Meet Our Leaders

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I can see the perfect partnership where you're bringing the universal language of sport and then she's carrying the spirit of hope. And then together through Ignite U1, you're going to help break those cycles!"

Sharon Braxton ~ Associate Producer and Host ~ Makeup Lessons For Life

Judy Fox
Founder and President, Ignite International
Judy is the President and face of Ignite International, Inc. and the primary voice of the brand. Her 35 years of global impact through coaching is evidenced by her induction to four halls of fame. Judy's expertise in training and mentorship complements her innate ability to connect with audiences across a wide range of cultures, contexts, and generations. For Judy's full bio, click here.
Katie Phipps
Director of Strategy, Ignite U1
With her journey of enduring hope featured by Dateline NBC and Killer Affair - Oxygen Network, (and others), Katie is the inspiration behind Ignite U1. She brings more than three decades of relatable experience to our program content and team growth. Katie's journey is evidence that purpose is sometimes discovered through life's darkest steps. For Katie's full bio, click here.

Hear Our Story

Audio used with permission from Legacy Films Development, Inc.

For Judy and Katie's full episodes visit MakeUp Lessons For Life.

Judy Fox

"What you wish to ignite in others must first burn within yourself."
~ Aurelius Augustinus ~

A former NCAA Division I volleyball coach, Judy Fox's 34 years of global impact is evidenced by her induction to four halls of fame, including: East Stroudsburg Area School District Meritorious Hall of Fame, ESASD Athletic Hall of Fame (team), Houghton University Hall of Honor, and the National Christian College Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Judy's fingerprint extends across generations, cultures, and nationalities. She has trained leaders in more than a dozen nations to empower the next generation through the universal language of sport. Judy is a sought-after mentor, speaker, and visionary partner by national teams, sports federations, Olympic committees, and numerous NGOs.

Judy is the recipient of service awards that span the globe, including a Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Army who named an outbound flight "Operation Ignite" in honor of Ignite's support of the DFW Military Personnel Assistance Point.

Judy's personal mantra "it's all about relationship" has positioned Ignite International as a trusted visionary partner to leadership and youth development agencies across the globe even as she has personally mentored hundreds of athletes and coaches. Judy is a sought-after speaker for athletic, leadership, and empowerment events. Her ability to connect with audiences of all contexts ignites hope that is relevant, reachable, and real.

Judy is a native of East Stroudsburg, PA, and resides in Dallas, TX. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Houghton University (NY) and a Master of Sports Science from the United States Sports Academy (AL).

"In a world of compromise and decaying moral standards, it is refreshing when you come across an individual who has dedicated her life to living at a standard that is high enough for others to look up to, but close enough for them to reach."

Keith and Sara Davis

Former NFL Athlete | 4th Runner-Up Mrs. Texas 2019

Katie Phipps

"The paradox of trauma is that it has both the power to destroy and the power to transform and resurrect." ~ Peter Levine ~

Raised in a fatherless home with her only consistent mentors the harsh trio of trauma, trial, and error, Katie Phipps personifies the power to overcome. As her mother strove through severe addiction and alcoholism, Katie endured unrelenting trauma. As a teen, while her peers prepared for college, Katie prepared to raise her second child. In her twenties, life went for the jugular as Katie was wrongfully charged with a significant crime. She spent 15 months in jail insistent of her innocence until evidence the prosecution was sure would lead to her conviction, instead reversed course. The truth would not be denied. Katie was released.

This chapter of life, though excruciating, brought Katie to an intersection with purpose and birthed a new future. Just over four years removed from that jail cell, though having dropped out of school in junior high, Katie broke a generational barrier as the first person in her family line to earn a college diploma. She holds a degree in Legal Studies and now impacts her community as she works in the field of criminal defense. The prosecutor who could have determined the length of her days has not only emphatically and publicly apologized but has also offered compelling support toward her aspirations.

Katie's case has been featured by Dateline NBC, Killer Affair - Oxygen Network, and other high-profile media productions.

The epitome of a life redeemed, Katie is the inspiration behind Ignite U1 (a.k.a. Ignite You First). Her personal experiences offer strategic relevance. But it is her authenticity that leaves an undeniable impact and her compassion a residue of hope. Katie is a captivating communicator cased within the beauty of gracious strength. She is the evidence of the paradox, choosing resurrection rather than accepting fate as a statistic.

On June 1, 2021, Ignite International proudly announced Katie as the 2021 Wynner of the Year. Katie is the inaugural honoree for this highest annual signature award, a component of Ignite's Lori Wynn Legacy Plan.

"Katie's story is not a black or white story nor a male or female story. It is a human story."

Noble Crawford, Jr.

Co-Founder, HOPE Farm

What People Are Saying

Jacky Toruño
Principal Owner, Above All Cleaning | TN
Former Athlete - Nicaragua National Women's Volleyball Team
I often say that if we had more 'Ignites' around the world, we could change the world. Now that I live in the USA and see the many issues here, I believe that even more.
I lost a close friend to an overdose, and I can only wish a program like Ignite U1 had been available for her. She would have found hope, like I did, through Ignite and she would have been inspired to choose a different future. I am so thankful that others who are desperate for hope will see role models like Katie using their experiences to ignite purpose. Lives are truly being changed by Ignite U1.
Noble Crawford
Co-Founder | Hope Farm | TX
Ignite U1 is no stranger to encouraging those who need a fresh perspective. Katie's story is not a black or white story, nor a male or female story. It's a human story.
The tools of sports concepts and testimonials that Ignite U1 uses to ignite you to go to the next level are very effective particularly because sports and recreational activities are a universal language that provides entree into the lives of those who have experienced trauma or who live on the margins of life. It's a setup to introduce Truth into their lives and no one does that better than Ignite U1.
Heather Davis
Principle Owner, HL Artist & Designer
Helping my kids was one of the critical ingredients in getting my own life back on the right path to reentry. Sports and the support system it provides are what propelled my children to success during the time I was unable to be there for them physically. I am now a small business owner, and thankfully my kids are well on their way to productive careers in respected professional fields. I refused to allow my incarceration to become a cycle. I believe firmly that a program like Ignite U1 is very much needed to help moms like me keep our kids from falling thru the cracks.