We are
Hope Ignites
We believe every young person should have hope for the future and believe they can make a difference in the world.
As global, economic, and opportunity disparities grow, the demand for our program is bigger than ever.
That’s where Hope Ignites comes in.
We meet young people where they are and support them as their needs evolve. With deep long-term relationships and opportunities that nurture every aspect of a young person’s growth, our program delivers lasting impact.
By igniting hope, we’re changing lives!
Our Mission
To nurture and guide motivated young people in need to become
well-educated, career-ready, men and women for others.
Where We Work
Our History
For 45 years, Hope Ignites has helped young people leverage their strengths by providing access to education and opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have. With their motivation and determination, and Hope Ignites’ high expectations and nurturing environments, our alumni have been given the tools they need to build their own success stories.
Leadership
The Hope Ignites Board of Directors and leadership team work together to ensure mission fidelity, financial stewardship, and transparency. Together, we are committed to continuous learning, effective programs and outcomes, and ongoing improvement through evaluation and innovation.
Kristin Ostby de Barillas
President & CEO
Melanie Burden
VP of People & Culture
Brian Hipp
VP of Mission Effectiveness
Bill Fronczak
VP of Advancement
Jennifer Starkey
Senior Director of Marketing & Communications
Laura Stevens
Senior Director of Organizational Impact
Dana Nichols
Senior Director of Donor Engagement
Ashley Scoville
Director of Finance and Accounting
Erin Beezley
Director of Experiential Learning & Youth Development
James Williams
Director of Post-Secondary Success & Strategic Partnerships
Pete Schweiss
Director of Technology Services
Xiá Simmons
Director of Grants & Stewardship
Vivian Mendoza
Latin America Program Advisor
Stephanie Cabrera
Human Capital Manager
Aly Marin
Brand & Design Manager
Martin Totland
Communications & Media Coordinator
Gigi Burgos
Program Data Coordinator
Lynn Trieschmann
Development & Database Coordinator
Jenn Garris
Payroll Specialist
Janée Artis
Infrastructure Support Specialist
Bridget Reuter
Accounting Specialist
Debbie Shelton
Administrative Assistant Specialist
Julie Fabian
Benefits Administrator
Board of Directors
Rob Lloyd
Board Chair
Dr. Edward Anderson
Retired Cardiologist
Dr. Angela Jones
Pediatrician
Rev. Ronny O’Dwyer, SJ
President
DeSmet Jesuit High School
Rev. Paul G. Sheridan, SJ
Founder
Hope Ignites
Abby Aydt, Treasurer
Senior Manager
KPMG
Dani Kerrigan
Business Owner
Jason Pernell
Worldwide VP of Software Accelleration
Cisco
Ken Stable, Alumni
Attorney
Steve Carani
Retired Partner
Edward Jones
Joe Koenig
President
World Wide Technology
Federica Sada de Padilla
Presidente de Consejo
Ser y Crecer
Jeff Taylor
Chief Operating Officer
Tufin
Dave Conway
Executive Advisor
Intellex Talent
Colette Kopon
Attorney
Littler Mendelson
Tom Santel
Retired Business Executive
Thomas Stanley
Value Accelerator Advisor
Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Mike De Graffenried
Retired Business Executive
Michael Leahy
Executive Chairman
Leahy IFP
Anja Schmelter
Marketing Consultant
John Wunderlich
Former Business Consultant
Brown Smith Wallace
Palmina Fava
Chief Integrity Officer & Global Head of Litigation for TMICC and General Counsel Ben & Jerry’s
Dr. Clarence Lee, Jr.
President & CEO
Exhort Health
Greg Scruggs, Alumni
Defensive Line Coach
San Francisco 4934s
Lisa Flavin, Vice Chair
Senior Vice President, Chief Transformation and Compliance Officer
Emerson
Cameran Lindee
Vice President
CBRE FOundation
Joanna Gordon Martin
Entrepreneur and Healthcare Executive
Paul Minorini
Retired Nonprofit Executive
Hope Ignites All
At Hope Ignites, we are a passionate team of individuals from all walks of life, united as One Team One Mission. The strength of our Network lies in the incredible potential within each person, and we take pride in creating a community where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered.
Built into our DNA is a commitment to family-like settings fostering a deep sense of belonging. This means prioritizing authentic connections, truly listening, recognizing everyone’s experiences, seeking understanding and building trust. We believe that bringing together a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and differences within our teams and boards strengthens our ability to support the young people we serve.
Their safety, well-being, experiences, and opportunities are at the heart of our mission. As we invest in each scholar and team member, we are also working to build bridges of understanding and create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY
Contact Us
Please fill out the contact form below and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible.
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Or contact our office
Hope Ignites
5257 Shaw Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
314.298.1250
networkhq@hopeignites.org
