Board of Directors
Mary Andres Russell, Chair
Retired Professional Development Director, Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions
“A friend introduced me to the Character Council in 2001, just shortly after its founding. I was instantly attracted to the 49 (at that time) character qualities. The focus on character over the past years has been life-changing – so simple, never easy, and surprisingly powerful through its combination of ethics, excellence, and caring. Now more than ever we need this focus on high character to illuminate our lives.”
Diane Brueggemann, Vice-Chair
Retired – Public Safety, University of Cincinnati
“I see the Character Council as the inspiration for a world where through good character each citizen is living the best version of themselves. I imagine a world full of these best versions displaying kindness, compassion, honesty, generosity, positivity, trustworthiness, and creativity. I am inspired and honored to be a part of an organization which is a catalyst for promoting a world encompassed and filled by good character. “
Sandra Szczygiel, Secretary
Retired Mental Health Professional
Sandra Szczygiel is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) who is retired after 47 years of working with children, youth, adults and senior adults struggling with mental health challenges.
During these 47 years, she served as Clinical Director of Samaritan Crisis Care in Dayton, Ohio; Clinical Director of The Urban Child Development Center at The University of Dayton; President of the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Clark, Green, and Madison Counties; Clinical Manager at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (from which she retired) as well as providing direct service and/or clinical supervision for multiple community mental health centers and the Dayton state hospital.
Her passion is working with individuals who are suffering the most from mental disorders, especially children. She enjoys gardening, boating & water sports, and singing in her church’s choir. Sandy is dedicated to helping improve the lives of others which is what led her to serve on the Board of Directors for the Character Council.
Mary Munchak
(Semi) Retired Hospital Laboratory Director
I have been familiar with the character council for many years. I was recently approached to be the Treasurer and allowed to hold the office remotely since I don’t reside in the Cincinnati area. I saw this as a great opportunity to work with an organization that promotes good character in one’s classroom, workplace, and community – something I had always strived to do.
I see good character, as shaped by the 36 characteristics, as the foundation for sustained success. Good character influences how we interact, communicate, and navigate life’s challenges. Good character enables individuals to be more effective leaders and resilient in adversity.
I look forward to helping promote this worthwhile organization!
Dolores J. Lindsay
Founder & Retired CEO, The Healthcare Connection
Mrs. Lindsay has been called the “dean of community health centers in Ohio” and has been a mentor to hundreds of health care professionals, working at local, state, and federal levels to ensure quality health care for those who need it most. Her passion for serving diverse populations in our community has resulted in a model for health centers across the nation. She has been a champion for medical translation services. She has led the Healthcare Connection since 1967 and recently mentored a culturally diverse staff of over 90 at three health centers, four primary care sites in mental health facilities, and three school-based health centers until her recent retirement. The key to her longevity is what the lifelong Catholic refers to as the ninth beatitude, “Blessed are the flexible,” she likes to say, “for they never shall get bent out of shape.” As a character advocate, Mrs. Lindsay partnered with the Character Council to encourage character in the culture of health centers.
“It takes godly, strong, persevering women who are always serving other people,” said Lindsay.
Don Larrick
Retired Principal, Three Rivers Elementary School
“As a former Elementary School Principal, I have seen how Character affects our relationships with others and our own success. Nine years ago, we adopted the Character Council’s “Words of the Month” after an In-Service Program presented by Mary Russell.
We chose the nine words that we feel most impact our young students. As we have practiced these words (Kindness, Cooperation, Honesty, Respect, Compassion, Enthusiasm, Patience, Responsibility and Determination) the climate of our school has changed. There is a sense of Cooperation, Caring, Friendliness, a TEAM spirit, and discipline, and referrals have decreased dramatically.
We believe that ‘Character Matters’ and that ‘Character Begins with Me’.”
Kausha Mehta
Teacher, Heritage Hill Elementary
“A friend introduced me to the Character Council last year. As a third grade teacher at Heritage Hill Elementary in the Princeton City School District, Character Education has always been a priority in my curriculum. Instilling the importance of respecting and valuing each other, regardless of differences, is critical to the emotional development of every child. What I enjoy most about our organization is seeing the continuation and growth of what I teach in the classroom, to other parts of our community.”
Jill Tomey
Retired IT Professional
“I have been a volunteer with the organization almost since the beginning. Now that I am retired, I am excited to join the Board. I started my journey in the anti-bully area and quickly realized that we need to do more things to prevent bullying in the first place, and that’s when I discovered the Character Council and the solution. Through the years, I’ve watched Character Education grow from simple programs to the foundation for improving an organization’s culture. These can be as small as families or as large as corporations. I am eager to see where we take it next!”
Rev. Dr. Roger Braun
Retired United Methodist Clergy
Chair, Faith and Character
I have been serving congregations, both large and small, for over forty years. During that time, I have learned over and over again the importance of character for people of faith. Since we are to be witnesses to our faith at all times, it is vitally important for people to see and experience our Christian character. All our words mean nothing to the people we are trying to influence for our faith if our character is out of line with our words. The character we exhibit to others is our witness.
The idea behind the character council’s mission to improve the character of people by teaching and lifting up one of 36 characteristics monthly to improve the lives of people and help us all thrive in life is the same as the message that can be said about the principles of living a life of Christ-centeredness. All the characteristics of the Character Council can be found in the Bible. They are included in the life of Jesus and how Jesus himself dealt with people while he was on this earth. People of faith can deepen their walk with God and their closeness to Christ Jesus by claiming those characteristics and living them day by day.
Stacey Hill-Simmons
Superintendent & VP of Education
Best Point Education and Behavioral Health
In 2025, I attended the Character Council Awards Ceremony in support of a very close sister friend. I was literally blown away at the gift of attendance I received from my friend. I had never been this close to the Character Council and its foundational, transformative beliefs. That very day, I decided to commit to serving the organization in any way that I could.
Ana Martinez
Director of Diversity Engagement and Inclusion,
Badin High School
Ana was introduced to the Character Council organization several years ago through a collaborative effort to share information and resources with the community. That partnership deepened her appreciation for the organization’s mission and the transformative power of character education. In 2025, Ana was honored as a recipient of the Heroes of Character Award, recognizing her dedication to promoting values that positively impact individuals and communities.
As a people-centered leader, Ana understands the profound value of good character and how it can shape lives. She believes that when values such as kindness, compassion, empathy, and love are demonstrated, their impact extends far beyond the individual practicing them to those who receive them. Ana is passionate about witnessing the growth and transformation that occur when people treat one another with dignity and care, and she continues to lead with the belief that strong character can take people a long way, personally, professionally, and collectively.
Michael P. Daly,
Emeritus Board Member
Character Council Founder
Owner, Estate Planning Institute
Michael is the owner and founder of the Estate Planning Institute and Founder of the Character Council. Michael & his wife Pamela began the Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky out of their driving passion to see lives improved through good character and a clear conscience. Michael knows firsthand what it means to struggle with character issues, having worked for many years on improving his own character. During his youth, he was what he now considers “an energy taker” and was expelled from several high schools. Because of his own struggles, he brings a unique perspective to the Council and can reach out to the youth of this community to assist them in changing their lives and investing in their own character.
