President/CEO
Tye Johnson is an educator, critically acclaimed artist, and health coach. She received a bachelors in studio art/graphic design from Michigan State University and worked as a graphic designer/marketing specialist at the educational media company United Learning. She was instrumental in the start-up of their video streaming brand, now owned by Discovery Education. She holds a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from DePaul University, a Master of Science in Educational Media Design
and Technology from Full
Sail University, and health coach certification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN).

Christopher Kerstein is a Vice President at The Northern Trust Company working with investments as manager of performance anlysts for North America. Graduating from Oakland University in 2003 with a B.S. in Business Administration, concentration in Finance, he moved one month later from Rochester Hills, Michigan to Chicago to begin his career in Finance. After two years working at Scudder Investments as an investment associate, he took a five month hiatus to sail on Lake Michigan. Following this brief tour, he began working at The Northern Trust Company and has remained
there since.
Vice President
Deidra Jackson is a Divisional Vice President of Enterprise Marketing at Blue Cross Blue Shield, focusing on driving business results. She is an expert in the Health Care industry, helping organizations successfully navigate the new healthcare environment. Leveraging her degree in Operations Management and Information Systems from Northern Illinois University, she has spent the last 13 years of her career focusing on process improvement, system implementations, and KPI metric development and analysis. Deidra currently lives in Oak Park IL with her husband and 4 children, thoroughly enjoying the art of life.
Daryl L. Thompson is a computer engineer specializing in computer security. He consults with energy companies, banks, hospitals, and other institutions in assessing computer networks and implementing solutions mitigating security vulnerabilities. Daryl holds a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science from Michigan State University and a Masters Degree in Computer Engineering from University of Michigan.
Treasurer
Landis G. Fryer began his career in education after graduating from Dartmouth College and working for several years as an undergraduate Admission Officer there and at Northwestern University. While earning his Master of Science in Higher Education from the University of Pennsylvania, he co-launched a start-up academic and personal skills center for high school students in Seoul, South Korea. After working with CACS of Dinpoint in Shanghai, China, Mr. Fryer, a sought-after speaker, completed his PhD in Comparative and International Education at Loyola University Chicago where his focus was the development of global citizenship education
and leadership.
Jeff Weber is a life-long learner and educator. For the past thirty-two years he has been a public servant in the field of education – most of those years being in Oak Park, IL. Within those years he has garnered numerous nominations and accolades including recognition from the Kohl Foundation, Illinois Teachers of Mathematics, the Golden Apple Foundation, and the state of Illinois as a runner-up for the Teacher of the Year. Jeff is a triple graduate of Concordia University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and dual Master’s Degrees in Reading and Administration. When not teaching, Jeff enjoys theater (both seeing and performing) and playing competitive softball and tennis.
Karen Fogg is an elementary educator and graduate of Loyola University Chicago. She has taught for over 25 years in South Central Los Angeles, Chicago Public Schools, and most currently in Oak Park, IL. She has been a 3-time finalist for the prestigious Golden Apple Award, international teacher leader for arts integration through an Illinois Arts Foundation grant, teacher's union representative, and the director of her school's drama club. She is also an avid traveler and volunteered at Salaam Baalak Trust, working with street boys in New Delhi where she taught theater, poetry, and creative movement. Karen is passionate about education, art, people,
and life!
ABOUT US
Founded by Tye Johnson and Deidra Jackson, More heART Foundation,(formerly Tye Johnson Artistry/TJA), is a non-profit grounded in the vision that direct engagement with art can transform the world. We aim to connect a wider audience and open up spaces where the marginalized and disenfranchised can be seen and heard through the arts.
Taking an artistic approach to social reform and change, More heART offers programming for the community-at-large that includes travel experiences that highlight cultural and art awareness. We also showcase unique artwork that sheds light and promotes community and hope. Through workshops and fundraising for direct care organizations, we seek to improve health and wellness outcomes for the marginalized.
Our passion is to empower people to be who they were created to be.
Our mission is to provide art experiences that inspire and ignite change.
Our vision is that direct engagement with the arts can change the world.
More heART Foundation, Inc is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to More heART are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Our tax identification number is 46-4032723.
OUR WORLD CHANGING BOARD
