Our Team
Marie Myers – Board President
Marie and her husband Tommie have a blended family of five beautiful daughters with ages ranging from 31 years old to 5 years old. Their youngest daughter Cameron-Jean (CJ) is rocking an extra chromosome. Marie became aware of Cl's Down Syndrome diagnosis through early prenatal testing. Having no experience and very little knowledge of Down Syndrome, she spent the duration of her pregnancy soaking up information. Her goal was to ensure CJ was given every opportunity to live her best life. Marie is a fervent advocate for acceptance and inclusion for her daughter and other individuals with Down Syndrome. She strongly believes that acceptance and inclusion are personal rights of all people, regardless of ability level. She has always been passionate about advocating for children in need. Marie served as volunteer guardian ad litem for children in foster care due to abuse and neglect. Additionally, she led several community service projects assisting low-income schools and families. Marie has an associate degree in paralegal studies from Midland Technical College and a bachelor’s in business administration from Drexel University. She is a Senior Project Coordinator for Johnson Controls Fire Protection.
T Beck – Board Vice President
T is a mother of 4. Her youngest daughter Katie has Down Syndrome. Katie’s arrival introduced her family to a whole new world. T quickly became Katie’s biggest advocate; pushing the boundaries to help Katie reach her goals. Through a lot of hard work, Katie was able to realize her dream of college… Go Tigers!! T has held several positions in the local Down Syndrome Association over the years. T has been active in the Special Olympics community coaching bowling and most recently basketball. T has an MBA from Southern Wesleyan University. She currently works in Human Resources / Training.
Kim Jenkins – Board Treasurer
Kim Jenkins is an accountant by trade with a passion for creating awareness and supporting inclusion for the Down Syndrome community. This passion was brought to light after she gave birth to her daughter, Charlotte, in January of 2020. Before learning of Charlotte's prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome, Kim had extremely limited knowledge and awareness of Down syndrome, and while she still has much to learn, she enjoys sharing her family's journey with friends and acquaintances. Kim graduated from The University of North Carolina-Wilmington with a Master of Science in accountancy in 2011. She has worked in both the public accounting and private internal audit industries before settling in her current industry of captive insurance in 2015.
Michelle Tonkonogy – Board Secretary
Michelle moved to Charleston in January 2021 after needing a change post-pandemic and has no plans of leaving Charleston! Michelle graduated from Bridgewater State University in 2019 with a degree in Psychology and Childhood Studies. Throughout her life, Michelle has been actively involved with numerous philanthropic organizations and has always found herself back working with individuals with disabilities. In college, Michelle founded her University’s chapter of Best Buddies, as well serving as the local coordinator for a Special Olympics program. During this time, Michelle grew close friendships with many individuals but one in particular changed her life. She became fast friends with Amanda, who is a woman in her late twenties with Down Syndrome. Michelle and Amanda have been best friends for 8 years and continue to talk daily about all things Taylor Swift. Michelle is excited to join Gigi’s and help bring this amazing organization to Charleston.
Lynze Sike – Board Member
Lynze is a devoted wife and mother of two girls, Mati and Carly. She has always had a love and passion for individuals with special needs. While studying Special Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, she became an active member of the Beyond Academics program. This amazing program's volunteers educate and mentor young men and women with special needs. In her position as a mentor, she taught these men and women important life skills and helped them with attending college classes with their typical peers. After college, Lynze had a career shift and ended up working in the hospitality industry for several years. She held management roles in fine dining establishments, and she also helped bring a new restaurant concept to life before starting her dream job as a stay-at-home mom. The news of Carly's prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome was undoubtedly shocking, but believing everything happens for a reason, Lynze knew that this was a calling. This would be her life's calling. She has a deep love for advocating, educating, and meeting wonderful people within the community. Bringing a GiGi's Playhouse to Charleston is what this momma feels she was destined to do to make her mark in the world. She hopes that Gigi's of Charleston can become a home away from home for our local community. Here, everyone will be accepted and adored for who they are, not by how many chromosomes they may have.
Leah Coppo – Board Member
Leah moved with her family to Charleston in June 2020 because of her husband’s military orders. For 21 years they raised their two amazing kids, Brady and Emerson, all over the country. They decided to make Charleston home after her husband retired from the Coast Guard in October 2021. Leah loves to make memories with her family, travel, hike, go to the beach, and cuddle with her rescue dog, Nico. Leah’s niece, Naya, received her Down Syndrome diagnosis before she was born and has spent her childhood as a part of the Gigi’s Playhouse crew in Michigan. Leah has loved watching Naya grow and thrive through her experiences at Gigi’s and is so incredibly excited to be a part of the team to bring this incredible program here.
Brian Hartmann – Board Member
Brian Hartmann is a founding partner of Granite Bridge Wealth Management with more than 20 years of business experience, including an early career in e-commerce, and subsequent years building a financial advisory practice at a prominent financial institution. His experience inspired him to bring his practice to an independent platform, where he serves families across the country. In addition to his role within GiGi's Playhouse of Charleston, Brian's board experience includes roles as Chairman of the Robert Wood Johnson Hamilton Hospital Foundation Board, Member of Royal Alliance Associated National Advisory Board and he currently serves as a board member of Osaic's National Advisory Board.