Our Team
Betsy Willis, Volunteer Literacy Tutor Coordinator
Betsy Joined GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Myers in 2019 as the Volunteer Literacy Coordinator. She has an extensive background in program development, training, and management in the federal government. Betsy has a master's in public administration and a doctorate in adult education. As the Literacy Coordinator, Betsy works closely with our volunteer tutors providing training and ensuring they have the materials needed to give our participants meaningful and purposeful lessons. She also works directly with our participants as a tutor and loves watching their reading skills grow. She and her husband, Dave, and their special needs Labrador Retriever, Pi, moved to the area in 2018 from Virginia. Betsy is grateful for the opportunity of working with our participants and families.
Pam Garrett, Volunteer Math Tutor Coordinator
Nancy Jones, Volunteer Program Coordinator
Nancy Jones moved to Cape Coral in 2023 from Minnesota. She is a retired Behavioral Psychologist and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and has devoted over 36 years to supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities with a wide variety of diagnoses in their home, school, and vocational settings. Nancy has extensive experience in designing positive environments and programs that promote optimal learning for children, adolescents, and adults with Down syndrome. Nancy lives with her husband and Ragdoll cat named Mozart and is looking forward to training a new puppy who may one day serve as a therapy dog for individuals in need.
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.
Allison Leone, Vice President
Allison Leone, born in Rome, NY moved to SWFL in 2002. She graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications. Shortly after graduating Allison moved to Cape Coral, Florida where she accepted her first job in TV News but quickly moved into the Non-Profit sector. She worked in Marketing, Public Relations and development for most of her career. She and her amazing husband, Rick, welcomed their first child in 2013, a beautiful baby boy named Max, that they found out at birth had Down syndrome. They welcomed a second child in 2015, a charismatic little girl named Mila. With the birth of Max and Mila, Rick and Allison re-evaluated their family plans and priorities and it was decided Allison would stay at home with the kiddos and eventually enter the exciting journey of homeschooling. Allison joined the board of GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Myers in March of 2023 and is very excited to be a part of a much-needed support system for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. She is determined to raise awareness, acceptance and compassion for individuals with Down syndrome, the most important being love and inclusion for all.
Kory Walker, Co-Treasurer
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, Secretary
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.
Dr. Lindsay Schwandner
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.
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.
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.