Meet L’Arche St. Louis
The L’Arche community is much more than those in residence at our homes. We could not achieve our mission without our Assistants, volunteers, friends, and board members.
Core Members
L’Arche communities have a unique culture and language that reflect our values and mission. People with intellectual disabilities in residence at our homes are our “core” members, from the French word coeur meaning “heart,” because they are the center of every L’Arche community.
We have three homes in St. Louis county where up to four Core Members and live-in Assistants share life together. Our fourth home is underway!
Our Administrative Team
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Sam Barrett
Human Resources Manager
Sam moved into St. James House in 2018 and later served as the live-in House Leader. He started in HR in 2021, bringing with him his love for L’Arche spirituality and his experience working in other area agencies.
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Madeline Finucane, MSW
Development & Outreach Manager
Madeline spent a summer with L’Arche St. Louis as an intern in 2013. After living at Sunrise, Joyful, and abroad at L’Arche in Lithuania, she now spends her time working alongside Emma in the office, sharing the mission of L’Arche daily!
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Mike Grigaitis
Property Maintenance Coordinator
“Maintenance Mike” works in the L’Arche office as well as in all of the L’Arche homes and vehicles. A/C broken? Call Mike. Check Engine light on? Call Mike. Need to fix a game you played in the 1970s? Call Mike.
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Amy Hendricks, DPT
Office Administrator & Bookkeeper
Amy started at L’Arche St. Louis as a friend and volunteer then became a live-out Assistant before transitioning into her full-time administrative role. As the Office Administrator, she keeps the whole office as well as our homes running smoothly!
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Meghan Katzenberger
HR Assistant
Meghan joined L'Arche St. Louis in 2017 after relocating from Chattanooga. She has been a live-in Assistant, House Leader, friend of the community, and is excited to now be working in the office. She primarily supports HR, but also helps with grant writing!
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Paula Kilcoyne, MSW
Executive Director, Community Leader
Paula started as Community Leader at L’Arche St. Louis in 2014. She formerly spent 25 years at the L’Arche Daybreak community in Canada where she was mentored in leadership by Fr. Henri Nouwen and Sr. Sue Mosteller, CSJ. She is happy to now be helping L’Arche grow in her hometown of St. Louis!
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Jackie Lee
Development & Finance Associate
Bio coming soon!
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Justin Lorenz, LMSW, MA
Operations Manager
Justin was one of the founding live-in Assistants at L’Arche St. Louis. He has shared life with us in various roles over the years as well as being part of the communities in Jacksonville, FL and Mexico City. As the Operations Manager, he keeps our homes and budget in working order.
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Emma Pieper, MBA
Director of Development
Emma came to L'Arche with 10+ years of fundraising and business development experience across sectors, including politics, higher ed, professional sports, and tech. Now, she is using her experience to raise awareness of L’Arche St. Louis and expand our reach!
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Edward Stoller
Chief People Officer
Edward does it all! In the fall, he’s at career fairs around the region telling students about L’Arche. In the summer, he’s doing lawncare and grilling. All year long he’s an ambassador, helping others, and keeping our community tidy!
Our Programs Team
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Ellyse Amsler
House Leader, Joyful
Bio coming soon!
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Kathie Grant, M.S.Ed.
Family Support Coordinator
Kathie has been a part of L’Arche St. Louis since 2017. She has shared life in our homes as both a live-in and live-out Assistant and as a House Leader. She is now using her creativity and organization to grow our Family Support Program.
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Adien Kupka
House Leader, Sunrise
Bio coming soon!
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Julia Nouse
Quality Coordinator
Julia started at L’Arche St. Louis in 2020 as a live-in Assistant at Joyful House. Julia now spends time helping out at the office and supporting quality care across all of our homes!
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Maria Schroeder, MSW
Senior Quality Advisor
Maria first met L’Arche St. Louis at a lake in New Hampshire in 2013. She moved into Sunrise House as a live-in Assistant shortly after, bringing with her several years of experience at L’Arche in Kansas City. She now guides and supports quality of care and daily life in our homes.
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Erik Strange, LCSW
Director of Programs
Erik returned to L’Arche St. Louis in 2025 as Director of Programs, bringing his heart and love for community back with him! He first joined L’Arche in 2017 as a live-in Assistant and House Leader at Sunrise House. A former Army officer and WashU social work grad, Erik most recently worked at the VA—and now he’s thrilled to be home at L’Arche!
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Adam Witzig
House Leader, St. James
Bio coming soon!
Our Board of Directors
Gregory Anderson, President
Law Office of Gregory Anderson, LLC, Attorney
Kathy Hagedorn
Saint Louis University, retired Vice President for Human Resources
Philip Ludbrook, MD, Secretary
Barnes Jewish Hospital/Washington University,
Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Psychiatry
Mike Schaller, Treasurer
Ampersand Partners, Founding Partner and Controller
Fr. Len Kraus, SJ
White House Jesuit Retreat, Jesuit Priest
Jason Jacobi
Ameren, Substation Database Engineer
Sarah Legett, MD
Cardinal Glennon, retired Pediatric Palliative Care
Don Schreiber
Kirkwood Pharmacy Group, Owner
Julie Harter, Vice President
Special School District of St. Louis County, Student Support Facilitator
Dan Shasserre
Catholic Charities and Nine Network, retired Vice President of Development
Bryan Sokol, Ph. D.
Saint Louis University Department of Psychology, Associate Professor
Nancy Parker Tice
City of Brentwood Ward 1, Alderwoman
Liz Westerhaus, MA
Washington University School of Medicine, Manager of Clinical Trials
Cathleen Albers
Mercy Hospital, retired Nurse Practitioner
Francis Chmelir
PerformLine LLC, Vice President of Email Solutions
Hannah Talley Fiebig, MPA
St. Louis County Board of Elections, Supervisor
Assistant Highlights
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Jenna
After finishing her undergraduate degree at Sacred Heart University, Jenna was called to pursue a role at L’Arche St. Louis. She packed up her belonging and left the east coast to live out L’Arche life. Here is what she has experienced at L’Arche so far.
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Lena
Lena has been a faithful assistant at L’Arche for over 3 years. Between L’Arche St. Louis and L’Arche Chicago, Lena has experienced L’Arche life in many different aspects. Learn what L’Arche has taught Lena.
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Sidney
Sidney came as a Summer Intern during her time at St. Louis University. Now, she is using her experience living in L’Arche in her career as a nurse.
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Erik
Erik spent most of his time at L’Arche as House Leader at Sunrise. L’Arche pushed Erik to pursue a Masters in Social Work and now works as a case manager.
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Adam
Adam joined our community in early 2019 and quickly found his niche. From an assistant role to assistant house leader, Adam has greatly contributed to our community. He even does some yard work at all our homes! Click to see what Adam has to say about L’Arche.
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Julia
Julia joined our team after graduating with a bachelors in Theological Studies and Spanish from Saint Louis University. Learn of all the ways L’Arche has and continues to help her grow.
