Meet the GiGi’s Playhouse Denver Team!
Denver Staff
Cady Lawbaugh, Executive Director
Cady is thrilled to join Denver’s Playhouse as Executive Director. Originally from San Diego, California, she has called Colorado home for over 17 years. She earned her degree in Communications from Metropolitan State University of Denver. While she loves visiting the ocean, the Rocky Mountains have always felt like home. To Cady, Colorado is the ultimate adult playground, especially when explored with her mini-horse-sized Goldendoodle by her side.
Cady’s passion for serving individuals with Down syndrome began the day she was born, when she hit the jackpot with the best big sister anyone could ask for, Christie, who had Down syndrome. Christie wasn’t just Cady’s sister; she was her best friend and greatest inspiration. Through Christie’s eyes, Cady saw the magic in everyday life and became one of her fiercest advocates. Christie was diagnosed with cancer in 2020 and bravely fought for three years before passing in December 2023. Now, Cady steps into this new chapter with Christie’s light guiding her, deeply committed to honoring her legacy through her leadership at Denver's Playhouse.
With a professional background in Human Resources, Cady is excited to align her career with her lifelong passion. She is honored to work alongside the dedicated staff and board members to bring Denver’s Playhouse to new heights and ensure the highest quality of services for every participant and their families.
Hannah Billerbeck, Program and Volunteer Coordinator
Hannah is thrilled to return to the Denver Playhouse full-time after previously serving as our Operations Coordinator. A proud Colorado native, Hannah brings a deep sense of purpose and compassion to her work, inspired in part by her experience as the older sister to Luke, who has Down Syndrome, and their youngest sibling, Ozzie. Growing up alongside them has shaped her passion for supporting individuals with disabilities and advocating for inclusive communities.
Hannah has held previous roles as the Office Manager at Deeply Rooted Music School and provided administrative support in senior living facilities for five years, where she developed a strong foundation in organization and care-focused service.
Outside of work, Hannah enjoys reading, hiking with her husband and siblings, and playing guitar.
Denver Board of Managers
Kelsie Brandt, Board President
Kelsie is a pediatric nurse whose first job was at a respite care center for children with developmental disabilities. This role revealed to her a passion for individuals with Down syndrome and set her career and personal life on a mission to find a way to stay connected to that community. Kelsie spent most of her career providing inpatient and outpatient care at Children's Hospital Colorado and eventually started transitioning to leadership roles. Kelsie completed her Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and has since spent her career at health-tech startups focused on providing care to vulnerable populations in their homes.
Since becoming a mom to two young girls, Kelsie has found a renewed passion for ensuring her family remains connected to this community and for her family to stay fierce advocates for inclusion for all. Kelsie learned about GiGi's Playhouse through a classmate at her daughter's preschool whose son has Down syndrome. Kelsie quickly saw how the Playhouse's work to provide services to individuals with Down syndrome inspires and infuses joy at every level. Kelsie is excited to bring her strategic and operational mindset and her perspective as a pediatric nurse to the Denver Playhouse community.
Kelsie and her family live in Denver and enjoy camping, hiking, and watching the Denver Nuggets (which has been way more fun recently!).
Colby Koster, Treasurer
Colby is the West Regional Vice President of Operations at Team Select Home Care and proudly serves as Board Treasurer for GiGi’s Playhouse Denver. With over a decade of leadership in home health, Colby is deeply committed to building systems that not only deliver care—but truly support the dignity, independence, and inclusion of every individual.
In his day-to-day work, Colby oversees operations across five states, focusing on patient-centered care in both skilled and non-skilled home health services. He leads with a heart for people—supporting teams, clients, and communities through operational excellence, advocacy, and collaboration.
Colby joined GiGi’s Playhouse Denver to help advance its mission of changing the way the world views individuals with Down Syndrome. As Treasurer, he brings strategic oversight and a steady financial hand, grounded in years of executive experience and a personal passion for inclusive communities.
He also serves on the Board of the Home Care and Hospice Association of Colorado and holds degrees in Psychology and Ecological Biology from the University of Colorado Boulder. When he’s not working or volunteering, you’ll likely find Colby traveling with his family, or exploring all the outdoor activities Colorado has to offer.
Liz Feicht, Board Member
Liz, or “Lizzy,” Feicht is a proud Colorado native passionate about serving the disabled community. She first discovered her love for serving this population when she worked as an English teacher for children with special needs in Thailand. Since returning home, she’s found immense joy in working as an advocate and community development liaison within the disability space.
She has extensive experience in Medicaid services and the Family Caregiver Program(s) offered in Colorado. She is dedicated to helping families navigate and access resources within their communities and finds gratification in assisting them in bridging the gaps. Liz has been a longtime supporter of Gigi’s Playhouse and became a proud board member in March 2024, serving as the Board Chair of Events.
She’s a nature enthusiast and avid yogi, and in her free time, she enjoys hiking, biking, and camping!
Brendan Lawbaugh, Board Member
Brendan is excited to be on the Board of Directors for GiGi’s Playhouse. He was blessed to grow up with his beautiful sister Christie, who had Down syndrome. Christie loved, smiled, and comforted in ways that only individuals with Down syndrome can do. She was the best big sister he could ever ask for. Christie was one of the bravest, kindest, and most resilient people ever known. Unfortunately, Christie passed away in December of 2023 after a long battle with cancer. To continue Christie’s legacy joining the Board of Directors at GiGi’s was organic and therapeutic for Brendan.
When he not at work, he enjoys fly fishing. He has gone through many “spurts,” where he has tried everything outdoors. From rock climbing, to skiing, and to mountain biking, he enjoys all outdoors. He also enjoys playing recreational softball and soccer to connect with friends and exercise.
Jasmine Hayllar, Board Member
Jasmine brings a deep commitment to inclusive healthcare and community empowerment. Born in London and now proudly based in Colorado, Jasmine has always had a strong passion for the healthcare field and the power it holds to improve lives—especially for individuals with unique needs.
She currently serves as the General Manager at Forester Family Medical Supply, where she leads with a mission-driven approach to accessibility, patient care, and operational excellence. Jasmine's work focuses on ensuring that individuals of all abilities have access to the medical resources and support they need to live with dignity and independence.
Jasmine’s dedication to this work is also deeply personal. Her uncle is mentally disabled, and growing up, she witnessed the significant lack of resources and inclusive support available to him and her family. That experience left a lasting impact and inspired her to help ensure other families don’t have to face the same struggles alone.
She is honored to join the board at Gigi’s, where she can continue advocating for families and expanding access to life-changing resources, programs, and support. Jasmine looks forward to contributing her voice, heart, and leadership to a mission that aligns so closely with her own values.
Sonya Briggs, Board Member
Sonya is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) with over 20 years in the healthcare space in various settings to include inpatient hospital, outpatient clinic and home healthcare. Sonya received her undergraduate degree from Auburn University and her graduate degree from Louisiana State University. Her early career working as an inpatient SLP at a pediatric hospital allowed her the privilege of helping medically fragile children experience the joy of newly learned (or reacquired following trauma) communication abilities. With the birth of her first daughter, Sonya moved from healthcare provider to parent of a child with a disability, resulting in an even greater sense of compassion and desire to walk with families as they navigate the services and resources available to meet their child’s needs. Although she has moved from direct patient care to leadership roles, she remains focused on helping those with a wide range of disabilities receive the care they need to reach their full potential for a rich and rewarding life. Sonya became acquainted with GiGi’s Playhouse in 2021 as the Denver playhouse was opening and, believing in the mission and vision of GiGi’s, she has followed the growth of the playhouse through social media, so when the opportunity arose to serve on the board, she jumped at the opportunity to be a part of this meaningful work.
Sonya is a native Texan who has called Denver her home for almost 15 years. She is immensely proud of her daughters, both thriving in college, and as new empty-nesters, she and her husband find themselves with the time to travel to new places, attend the symphony and opera more regularly, and road trip in the Jeep to check out every corner of the beautiful state of Colorado.
Abbie Sampson, Board Member
Abbie Sampson is a proud Colorado native with a lifelong passion for the special needs community, inspired by her family's background in education and her older brother’s own medical journey. After graduating from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Psychology, she built a strong foundation of hands-on experience in home health care through family CNA and PDN programs, as well as previous work with Child Protective Services (CPS).
Abbie’s connection to GiGi’s Playhouse began through attending events, where she was immediately drawn to the supportive and joyful community. Now a regular volunteer with the teen and adult dance program, she brings energy, creativity, and warmth to every session.
Outside of volunteering, Abbie enjoys spending time with her dog Beans, discovering new restaurants as an active foodie, and traveling to visit family across the country. She’s excited to continue combining her passion, education, and professional experience to uplift and empower the GiGi’s community.