PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER

After Piloting the Characters and earning a National Promising Practice Award, Joni decided to share her Ph.d. Passion, Heart and Determination to Make A Difference In The Life Of A Child.

Joni had always volunteered in her three children’s schools as a Room Mom, a Gym Mom, the Bulletin Board Lady and even found a paying position as the Snack Lady in the Lunch Room of the Jr. High in Johnsburg. After a year, the Principal asked if she wanted to be an Inclusion Aide for a disabled youth and took on the new position. A few years later she took on a new title as a member of the Reading Team in an elementary school and eventually taught preschool for a few years.

Having an opportunity to pilot the characters is what prompted her to take a leave of absence from the school system to form the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization named Characters of Character. The characters earned a National Promising Practice Award in 2005 and in 2007 is where the journey continued.

Since 2007 she has published over thirty books with the characters, brought all nine of the characters to life in costumes, taught Mommy & Me and youth painting classes at schools, libraries and park districts to introduce and engage conversations through art, literacy and character building lessons. In 2021 when Covid arrived these opportunities lessened and the organization designed a Superhero Character Building activity box. We soon discovered the need and appreciation of the boxes which were donated to Children’s Hospitals in Illinois and Tennessee. The Nashville Predators were the first donor to bring them to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville. This is how we arrived in Tennessee taking this as a sign to move and share our work there.

VICE CHAIRMAN

Tina Kreischer is the Founder and Kingdom Emissary of Rise & Reign, a faith-based leadership and personal development organization dedicated to empowering women to live with purpose, confidence, and integrity. She is the creator of the REGAL EMPIRE™ Leadership Model, designed to help women of faith align identity, values, and calling with practical action and service.

A dynamic speaker, visionary leader and authentic mentor, Tina equips others to claim their identity as daughters of the King of kings, and rise in spiritual and personal excellence by integrating faith, character, and stewardship into every area of life. Her work focuses on transforming mindset, elevating self-image, inspiring leadership, and cultivating legacy through intentional living and Kingdom principles.

It is her heartbeat to lead others to accept their role as daughters of the King, live intentionally in their divine design, walk boldly in their purpose, and lead lives that reflect grace, strength, and personal relationship with their Heavenly Father.

Warm Regards,
Tina Kreischer                                              

TREASURER

Darby Turman is a CPA and an Audit Manager at Elliott Davis, an accounting firm based in the southeast. He is excited to join the board of directors for Characters of Characters because he believes in the positive impact that learning good character traits can have on a child’s life in the present, but also set them up for success in the future.

SECRETARY

Krystal found a passion for children as a teen being a babysitter and later as a full-time nanny and assistant teacher at a local daycare near Chicago. Moving to the Tennessee area in 2013, she welcomed her first child. She began using the Characters of Character curriculum to help strengthen character building skills not only in her daughter, but within the household. Krystal obtained a Bachelor of Social Work from Austin Peay State University in 2020, graduating with honors. During this time Krystal focused her studies on ACE’s (Adverse Childhood Experiences), addiction, and mental health. She was fortunate to intern with our local state representative, working on the secretarial side of state legislature. Here she was able to understand the inner workings of state government and understand the importance of macro work. Because of this work, Krystal was honored with TN House Resolution 328, specifically citing her dedication and hard work, in the 2020 legislative session. Krystal began working in crisis care on a COVID-19 response team, which lead to her current position as a crisis counselor on a multi-state suicide prevention lifeline.

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

Claire is currently a student at Belmont University studying Music (Classical Voice). Claire is passionate about helping others and sharing her love of music. She loves working with children and hopes to do so in her future career as a therapist. She holds several leadership roles on campus including Belmont's Student Government Association and Panhellenic Council. In her spare time, Claire enjoys spending time outdoors, going to concerts, and exploring art exhibits with friends.

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

Over the last 10 years, she has served as Treasurer on several non-profit boards in the McHenry County area including Huntley High School Fine Arts, Huntley Grid Iron Club, and Huntley Community Radio. She is happy to join the advisory board for Characters of Character because she believes in programs that leverage the positive use of media to enhance the growth of a child's mind, heart and spirit.

Not to mention that Ann is a published children's book author, too!