Battle big feelings, together.

My name is Christina Devine, and I am the founder and Board President of Brave Kids United, Inc.

As President, my role is to lead our board, set the vision for the organization, and make sure Brave Kids United grows into what it’s meant to be — a nonprofit that helps kids everywhere find tools they actually want to use to work through their big feelings.

Outside of Brave Kids United, I am a CPA and business owner. I bring experience in leadership, finance, nonprofit operations, and building the kind of structure a growing nonprofit needs.

But mostly, I am a mom. I know how hard it is to watch a child struggle with something you can’t fix by loving them harder. And I know how powerful it is when they start to believe: I can do hard things.

I’ve watched it happen in my own home. I am happy to say my daughters have found calm, peace, and happiness in moments that used to feel like storms — and they’re becoming more aware of their feelings and more confident in their ability to work through the hard ones with each day.

That’s what I want for every family and every kid.

This isn’t a one-person mission. Our founding board is a group of brilliant, warm, deeply capable people who each bring something Brave Kids United needs to become what it’s meant to be. Their stories, their skills, and their heart are what will make this real.

Hello, everyone! My name is Tara Striegel, and I am honored to serve as the board’s Vice President and Clinical Advisory Chair.

I have worked with children for more than a decade, helping them understand, express, and regulate their emotions while building healthy coping and social skills that support their success in all settings.

As a clinical mental health counselor, I am passionate about advocating for mental health, empowering individuals of all ages and families, and expanding access to quality counseling services and supports.

I look forward to working alongside this board to support our profession and advocate for the mental health needs of those we serve.

Empowering individuals and families. Supporting the mental health needs of those we serve.

Hello! My name is Christina Anderson. I am thrilled to be able to be a part of the Brave Kids United Board, serving as Secretary.

Mental health awareness has always been close to my heart. In my teens, I was diagnosed with Bipolar and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, as well as having many family members and friends that struggle in one way or another. In my twenties, it felt like finding helpful resources and educating myself around mental illness was all up to me.

It has been a personal goal of mine to help squash the stigma around mental illness, which has made me extra grateful to be a part of this wonderful opportunity.

I am a proud mother to two daughters (18 & 13 currently) who are trying to navigate a world that never turns off. With social media everywhere and the expectations of always being tethered to a device, mental health awareness and learning coping mechanisms has never been more important. I look forward to helping change the landscape of children’s mental health resources and helping to educate parents as well as the children experiencing these diagnoses and feelings.

Hello, everyone! My name is Abby Reece, and I am grateful to serve on the board of Brave Kids United while leading the organization’s marketing and social media efforts.

I am currently a senior at Purdue University majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences with a minor in Psychology. Over the past four years, I have learned about child development, emotional well-being, family relationships, and the many experiences that shape a child’s growth. Being part of Brave Kids United gives me the exciting opportunity to apply that knowledge in a hands-on way while continuing to learn and help children and families.

Outside of school, I am an All Star cheer coach at ICE Allstars, where I work closely with athletes ranging from ages 4 to 18. Coaching has strengthened my love for working with children and has shown me how important confidence, encouragement, emotional support, and healthy coping skills are both inside and outside the gym.

Having been diagnosed with ADHD at a young age, I understand firsthand what it can be like to manage challenges while balancing school, competitive cheer, college cheerleading, coaching, and a career in sales. My plate is always full, and I truly would not want it any other way. These experiences have taught me perseverance, adaptability, and the importance of finding tools that make difficult moments feel more manageable.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to combine my education, personal experiences, creativity, and passion for working with children to help Brave Kids United grow and reach families everywhere.