The Team

In January 2023, Joy arrived at Foster Village as an intern and was deeply moved by the tremendous positive impact the resource centers had on the lives of children and families experiencing foster care. After graduating from Brigham Young University – Idaho with a degree in Marriage & Family Studies, specializing in Human Services, she quickly joined the Foster Village Team to continue serving the community she loves. Joy has a passion for helping families be successful and brings to the team a wealth of knowledge gained from decades of working and playing with children from diverse backgrounds.

Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Joy's path crossed with her husband, Shawn, in their church youth group when they were 12 and 13 years old. They quickly became inseparable and in April 2023, celebrated their 30th anniversary, with their six children, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren. Their youngest daughter, Victoria, joined their family as a fictive kinship placement and officially became a Kriese in February 2019. This experience created a special place in Joy's heart and a profound empathy for kinship families and their unique struggles and challenges.

Joy cherishes her family, her church, reading, indulging in a Sonic Cranberry Slush, and savoring delicious tacos as her most treasured things in life.