About Us

Art Gangel (Executive Director) is a teacher, author, spiritual life coach, and Brothers in Blue Reentry mentor who enjoys working with people to live from their heart and live a full life. Art is passionate about transformation and has invested nearly two decades learning and experiencing firsthand how transformation occurs. He consciously creates environments of healing and growth. His experience includes over 16 years in the corporate world where he has designed and executed training and managed complex projects for a Fortune 500 company. He lives in Kansas City, Kansas with his wife and two children.


Julie Smith (Operations Director) holds a Master's Degree in Social Work with a concentration in Mental Health from the University of Missouri and a Bachelor's in Communications, with an emphasis in Sociology. Julie's decision to enter the field of social work was driven by her personal belief and experience that restoration is possible through vulnerability, hard work, and authentic community. For her, the N2LIFE Project model is a practical and tangible expression of that belief. As a graduate student, she gained experience with the corrections system and working with the mentally ill through full-time practicums with Fulton State Hospital's Guhleman Forensic Center and with Missouri Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole. Most recently, she served as Senior Social Worker at Truman Medical Center, Hospital Hill, Inpatient Medical Service. As a volunteer in ministry, Julie has facilitated several healing groups for over ten years, and has trained group leaders for the past two.