Our Team
Howie Rosenberg, Executive Director
Howie Rosenberg has served as Executive Director of GiGi’s Playhouse of Atlanta since 2017. Howie has a passion for working with children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As Executive Director his responsibilities include strategic development of innovative programs, fundraising, outreach, community building and facilitating relationships to allow GiGi’s Playhouse to be a key factor in the community at large.
Howie is a seasoned professional in the non-profit community as he previously served 20 years at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta in leadership, management and program development. Howie is a graduate from the University of Georgia and lives in Johns Creek, GA with his wife Kim and dog Kody. Their oldest son, Aaron, graduated from UGA as a fourth generation Bulldog with a degree in economics and finance and their youngest son Jonah is studying Astrophysics at the University of Chicago.
Jennifer Rackley, Operations Manager
Jennifer came to GiGi’s in 2021 with 13 years’ experience running youth sports and special events for the City of Chamblee Parks & Recreation Department. She holds a Certificate in Nutrition and Healthy Living from Cornell and has been using that knowledge to lead the GiGiFIT and GiGi's Kitchen elements of our adult EPIC program and GiGi's Kitchen Kids & Teens. While this mother of three does not have a child with Down syndrome, she has a degree in Elementary Education from Converse College and several years’ experience in preschools and daycares. Jen possesses a lifelong love and dedication to caring for and educating children. She and her husband, Chuck, and their three daughters, Mia, Mik, and Charley live in Johns Creek with their bulldog, Brodie
Elizabeth Joyce, Program & Volunteer Coordinator
Elizabeth joined the GiGi’s Atlanta staff in 2023. She grew up in Johns Creek and now lives in Alpharetta with her husband, Hunter, and their two dogs, Sadie & Stella. Elizabeth was a special education teacher for over 6 years and taught both pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. She received a degree in Special Education from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). During her free time, you’ll find her watching or attending sporting events and doing activities with her husband and two dogs, Sadie and Stella.
Kim Knight, Education Director
A former educator of 17 years, Kim taught Spanish for several years before she moved into administration, where she became very involved in the Special Education department. Little did she know then that she would have a child with Down Syndrome. Now she is so grateful for the training she received! She served a 5-year term on the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta Board and she continues to work closely with DSAA to welcome new moms with Jack’s Basket and planning Mom’s Nights Out. What she loves to do is read IEP’s. Many think it’s crazy, but she loves a good (and a bad!) IEP and thrives in helping guide families in the IEP process before they need to seek legal help. She also helps run our tutoring program, matching students with volunteer tutors to set them up for success! Kim has a great passion for helping our families.
Board of Directors
President - Marnie Plaia
Vice President - Danielle Higley
Secretary – Allyson Mize
Treasurer – Miles Knight
Board Members:
Andi Fox
Orit Levy-Dor
Sydney Shine
Marci Schlemmer
Michael Walsh
Self-Advocate Board Member – Myles Henderson
Board Members Emeritus:
Adrienne Mulligan
Marti Blincoe
Jill Neff
Scott Jeffries
Gretchen Lehane
Eileen Scofield
Angie Champsaur