Born and raised in Turkey, Ira DeWitt’s journey has spanned continents, industries, and callings.

After living in Canada, she moved to the United States to study at Saint Louis University, where she earned a master’s degree and a PhD in educational psychology. She later returned to serve her alma mater as an adjunct professor of psychology. In the mid-1990s, she married Bill DeWitt III, president of the St. Louis Cardinals.

In the early 2000s, an introduction to music icon Nelly launched Ira into an entirely new arena. She co-founded Notifi Records, an independent urban label that went on to secure a major distribution deal with Universal Music Group. As one of the only white women executives in the urban music industry, she helped revitalize the careers of R&B stars like Ginuwine and Johnny Gill over a 15 year period.

A third-generation jeweler, Ira then turned her creative energy toward faith-based design, launching a line of fine gold jewelry including exquisite Holy Rosary necklaces.

As a creative evangelizer of the Catholic faith, she founded SAINT Candles, whose creations honor the Mother of God and more than 25 saints. In 2024, she expanded the brand with the SAINT Catholic Lifestyle App. Ira also hosts the Beyond SAINT podcast, where she interviews leading Catholic voices and cultural influencers.