This week, we honor Danny Ludeman, who recently passed away after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. A visionary leader, Danny made everyone feel seen and valued. Though not a St. Louis native, he embraced the city with unmatched passion. His episode was #18 of the Something Extra podcast, which aired in February of 2019. More than 300 episodes later, his message still resonates. Greg and Lisa Nichols, along with their daughter Ally, share a deep connection with Danny, remembering his quiet acts of kindness. After retiring from Wells Fargo, Danny attended seminary to equip himself to help others, then led Concordance Academy to new heights. His legacy lives on. We invite you to revisit this powerful conversation.
Bio: Danny Ludeman, former president and CEO of Wells Fargo Advisors, provided executive leadership for the nation’s third largest full-service brokerage firm. During his tenure, revenues increased from $300 million to over $10 billion…profits from $35 million to $2 billion…and financial advisors from 950 to more than 17,000 in some 4,000 locations nationwide.
Danny began his career with Virginia-based brokerage firm Wheat First Securities. Through acquisitions and mergers, he held positions of increasing responsibility within several areas of the organization before being named to his current role in 1999. Following Wells Fargo’s acquisition of Wachovia Corporation in 2008, he was appointed to the Management Committee of Wells Fargo & Company.
Active in industry and civic affairs, he served on the boards of the Securities Industry Association (former Chairman), United Way of Greater St. Louis, Stifel, Missouri Botanical Garden, The Muny, CityArchRiver 2015, Washington University, University of Richmond, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Opera Theatre of St. Louis and Variety – the Children’s Charity and Eskimo Pie. Ludeman also chaired the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association and was a member of Civic Progress, St. Louis.
Danny was the Chairman and CEO of Concordance, an expansion of Project COPE, which assists individuals in successfully re-integrating into society from prison. This nonprofit is the first of its kind in America, a true public, private and academic partnership offering holistic integrated services including cognitive behavioral programs, mental health and substance abuse treatment, employment readiness, employment, housing and mentoring. It will help restore thousands of individuals, families and communities thus contributing to the safety and vitality of the St. Louis community.
Danny received a Masters degree in Business Administration from William and Mary and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Virginia Commonwealth. Danny’s wife Susan is an active supporter of St. Louis community activities and causes and is a graduate of Sweet Brian College. Her volunteer efforts include service to Holy Trinity Catholic School where she played a leadership role in the establishment and expansion of a school library. They have four children, Danny Jr., Allie, David and Caroline.
Something Extra: "Humility would be one that comes to mind."
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