Meet Our People

The Saint Jude Retreats Executive Staff

For the first eight years the St. Jude Retreats was run completely by a volunteer staff. The level of dedication that those individuals had is second to none. It is important to understand that very few companies are able to survive with a volunteer staff. But, the fact that The St. Jude Retreats was founded with a total volunteer staff simply points out how well the Saint Jude Program works. Everyone currently involved with the company has shown a depth of dedication that has allowed the Program to help thousands of guests who come through doors suffering from substance abuse problems. Through years of experience and resolve the staff and volunteers of the Saint Jude Retreats and Continuing Education Programs have provided a solution to everyone who has come to the Retreats looking for help. All of us here at The St. Jude Retreats encourage you to e-mail us with any questions about The St. Jude Retreats, or our personal experience with the Saint Jude Program.


Here is our Executive Staff. You can also meet each Retreat House Staff Here:

Executive Retreat StaffMountain Retreat StaffTwin Rivers Retreat StaffReservations Staff

Mark Scheeren
  • Mark Scheeren

    Mark W. Scheeren

    Co-Founder, Chairman, Researcher, & Author

  • Ryan Schwantes

    Ryan Schwantes

    President

  • Michelle Dunbar

    Michelle Dunbar

    Executive Director

  • Brittny Greenhalgh

    Gerald J. Brown

    Co-Founder & Senior Research Fellow

Mark W. Scheeren

Co-Founder, Chairman, Researcher, & Author

Mr. Scheeren is the Chairman and co-founder of Baldwin Research Institute, Inc., the alcohol and drug research company that is the original creator of the non disease, non 12-step model of alcohol and drug education. For over two decades Mr. Scheeren has researched hundreds of different methods, facilities, and cultures worldwide in an effort to discover the many keys to improving the quality of one's life. Out of this research, the most effective residential program in the world was created in 1992: the St. Jude Program....Continue Reading

Ryan Schwantes

President

Mr. Ryan Schwantes joined Baldwin Research Institute, Inc. in 2001 with an expertise in Finance. Since 2001, Mr. Schwantes has managed several aspects of the businesses including Human Resources, Finance, Technology, and Management Training.

In 2006, Mr. Schwantes was elected to Baldwin Research Institute, Inc. Board of Directors and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer of the company. He was named President of the company in December 2008, a role in which he's focused on driving the company's growth and mission to change the entire way people with drug and or alcohol problems are helped worldwide....Continue Reading

Michelle Dunbar

Executive Director

Michelle Dunbar joined St. Jude's in 2002 as a Family Consultant. She brought with her more than 10 years of experience helping people to overcome substance use problems. Mrs. Dunbar attended the State University of College at Cortland and SUNY Empire State College studying psychology and mathematics. Since joining the St. Jude Retreats, Mrs. Dunbar has continued her education, and has taken an active role in researching and developing St. Jude programs

In 2003 Mrs. Dunbar accepted the position of Co-Director of St. Jude's newest program, the Continuing Education Program. As Directors she and Mr. Dan Carter, simultaneously developed the original Continuing Education course curriculum while teaching the program...Continue Reading

Gerald J. Brown

Co-Founder & Senior Research Fellow

Mr. Jerry Brown is a co-founder of Baldwin Research Institute, Inc. He is also BRI's Senior Research Fellow. Throughout his entire career, Jerry has been a researcher, whether it was with General Electric Co., or with one of the several privately owned and publicly traded companies. Jerry has served as chairman of several national computer conferences...Continue Reading