EXECUTIVE BOARD

DARCY GLIDEWELL

DARCY GLIDEWELL

Executive Director

About Darcy

Darcy joined The Next Step’s board in 2013 and served seven terms as its President. She is now serving as our pro-bono Executive Director.

Darcy had a 15-year retail merchandising and sales career and previously owned a ProSource Wholesale Floorcovering franchise, which she sold in 2006. Since then, she has focused on service work and raising her two daughters alongside her husband, Dan.

Darcy is currently pursuing a graduate degree in counseling and plans to start a new career in the counseling field. Her passion for both education and recovery from substance use disorder drives her commitment to helping individuals in recovery achieve their educational and career goals. She believes that education is crucial in helping those in recovery stay sober and become productive community members. Darcy is dedicated to supporting every person in recovery in the St. Louis community who has a financial need to achieve their educational dreams.

In addition to her work with The Next Step, Darcy volunteers with several other community organizations, including a previous board position at her temple, Congregation Shaare Emeth, and a current board position with a floorcovering industry-related scholarship organization.

SANDY WOOL

SANDY WOOL

President

About Sandy

Sandy is a retired business owner and private investor.  He is the longest-serving board member and currently serves as the board Treasurer.  He places a high value on philanthropy in the community and is passionate about helping others.

Sandy’s vision for the organization is for it to provide educational assistance to all the individuals in the St. Louis community who are in recovery and seeking to better themselves through education.

JEFF WIST

JEFF WIST

Vice President

About Jeff

Jeff is a partner at Moneta Group. Jeff has a BS in Finance and a Minor in Economics From University of Missouri – Columbia and his J.D. from University of Missouri School of Law. In addition to joining The Next Step’s board in 2022, Jeff is a committee member for both Ronald McDonald House Charities and Ready Readers. Jeff is excited to lend his expertise and skills to help The Next Step grow into an even stronger organization.

MARK LEADLOVE

MARK LEADLOVE

Treasurer

About Mark

Mark joined the board in 2018, and serves on the golf, dinner, and marketing committees.  He is a commercial litigator and a partner at the law firm of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, where he is also co-leader of the Commercial Disputes Practice Group.  His 35 year legal career includes four years on active duty as a US Army Judge Advocate General officer, as well as an additional 18 years in the US Army Reserve.  Mark has a history of community involvement, including having been chair of the board of Neighborhood Houses (now known as Unleashing Potential) and as a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Patrick Center.  Mark also was previously a member of the board of directors of The Friends of the St. Louis University Liver Center and of Kids In The Middle, Inc.  Mark was also very active in his church, serving as a member of the Administration Commission of Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church.

Mark understands and is compassionate about the struggles that a person in recovery may face.  Mark also is a sincere believer in the value of education in improving a person’s life.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ALLISON BAMBERGER

ALLISON BAMBERGER

Board Member

About Allison

Bio coming soon!

BOB CALLAHAN

BOB CALLAHAN

Board Member

About Bob

Bob is the former Chairman of Elan-Polo, an international footwear company based in St. Louis. After retirement, he wanted to give back to the community and joined The Next Step. He serves on the golf, finance, and sponsorship committees, and is a great asset to the organization. Bob enjoys golfing, traveling, and spending time with his family, particularly his 6 grandchildren.

It is an honor for Bob to be part of the mission of The Next Step and hopes to continue to help those in recovery achieve success and satisfaction through their education.

ALAN CARNEY

ALAN CARNEY

Board Member

About Alan

Alan is the Clinical Director and SATOP Administrator at Community Services of Missouri, Inc. His experience in counseling brings the board the perspective of someone who is working first-hand with individuals in recovery. He is currently serving on the scholarship and applicant recruitment committees.

Alan is immersed in the recovery community and hopes to bring his skills and expertise to help those pursuing recovery achieve an education.

DAVID DIEMER, MD

DAVID DIEMER, MD

Board Member

About David

David is a retired neuroradiologist who spent his career caring for patients and staff at Missouri Baptist and Mercy, St. John’s.

Inquiring St. Louisans may only need to know: David attended high school at St. Louis Priory,  graduating 1979. He is a big fan of Imo’s, toasted ravioli, Ted Drewes, Cardinal, baseball, and gooey butter cake!

As the “next step” in his journey, David feels incredibly graced to be given the opportunity to serve with the Next Step. Much of his life revolves around recovery. He is eternally grateful to be given a new reason to get out of bed before noon!

KEVIN ELLEGE

KEVIN ELLEGE

Board Member, Alumni

About Kevin

Kevin is a Substance Use Disorder Counselor and a Case Manager. He has worked in the recovery field for over a decade and is currently employed at Concordance Academy of Leadership and Community Services of Missouri as a SATOP Professional. Kevin was a Next Step Scholarship recipient for multiple years and graduated from Lindenwood in 2019 with a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He’s a proud member of the board and eager to help others achieve their goals.

Kevin is an active member of a 12-Step fellowship and is dedicated to repaying what has been so freely given. 

DR. STEPHEN IRWIN

DR. STEPHEN IRWIN

Board Member

About Stephen
Stephen has a BS in Psychology from Saint Louis University, where he co-founded the collegiate recovery community Sober @ SLU with Jay Winig, who is also a board member. He continued on to get his MD at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. Currently, Stephen is a Clinical Fellow in child and adolescent psychiatry at WashU.
CHRISTY IVORY

CHRISTY IVORY

Board Member, Alumni

About Christy

Christy is a multi-year scholarship recipient and recent MSW graduate of UMSL. Christy is a seasoned behavioral health professional with more than a decade of experience serving various non-profit organizations. Christy currently serves as EPICC CORE Program Manager at Behavioral Health Network of Greater St. Louis. Christy is passionate about recovery and increasing access to behavioral health for
vulnerable populations in the St. Louis area. Christy serves as a role model by using her personal recovery to instill hope and provide encouragement to those seeking recovery.

RICHARD KNOTT

RICHARD KNOTT

Board Member

About Richard

Bio coming soon!

RON MCKENZIE

RON MCKENZIE

Board Member

About Ron

Ron has held numerous leadership positions during a highly successful and decorated career as a US Secret Service Agent. He is currently the principal for Legacy Security Consulting, and brings extensive business experience to the organization. Since joining the board in 2016, he has served on the golf and scholarship committees. His focus as the chair of the Applicant Recruitment is to develop new ways of reaching those in the recovery community who can benefit from our services.

Ron has a desire to help those who have chosen to help themselves. His passion for the mission of The Next Step results from his involvement in the numerous recovery related areas for the past 25+ years.

RON WIESE

RON WIESE

Board Member

About Ron

Ron retired in 2018 after 36 years in the financial services sector, including 26
years at Scottrade where he held numerous leadership positions including
CFO/FinOp. Ron has a BS in Accountancy from the University of Missouri –
Columbia.

In addition to The Next Step, Ron is involved with AliveSTL.org, and The United
Way of St. Louis. Ron enjoys golfing, travel and spending time with family and
friends. Ron’s hope is to help those in recovery achieve success through their
education.

JAY WINIG

JAY WINIG

Board Member

About Jay

Jay is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a certified substance abuse counselor (CRADC) and has been a practicing clinical social worker for over 28 years. Jay has worked at Saint Louis University in the counseling center since 2008 and is one of the founders of the collegiate recovery community there. Jay has studied and worked around the country including South Florida and New York City.

Jay has been helping students find and maintain recovery and is passionate about supporting people in recovery achieve their goals through education.

STAFF MEMBERS

SHERRY LEBLANC

SHERRY LEBLANC

Senior Director

About Sherry

Sherry joined the organization in 2017 and has over 25 years of marketing and nonprofit experience. In her current role as Senior Director, she provides overall management in all aspects of the organization with a strong focus on marketing and fundraising.

Sherry enjoys working with scholarship recipients to share their stories of hope and resilience and to raise awareness of The Next Step’s good work. 

BETH ROBINSON

BETH ROBINSON

Director of Administration

About Beth

Beth has over 15 years of administrative experience in educational and creative nonprofits. She relocated from Vermont to St Louis and joined the organization in the Fall of 2022. As Director of Administration, she is the point person for all communications with the organization, manages the finances, scholarship program, fundraising events, volunteers, and board activities. In her personal life, Beth is a professional artist. She is also a resident artist at Soulard Art Gallery and active member of the St Louis creative community.

Beth is excited to work with scholarship recipients, board members, donors, and community leaders to share The Next Step’s mission and see the positive impact it has on lives.