others—especially those in greatest need—is the most meaningful work of all. He brings this ethos to every referral, every email, every call.

When he’s not routing cases or solving system challenges, Levi enjoys cooking, playing cards, and spending time with his beloved dog Effie—the light of his life. His warmth, humility, and behind-the-scenes leadership make him a quiet force at Ignite Families, where his work continues to touch hundreds of lives each week.

Kendi Kimaita is an accomplished Executive Administrator with more than ten years of experience strengthening organizational operations and executive support systems. At Ignite Families Services, she plays a key role in keeping backend processes running smoothly, ensuring that documentation, reporting, and internal workflows remain accurate, organized, and ready for timely billing. Known for her reliability, creativity, and thoughtful approach to teamwork, Kendi works seamlessly across the organization—from leadership to peers—to support clear communication and coordinated operations. She contributes to the organization’s brand presence through thoughtful design and administrative excellence, and is dedicated to building efficient, people-centered systems that empower teams and help Ignite Families deliver high-quality service to the community.