Meet Our Team

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.

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.

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.

Kimberly is passionate about helping families thrive and grow, bringing warmth, empathy, and dedication to their work. Outside of work, they enjoy traveling, camping, motorcycle riding, and attending sporting events, embracing life’s adventures and the joy of family connections wherever they go.

Joel Shumate is the Director of Documentation, Compliance & Audit Readiness at Ignite Families, where he designs and delivers the onboarding, development, and quality assurance systems that ensure every caseworker is equipped to succeed. With a rich background in corporate training, marketing strategy, and human services, Joel blends technical precision with a deep passion for people—ensuring that every team member feels confident, prepared, and supported in the field.

A resident of Anderson, Indiana, Joel joined Ignite Families during a pivotal period of growth. Initially hired as a caseworker, he quickly demonstrated leadership in both service delivery and staff development. As a Field Trainer and Auditor, he played a critical role in launching a 24/7 crisis intervention facility and developed the onboarding bootcamps that now shape the early success of every new team member. Today, as Director of Training, he champions quality, integrity, and impact across all field operations.

Joel holds an MBA with honors from Anderson University and a Bachelor’s in Business CIS from the University of Northern Colorado. Prior to his transition into family services, he built a 15-year career in marketing and communications, leading campaigns and training teams at startups and Fortune 500 companies alike. From launching enterprise websites to orchestrating nationwide event campaigns, Joel’s strategic vision and communications savvy have always centered on one thing: service to others.

Beyond his professional roles, Joel is an active member of his local church and community. A gifted pianist, he often volunteers his music for events and plays for individuals in hospice care—offering peace and presence through every note. He’s a strong believer in faith, family, and good food (especially hibachi), and he brings a spirit of calm leadership to every room he enters.

With a career spanning nonprofit, education, marketing, and direct client care, Joel’s unique ability to connect systems and souls makes him a cornerstone of Ignite Families’ mission-driven team.

Kisha is a Team Support Leader and HBCW at Ignite Families, where she also supervises family visitations. With over 26 years of experience working with children including more than a decade supporting individuals on the spectrum Kisha brings compassion, expertise, and strong communication skills to every family she serves. She holds an associate degree in Criminal Justice, is a registered Behavioral Analyst, and is currently completing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. A proud mother of three with a beloved dog, Kisha is spontaneous by nature and enjoys expressing herself through poetry. She is deeply committed to advocating for children and families and believes in the power of connection and care.

Lori is passionate about rebuilding broken families. She is the published author of “Why Do You Cry?”, a book that shares her personal story of rebuilding life and faith in the aftermath of life’s major storms. With a heart for women and children, Lori is devoted to guiding others toward hope, healing, and restoration. Outside of her ministry, she enjoys camping, traveling, taking on rebuilding projects, and nurturing growth -whether in gardens, families, or communities. Lori and her husband are blessed with a blended family with four adult children and three wonderful grandchildren, with hopefully many more to come!

Father Engagement Lead, Shanon worked in lumberyards and warehouses most of his adult life before going back to school for his bachelor’s degree, graduating from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in 2018 and starting a rewarding career in human services. He has three adult daughters and one young son and enjoys podcasting and writing film reviews in his spare time. Shanon loves all kinds of music, watching movies (especially horror, mystery, and thrillers), true crime, seafood, and making a difference in the lives of those in need.

I’m an educator and case manager based in Indianapolis and a proud mom of three, with a passion for supporting youth and families through both school and community-based work. My background includes teaching high school, leading student programs, and providing home-based services like supervised visitation tutoring, and parent education. I was drawn to Ignite because of its mission to strengthen families and create lasting impact, which aligns closely with the work I love to do. I’m especially passionate about helping young people build real-life skills and supporting parents in creating safe, structured, and connected environments. Outside of work, I enjoy fitness activities- I am currently working on my spin cycle instructor certification, operating as a team mom for my children’s multiple sports and traveling.

Ana serves as a Caseworker supporting children and families through supervised visitations, homemaker services, and parent engagement. She began her journey working with children in schools and mental health clinics, helping students in special education, and later gained experience as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). Ana brings experience in child services, customer service, and interpretation, which allows her to connect with families from diverse backgrounds and ensure they feel supported. Passionate about child and family services, she is dedicated to helping families build stability, find their strengths, and move toward reunification.

Founder & CEO of DES To DEW Consulting, LLC (Specializing in DCS Billing, Taxes, and Business Operations). Deandra has always had a passion for helping people, investigating, and figuring things out, especially in the area of math. She is married with three adult children and one little one that keeps her and dad youthful. She has three granddaughters (Zori, Zoey, and Ziyah – My 3 Z’s and 1 granddog who is a fashionista that gets her ears colored quarterly, named Melon. Deandra loves traveling, spending time with her family, and helping others in any area that she is led to do so. Sharing her knowledge and experience is something that she thrives on, and she is a lifelong learner.

Paris is a Team Lead at Ignite. She is committed to learning, creativity, and deep care for others. Paris is a dedicated mother to 6 kids ranging from 20 years with the youngest being 2. Paris finds joy in studying theology, mentoring young adults and teens, and creating systems that empower others to thrive. Outside of work, she enjoys family time, studying, laughing and cultivating growth in every area of life.

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.

June provides core administrative and structural reinforcement, running the tuck-in note workflow desk, processing incoming provider files, and assisting with onboarding pipelines alongside Kendi.