Our Team
Emily Clark, Site Manager
Emily moved to Florida in 2013 from the Philadelphia, PA area. Emily has an extensive background in retail management, training and development, marketing and events. Emily also worked as a Development Manager for two national non-profits. Instead of returning to the for-profit world, she immediately fell in love with the mission, message, and families of GiGi’s Playhouse. She strongly believes that we are changing the world, one diagnosis at a time, and is excited to use her talents to support the continual growth of GiGi’s for individuals across Southwest Florida.
Emily lives in Cape Coral with her husband Matt, their three teenagers and two dogs.
Betsy Willis, Volunteer Literacy Tutor Coordinator
Pam Garrett, Volunteer Math Tutor Coordinator
Board of Directors
Anita Kressel, President
Anita Kressel moved to Fort Myers in 2016. She graduated from Keller Graduate School of Management with a Master degree in Accounting and Financial Management and a Master degree in Business Administration. She works as the Finance Manager for a local fire department. She has one son Brayden who was born with Down syndrome. She is very passionate about advocating for her son and all his friends with Down syndrome. Anita is excited to be part of growing and expanding GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Myers.
Dr. Lindsay Schwandner, Secretary
Lindsay was born and raised in Wisconsin and now resides in Cape Coral, Florida with her husband and 4 daughters. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and completed her pediatrics residency at the University of South Florida. She is a pediatrician with Lee Physician Group Pediatrics and cares for children with Down Syndrome and other special needs. She is excited to bring GiGi’s Playhouse to the children and families of Southwest Florida and provide programs and support to help them reach their greatest potential.
Yolanda Nunez, Co-Treasurer
A graduate of University of Illinois-Chicago, her passion is to advocate for the Down Syndrome community and Not-For-Profit organizations anyway she can. She has over 30 years of experience as an Accountant and CPA serving private business clients. She has a specialty in Not-for-Profit organizations and has been subcontracted as an outsourced CFO for various organizations. Yolanda is the grandmother of a beautiful granddaughter, Sofia, who was born with Down Syndrome; thus, she is honored to serve the Down Syndrome Community in Fort Myers where her granddaughter lives and where her daughter in law, Samantha, co-founded Gigi’s Playhouse-Fort Myers LLC. Yolanda had the opportunity to be part of the group of individuals that support this Playhouse in 2019 as a Board Member and did not hesitate to take on responsibilities performing primarily treasury tasks and functions. Yolanda’s mission has always been to serve and inspire others.
Sergio Nunez, Co-Treasurer
Sergio Nunez born in Chicago, IL moved here to Fort myers, FL in 2006. He graduated from DePaul University in accounting and finance and moved down to purchase his Kitchen and Bath remodeling company, where he met his wonderful wife, Samantha. They have three children and their very first trailblazer is Sofia Nunez who was born with Down syndrome. That's where the journey began into his wife becoming one of the founding members of GiGi's Playhouse in Fort Myers, which sparked Sergio's interest in doing anything and everything he can for GiGi's.
Caroline Reitz
Caroline is thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of the work at GiGi’s Playhouse. A graduate of Kent State University, her passion is to advocate for the Down Syndrome community within the Playhouse, as well as out in the Southwest community. As a past educator with over 20 years in the classroom, her mission has always been to serve, educate and inspire others. Caroline has called Southwest Florida her home since 2006, where she resides with her husband in the Gateway area. She is happy to work with her mother as a two-person sales team with RE/MAX Realty Group, helping others find their dream home in paradise.
Evan Rosenberg, Board Member
Evan is a native of Coral Springs Florida. He moved to Cape Coral in 2010. He and his wife, Angela, married in 2011 and have three boys. Their oldest son Emery has Down syndrome. Evan is a graduate of F.G.C.U.’s College of Business and the Radiology Program at Keiser University in Ft. Lauderdale. Evan is currently C.T. technologist at HealthPark Medical Center.
His hope is to continue spreading the motto, “you don’t know what you don’t know” It means to treat everyone like gold. You don’t know what anyone is going through so treat everyone with kindness and compassion.
Allison Leone, Board Member
Yeni Busic, Board Member
Yeni was born in Havana, Cuba and relocated to the US in 1997 at the age of 8. Since then, Cape Coral has been home, and she has established her roots. Yeni is a Broker Associate at her family’s boutique real estate brokerage and has been an active member in the real estate community since 2007; at the time - the youngest licensed agent in the state.
When she’s not busy selling real estate, her passion is in healthcare. Yeni holds a Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences and Emergency Medical training certificate. Yeni enjoys spending time on the water on their boat with her husband Steven; son Carter & daughter Camila who was born with Down syndrome. They also enjoy swimming and chasing after their 3 Australian Sheppard’s (Max, Meadow & Malley).
Her biggest motivators are her family; her tenacity, ambition and drive have always helped her achieve her goals. Being part of the GiGi's Playhouse family is one of the most important roles she is excited to fill.
Miriam Dotson, Board Member
Miriam is so excited to be part of the GiGi’s Playhouse family. As a former news reporter, Miriam reported on the possibility of GiGi’s coming to Southwest Florida years ago. She is honored to be part of this impactful organization and see it grow.
An active member of the community, Miriam also serves as communications manager in the public relations department of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau.
Prior to joining the VCB, she served in community outreach and as a public information officer for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Before entering the world of public relations, she spent more than 12 years in the television news business working in multiple markets across the United States. The Connecticut native began her career at WINK News in Fort Myers starting as a video editor and producer before moving to on-air reporting and anchoring. Miriam also worked in San Antonio, TX., gaining recognition for her Emmy-nominated series, Trips on a Tank and launched a lifestyle show, Daytime at Nine, before returning to Lee County as morning anchor for Fox 4 Morning News. In addition, Miriam was an instructional assistant in the journalism department for Florida Gulf Coast University.
Miriam earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcast communication with a minor in journalism from Barry University in Miami, FL. She resides in Cape Coral with her husband and young children.