Growing Together at the GiGi’s Annual Leadership Conference

Our staff and board members from GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta recently attended the GiGi’s Annual Leadership Conference, joining Playhouses from across the country for an inspiring weekend of learning, connection, and celebration. From sessions on future planning and inclusion to powerful keynote messages and a legendary dance party, our team came home energized and full of ideas!

Amelia, Program Coordinator

“My favorite session was the one about future planning for adults with Down syndrome. It really highlighted the importance of living trusts and making choices that keep things simple and empowering for the adult with a disability. The speaker will actually be in Atlanta this March, so I’ve reached out to see if she might share her presentation with our families!”

Amelia also shared that her sister Katherine’s favorite session was the STEM Lab, where she made a lava lamp and later explained density to her dad during their car ride from Schaumburg to Champaign—talk about learning in action!

Dani, Volunteer Coordinator

“My favorite sessions were those given by Katie Frank from The Down Syndrome Institute in Chicago about supporting positive behavior and sensory processing strategies. I learned how important it is to address behavior challenges early and consistently, and that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach—but the right interventions really do work for our community.”

Dani is diving deeper into these topics through a recommended book that’s helping her better understand how our population’s brains work and how behavior can often be misinterpreted.

Elisha, Self-Advocate Board Member

“I loved the sessions on marketing and social media—but most of all, I loved being with my peers! The dance party felt like being in a club, and it was so much fun talking with people from other Playhouses and celebrating when we received awards for Atlanta!”

Her enthusiasm and joy perfectly capture the spirit of GiGi’s Playhouse, learning, connecting, and celebrating together.

Andi, Board Member & GiGiFIT Program Lead

“My favorite session was Expanding Inclusion: The Gen G Approach in Schools. We learned how local Playhouses can partner with school districts to promote inclusion and how to advocate for our own children in the classroom.”

This session reinforced how powerful collaboration between families, schools, and Playhouses can be in creating more inclusive communities.

Jacqueline & Richard, Elisha’s Parents

“Our main takeaways revolve around the heartfelt passion and laser focus displayed by every Playhouse. Whether open for years or just launching, everyone we met shared awe-inspiring stories rooted in the same unwavering mission.”

They highlighted three themes that stood out throughout the conference:

• The Power of Passion: Every conversation reflected the deep love and dedication behind each Playhouse’s work.
• Three Pillars of Purpose: Educate. Inspire. Believe.
• Strategic Insights: Sessions on tools like Hootsuite and marketing reinforced the intentionality behind GiGi’s Playhouse’s national strategy and impact.

They also shared how proud they were to see Sheryl Arno and Howie lead a session demonstrating the strong partnership between GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta and the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta (DSAA)—a shining example of collaboration in action.

Miles, Board President

Miles was inspired by the keynote speaker, Kennith Allen Thomas, and shared some powerful takeaways that resonated deeply with all of us:

• Not in control but are in charge
• Use your gift to make the shift
• Leadership starts with heart posture, not position
• When life shakes you, it’s not punishment—it’s preparation
• Grace comes before correction
• Resilience is not about bouncing back—it’s about breakthrough

He also enjoyed sessions on board stewardship and formal planning, emphasizing the importance of intentional leadership and long-term sustainability.

Celebrating at the Awards Banquet

The conference concluded with a night to remember at the Saturday Awards Banquet, where our Atlanta team was recognized for excellence and impact!
We were honored to receive the SOE Champion Award for achieving three Center of Excellence Awards and three Strong Awards in our Standards of Execution—an incredible testament to our team’s commitment to quality and consistency across all areas of operation.

We were also humbled to receive the Community Impact Award, celebrating the meaningful difference GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta continues to make through programs, partnerships, and advocacy in our local community.

These recognitions belong to everyone who supports our Playhouse—our participants, families, volunteers, donors, and partners—thank you for helping us make this impact possible!

From practical tools to heartfelt inspiration, our team left Chicago united by a renewed sense of purpose and community. We’re excited to bring back new ideas, resources, and connections to strengthen our programs and continue empowering individuals with Down syndrome to reach their full potential.

Together, we are truly #GenerationG: accepting, generous, and kind.