Meet Our Team

Tracey Lynch Vardiman is a lifelong entrepreneur, strategist, and innovator with more than two decades of leadership experience spanning healthcare, education, finance, non-profits, operations, and corporate sales. A seasoned manager, educator, and nationally awarded sales professional, she has built her career on mentoring, coaching, strategic design, and creating systems that fuel both people and organizations to thrive. Tracey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Aurora University and an MBA in Global Business from the University of Phoenix. She is deeply committed to continuous learning, holding advanced certifications in sustainability, Al, corporate strategy, ESG, and leadership development from institutions including Harvard, Yale, IBM, and the University of Michigan. Her expertise spans project management, operations, marketing, sustainability, Al productivity, and business development, making her a versatile and forward-thinking leader.

Before launching Ignite Families, Tracey served as CFOO of Resilient Minds Family Services, where she secured the company’s first DCS contract and scaled operations from two employees to 28 within 18 months-reaching $3M in revenue while building systems of compliance, quality assurance, and staff support. She has also worked in global operations at McDonald’s Corporation, as a Sr. Sales Representative at Eli Lilly, where she earned multiple national performance awards including the President’s Circle (Top 5%), and as a Business Account Executive at Verizon Wireless, where she was nationally recognized by the CEO for representing the company’s credo of excellence. She later brought her expertise into hospice and healthcare sales, training, and nonprofit consulting, raising more than $50M in funding for community development institutions and grassroots organizations nationwide.

Tracey is also the Founder of The Lynchpinned Life® and has served as a consultant and corporate trainer, designing strategies in sustainability, operations, and leadership while coaching individuals and organizations toward growth. Today, she leads Ignite Families into a new era of service with Indiana’s Department of Child Services, championing elite, compassionate, and culturally competent family reunification services. Outside of her professional work, she is a published author, and is married to her husband Darrell. Together they enjoy a simple and elegant life in Indiana with their three dogs-Ali, Olivia James, and Sunshine. She is the mother of two adult children and a passionate lover of travel, reading, writing, metaphysics, gardening, and philosophy. Her leadership is rooted in both her entrepreneurial drive and her belief that excellence, compassion, and intentionality can transform families and communities for generations.

Darrell brings his expertise as a building scientist with a specialization in energy conservation. Known for his ability to build and fix almost anything, he applies the same problem-solving mindset to financial stewardship and organizational growth. Darrell is married to Tracey, and together they enjoy a simple, intentional life with their three dogs. In his free time, he loves reading, Tai Chi, studying and trading the stock market, exploring nature, traveling, and gardening.

Rod is a seasoned leader with over 17 years of military service and a passion for building organizations that make a lasting impact. A veteran and lifelong coach, he combines his expertise in operations, business strategy, and human development to help strengthen communities and create meaningful opportunities for growth. Outside of work, Rod is dedicated to fitness, nutrition, and wellness, and enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with family and close friends. He values authenticity, service, and continuous self-improvement, bringing those principles into both his professional and personal life.

Levi handles the referral desk and FCM communications. He is a lifelong believer in helping other people, particularly those in great need. He has a dog. Effie, who is the light of his life, and enjoys cooking and playing cards in his downtime.

Joel is the Director of Training at Ignite. He lives in Anderson and spends time working in the community and with his local church. He is a pianist who enjoys playing for events and those in hospice. His favorite food is Hibachi.

Toni is a proud parent of three wonderful daughters. In her spare time, Toni enjoys writing, creative art and design, and cherishing moments with family. Passionate about volunteerism, Toni has dedicated several years to supporting schools that serve students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Eugene Whitten is the Founder and CEO of Abundant Life Counseling & Consulting LLC, where he integrates evidence-based approaches like DBT and CBT with faith-based principles to help individuals and families find healing and growth. With a heart for trauma recovery and a passion for equipping churches to better understand mental health, Eugene combines clinical skill with compassionate care. Married to his wife for 32 years, he enjoys traveling with his wife, spending time with their four children and soon-to-be five grandchildren, and supporting others in living full, abundant lives.

Kendi has spent over a decade supporting executives and entrepreneurs with admin support. Outside of work, she thrives in the outdoors; whether walking through forests, discovering waterfalls, or attending social events. A true foodie at heart, Kendi loves exploring cultures through food, diving into spirituality, getting lost in a good book, listening to the 90s & 2000s R&B, and enjoying a good girl chat. Known as the “fun aunty” she finds joy in nurturing her loved ones, caring for her plants, and bringing warmth into every space she’s part of.

Deanna Simon is the owner of Unity Circle Family Services and a dedicated leader at Ignite Families. A frequent world traveler, she also treasures time with her family. Deanna is a proud mother of five adult children and lives in Geist with her husband, where she continues her passion for working with children and families.

Rebecca Brianne Smith serves as the Executive Assistant to the COO at Ignite Families. With a strong background in the service industry, Rebecca brings exceptional organizational skills, professionalism, and a passion for supporting dynamic teams. She is thrilled to be entering a new field and contributing to Ignite’s mission and growth.

Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys an active and creative lifestyle—she’s an avid cyclist, an enthusiastic thrifter with a love for vintage treasures, and a fan of classic arcade games. She also enjoys reading and exploring new cities whenever she has the opportunity. At home, she dotes on her three beloved cats: Mathilda, Casper, and Bruce.

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.

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.

Michelle is a Family Support Manager and Home-Based Caseworker with Ignite Families. In addition to her work with Ignite, she teaches online courses for Ivy Tech and is a professional singer with a lifelong passion for music and performance. Michelle also enjoys working out and is a proud parent to one amazing son who inspires her every day.

Sherri assists with Home Based Therapy, Sr. HBCW, DV, and FE at Ignite Families LLC. On days of quiet time, she spends time with her adult kids, grandchildren, and when time allows; photography of people, places, and art, along with crafts and visiting with friends.

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.

Destiny Banks serves as Ignite Families’ Community Resource Leader, connecting families with vital services and building strong partnerships with local agencies. Based in Indianapolis, she brings experience in human services, case management, and community outreach through her work with organizations such as Wheeler Mission, Step Up Inc., and Monumental Health Behavior. Destiny is passionate about advocacy, cultural competency, and equipping families with the resources they need to thrive.

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!

LaTasha is a proud mother of two boys and serves as a Senior Home-based Caseworker with Ignite Families. In her free time, LaTasha enjoys praise dancing, as well as listening to jazz and gospel rap. She is passionate about connecting with her community by attending local events that empower people to live their best lives.

Linda has worked in social work for 15 years and currently cherishes her role in serving and helping others with Ignite Families as a HBCM, VF and Parenting Instructor. She has been married for 45 years, her family is her pride and joy, with her grandchildren being the highlight of her life. Linda enjoys spending time at home, has a love of animals with two cats and dog, indulging in reading, exploring the outdoors, gardening, and finds her faith central to her being.

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.

Tanya is a huge sports fan who proudly cheers for her 49ers football team and Angels baseball team. Originally from the West Coast, she has called Indiana home for nearly 18 years. Tanya has been married for almost 15 years and shares life with her two beloved dogs, Hulk (7) and Kane (6), who keep her on her toes. In her free time, she and her husband enjoy playing golf and bowling together.

Rolunda Fears is a Case Manager/Home Based Counselor by profession but driven to create more space in her life for further developing her second language – American Sign Language. Rolunda loves communicating with her hands far more than speaking English. She is currently a part-time IF Special Projects Support Staff Member. She is the current full-time Community Engagement Manager at Ascent 121. Rolunda is single and has no children of her own. She is devoted to Christ, loves spending quality time with her nieces/nephews and siblings, enthusiastic about her support role at IF, and passionate about advocating for the youth at Ascent 121 that are survivors of sex trafficking.

Angela is an experienced Home-Based Caseworker with a strong background in supporting families involved with DCS and working with geriatric populations. She has served in roles with Firefly Children & Family Alliance, American Senior Communities, and Resilient Minds, where she provided family coaching, supervised visitation, and activity programming. Angela holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Martin University and is passionate about advocating for families, teaching life skills, and helping parents and children build healthier, more stable lives.

Monteria has been working in the public service field for over 10 years and is passionate about supporting families through her work at Ignite Families. She provides home-based casework, parenting education, father engagement, and supervised visitation. Monteria is a proud single mother to her 5-year-old son, Dontae, who inspires her every day with his intelligence, kindness, and love. She also has a lively 3-year-old Yorkie named Whisky who brings plenty of fun and energy into their home. In her free time, Monteria enjoys spending time with family, traveling to new places, and enjoying a good steak taco. Above all, she finds true joy in helping others and making a positive difference in the lives of the families she serves.

Susan is an experienced Social Services Professional with a strong background in supervised visitation, casework, and family engagement. She has worked extensively with DCS and community partners to promote child safety, permanency, and reunification, bringing expertise in crisis response, documentation, and advocacy. Susan is committed to ethical practice, cultural sensitivity, and supporting families with compassion and accountability.

Founder & CEO of Paragon Youth & Family Services, Julius has dedicated over 20 years to serving children and families through social services, law enforcement, and community outreach. A former police officer and Family Case Manager Supervisor with Indiana DCS, Julius has built a career advocating for at-risk youth, absentee fathers, and victims of abuse and neglect. In addition to leading Paragon, he is known for his hands-on community service-funding events to feed the homeless and support families in need. Julius continues to be a trusted pillar in Indiana, committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of children and families.

Kenosha is a compassionate professional with a strong background in social services and a newly earned CDL Class A certification. She has served as a Home- Based Caseworker, Visitation Facilitator, and Qualified Developmental Disabilities Professional, supporting children, families, and individuals with specialized needs. Known for her reliability, advocacy, and crisis response skills, Kenosha combines her passion for helping others with her versatility in both human services and transportation to make a meaningful impact in her community.

Kristi is a Home-Based Caseworker from Muncie, IN. She is a passionate animal activist and also a dedicated foster parent, bringing compassion and care into every part of her life and work.

LaJeanna brings over nine years of experience in case management and is a licensed foster parent, which has shaped her strong passion for working closely with children and families. With a background in education as a licensed substitute teacher, LaJeanna truly enjoys helping youth grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Committed to making a lasting impact, she is currently open to taking on new clientele. Outside of work, LaJeanna enjoys spending time with her family and staying active in her community.

My life revolves around my family and my two children, who are 1 and 10 years old. Being a mother has taught me patience, compassion, and balance, which I carry into every part of my life. My family motivates me to continue growing personally and professionally. One of my biggest goals is to return to school to earn my master’s degree and eventually become a licensed social worker. I truly love the work I do and am passionate about helping others, and I look forward to continuing my journey in the field of social work.

Babajide, fondly known as Jay, is a results-driven administrator with a genuine passion for creativity and innovation. He’s married and a proud dad to two wonderful daughters. Jay loves exploring new places, getting lost in a good book, and cherishing every moment spent with his family.

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.

Loren is a proud wife and mom of three energetic kids, ages 8, 9, and 10. She has a strong background in special education and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, where she’s dedicated to supporting children and families through patience, compassion, and understanding. Loren also volunteers in the nursery at her church, finding joy in helping little ones grow and thrive. When she’s not working or serving her community, she enjoys spending time near the water—whether it’s swimming, kayaking, or cruising with her family. Family adventures and faith-filled moments are at the heart of everything she does.

Although Sarah is new to being a home based caseworker, she has spent 20 years in public education and non-profits. She is a mother to two teens and five animals. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and reading.

Guimps is a dedicated Case Worker and Visitation Facilitator at Ignite Families, based in Anderson, Indiana. Originally from Haiti, Guimps brings a deep sense of compassion and cultural awareness to his work, supporting families with care, consistency, and professionalism.

Beyond his role at Ignite, Guimps is a proud father to an 18-month-old daughter who inspires much of his joy and purpose. In his free time, he enjoys cooking and is an avid soccer fan, bringing the same enthusiasm and teamwork from the field into his everyday life and work.