Our Team
George Ramsay – Board President
George Ramsay was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. He is currently a Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor at Telos Capital Partners. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in Finance and Management. He then furthered his education at the College of Charleston earning his MBA. He has served in multiple positions on executive committees including President of the Professional Palmetto Society of Charleston. His uncle, George Philp Ramsay Jr., had Down Syndrome and recently passed away in 2019 at the age of 58. When he was born in 1961, his parents were advised to leave him in the hospital as he would be a tremendous burden to their family and never be able to contribute to society. Despite that advice, they refused to do so and brought George home. They raised him seamlessly with their three other children and committed themselves to fiercely advocate for the mentally disabled. They began by seeking out other families who faced the same challenges and realized they were not alone. These families started the first special needs kindergarten in the state, where George Jr. was in the first class. George Jr. participated in the Special Olympics and went on to serve on the South Carolina Special Olympics Board of Directors. George is excited to be a part of this great organization and follow in his Grandparent’s footsteps advocating and increasing the options for families.
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.
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.
Will Motley – Board Treasurer
Will is a proud Citadel graduate who has called Charleston home ever since, where he lives with his wife and their three children. He is a Principal with Johnson Lambert LLP, bringing years of expertise as a CPA to his professional career.
Will has always carried a deep passion in his heart for individuals with Down Syndrome, and when he discovered GiGi's Playhouse Charleston, he knew he had found the perfect place to put that passion into action. He is excited to use his background and his roots in this community to help grow awareness for GiGi's Playhouse and champion the Down Syndrome community right here in the Lowcountry.
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.
Dave Moehlman, Board Member
Dave and his family migrated from Houston, TX in 2017 to Daniel Island and have never looked back. Dave and his wife Millie have 3 children and welcomed their first grandson in 2023. Down syndrome was not even on the radar when their son Alex was born in 2008 as it came as a huge surprise but hidden blessing. Alex had open heart surgery at 4 months of age and rebounded exceptionally well, turning into a great athlete and constant entertainer for family and friends. Dave has spent most of his career in Sales and Marketing working for start-ups and billion-dollar organizations. During his free time Dave enjoys boating with the family, golfing and is a long-suffering follower of Texas A&M Football
George Lyon – Board Member
I am honored to serve as a Board Member for GiGi’s Playhouse Charleston, an organization whose mission is deeply personal to me and my family. My wife and I recently relocated to Charleston after 38 years of marriage to be closer to our children and grandson, and this season of life has given me the opportunity to focus on giving back to a cause that means so much to us.
My passion for GiGi’s Playhouse comes from my brother, Bruce, who had Down syndrome and profoundly shaped our family’s perspective on life, love, and possibility. Thanks to the support, encouragement, and belief of so many people, Bruce lived a full and meaningful life—attending school for 21 years, working for 25 years, competing in Special Olympics, earning a World Silver Medal, and achieving the distinction of becoming an Eagle Scout. He taught us to embrace each day with joy and purpose, and our family never viewed him through the lens of limitations, but rather through the gifts he brought to our lives and community.
Serving GiGi’s Playhouse is my way of honoring Bruce’s legacy and supporting families on similar journeys today. I am grateful to be part of an organization that believes in possibility, inclusion, and unconditional support, ensuring that every individual with Down syndrome has the opportunity to thrive and reach their fullest potential.
Christine Messick – Executive Director
Christine Messick brings three decades of nonprofit leadership to her role as Executive Director of GiGi’s Playhouse Charleston. A Charleston resident since right before Hugo, Christine has deep roots in the Lowcountry, she has spent her career doing what she loves most — connecting people with the resources and relationships that help them thrive.
From her early years fundraising at MUSC Children’s Hospital to leading Youth Service Charleston — where she helped elementary students successfully advocate for what is now the pedestrian and bicycle pathway on the Ravenel Bridge — to a decade as Community Engagement Director at Reading Partners SC, Christine has built a career around growing programs, mobilizing volunteers, securing funding, and strengthening the ties that hold communities together. Along the way, she has been gifted with an extraordinary network of colleagues, donors, and community champions whose generosity and belief in the power of people have shaped everything she does.
That same spirit is what brought her to GiGi’s Playhouse, where individuals with Down syndrome, autism, and other developmental differences and their families are celebrated, supported, and empowered to achieve.
Away from work, Christine cherishes time with her husband, Jeff, and their three grown children — Zachary, an attorney in San Diego and soon-to-be dad; Rachael, a finance professional on Seabrook Island and proud mom living in Hanahan; and Lindsey, an entrepreneur making her mark in Breckenridge, Colorado
Breana Crenshaw – Site Manager
Breana Crenshaw is the passionate new Site Manager at GiGi’s Playhouse Charleston and a proud mother to Hunter, a lively 2-year-old with Down syndrome. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in General Education, Breana also holds a Master’s degree in School Counseling, where she honed her strong advocacy skills.
When she received Hunter’s prenatal diagnosis, Breana took time to process and, in doing so, discovered her purpose: to advocate for children and families like hers. This calling led her to GiGi’s Playhouse, where she aligns perfectly with the organization’s mission to change the way society views Down Syndrome.
As the first point of contact for both new and returning families, Breana’s warmth, commitment, and enthusiasm make her an indispensable member of the GiGi’s Playhouse community, always striving to create a welcoming environment where families feel supported and empowered.
Peggy Senesac- Volunteer Coordinator & Board Member
Peggy is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She and her husband, Chris, have two married sons and two young granddaughters. Her lifelong connection to individuals with Down syndrome has shaped her deep commitment to advocacy and inclusion. As a child, she was influenced by her best friend’s sister, born with Down syndrome in the 1960s, which sparked her early understanding of acceptance and opportunity. Her passion grew even stronger with the birth of her nephew, Michael, born with Down syndrome more than 40 years ago. Watching Miichael live an active and fulfilling life has given her firsthand insight into the impact of strong advocacy and support. Michael is an active participant at the very first GiGi's Playhouse in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, making Peggy especially excited to get involved when GiGi’s Playhouse came to Charleston. After retiring in 2023 following a 23-year career as a senior data analyst Peggy now finds great joy and purpose in volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse Charleston.
