Our Team
Staff

Holly Tonak, Executive Director
Holly first joined GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne as the Executive Director from 2015-2020. She was instrumental in developing and implementing all the processes, procedures, and programs. After welcoming identical twin girls in 2021, Holly came back to GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne in May 2022. Holly has a bachelor's degree in Elementary and Special Education. She also served in the Peace Corps, teaching English as a foreign language and helping a developmental center evaluate the way they served and assessed individuals with disabilities in Varnita, Moldova for two years. Holly loves seeing individuals of all ages thriving with the purposeful programs that GiGi’s offers at no charge. She looks forward to seeing the Playhouse and the hundreds of families served grow and become a beacon of hope and celebration for all.
Holly sits on the Inclusion Committee for the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne, assisted in developing the educational curriculum for The League’s Inclusion Institute, and sits on the Trine University Occupational Therapy Department advisory board.
When Holly is not at the Playhouse, she can often be found spending time with her husband, Michael, stepson who happens to be rocking an extra 21st chromosome, and identical twin daughters. Living in Fort Wayne, there is never a shortage of fun activities to do. She enjoys attending local sporting events, frequenting local business and attractions, and baking sourdough goods with her children.

Kim Jones, Programs and Volunteer Manager
Kim began her career in this field 20 years ago as a Direct Service Provider. In her 20 years of service in the Medicaid Waiver, she has worked in many settings and roles. From day one Kim completely fell in love with the individuals she has been honored to work with. Kim has worked direct care, managed several homes in residential as well as managed an adult day program and worked as a Case Manager. She has an extensive knowledge of the waiver system and has a Bachelor of Management from Grace College. Kim is a proud advocate and friend to all, but her heart truly is in working with individuals with different abilities. In whatever role she has played, Kim has always strived to be the very best and to provide the best care possible. Her life if fully immersed into the disability community including being on the Board of Directors for an ABA clinic in Angola and serving on the planning committee for Night to Shine at County Line Church of God. Working at GiGi’s Playhouse is a dream come true and she looks forward to being part of this incredible company and will work to empower, inspire, educate, and advocate.
Aside from her working life, Kim and her wife enjoy kayaking, hiking and being with friends and family. They live in Kendallville with two active dogs and a kitty.
Teya Lahr- GiGi's Genesis Health Bar Manager

Teya Lahr, GiGi's Genesis Health Bar Manager
Teya joined GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne in 2018 as the Genesis Health Bar Manager with over a decade of experience in restaurant and customer service management. Teya became involved with GiGi’s Playhouse when her son Tegan was born with Down syndrome in 2013, that is when her passion for changing the way the world views Down syndrome sprouted. Her goal at Genesis Health Bar is to inspire the Ambassadors with career development and customer service skills so they can go out into the community feeling confident and purposeful.
Teya resides in Garrett with her two children and fiancé.
Executive Board

Jess Davis, President
I’m beyond proud and excited to serve as our Board President of GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne. I first became connected with the Playhouse about 5 years ago when I received a pre-natal diagnosis of my son having Down syndrome. The Playhouse has remained a constant reminder of the limitless potential of individuals with Down syndrome. Because of that, I connected instantly to the mission the Playhouse serves and the growth of our organization. I look forward to finding collaborative ways to enhance advocacy and education within the community. I’m committed to fostering an environment of opportunity, growth, and security for our Playhouse friends, families, and volunteers.
I live in Auburn with my husband and our children: Hailey (20), Brooklin (14), Beau (4), and Rhett (3). With Hailey being in her second year at IU, Brooklin being in middle school, and our boys being 12 months apart, our parenting responsibilities are stretched from college/adulthood concerns to deciding class snacks for pre-school. We’re all over the place! Outside of our beautifully chaotic family, I have over 17 years of experience in the financial industry where I am the Vice President of Member Experience at Fort Financial Credit Union. Any free time I have is spent with my kids, watching college basketball (go Hoosiers!), or designing, planning, and decorating homes.

Kate Christman, Vice President
I am excited to serve as the new Vice President for GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne! I became involved with GiGi’s Playhouse in 2017 and joined the board of directors shortly after. Throughout my years of involvement, I have been passionate about supporting GiGi’s Playhouse participants and families in all aspects of programming, as well as serving as a liaison for volunteer, intern, and tutor training as related to the emotional and behavioral health needs of our Playhouse friends. I have also collaborated with many community partners for fundraising needs and programming efforts over the years and hope to continue fostering those relationships in my new role as VP. I bring 16 years of experience serving youth, adults, and families in community mental health, school, and home/agency-based environments. I currently own a behavior management company, Christman Consulting, LLC., and have enjoyed serving many of our Playhouse families and beyond as a Behavior Consultant for the last 11 years.
I live in Columbia City with my husband, three beautiful daughters, and a pup named Winnie! In my free time, I enjoy baking, decorating, entertaining, and spending time with family and friends.
Being part of the GiGi’s family and building so many meaningful relationships with Playhouse partners over the years has been one of the greatest joys of my career. God has certainly blessed me with this opportunity to serve in a new way! I am so excited about the future of our Playhouse, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about the team we have in place to create a new chapter in GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne story!

Pam Towe, Treasurer
I am thrilled and honored to serve as the Board Treasurer of GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne. My introduction to GiGi’s came through the former Treasurer and my colleague, Jason Rice. As he was stepping down, he asked if I would be interested in taking on the role, and I immediately said "YES". After going through the interview process and meeting Jess, our Board President, I was deeply moved by her story and her vision for the Playhouse. Her dedication made me certain that GiGi’s was a Non-Profit I wanted to join. The unwavering efforts of the Executive Director, team, volunteers, and families are truly heartfelt and exemplify genuine excellence. I am delighted to be part of this team and to contribute to the mission and growth of the Fort Wayne Playhouse.
Originally from Fort Wayne, I moved back five years ago after spending most of my life in the Atlanta, Georgia area. My heart was always set on returning to Indiana, where my family resides. Upon my return, I was introduced to the Non-Profit world by my cousin, and I have since fallen in love with building, guiding, and helping our community in the Fort Wayne/Allen County area. Although I do not have any children, I am an aunt to many, both related and non-related. Outside of my work as an Accounting Manager for OWL Services USA, I spend most of my time with my immediate and extended family, at church, on the lake, and cheering on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team… GO IRISH!
Thank you for the opportunity to serve at GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne!

Bethany RG Clapper, Secretary
Bethany has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a management concentration, and Master of Business Administration from the University of Saint Francis. She has also earned her Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She works in the Office of Development and Alumni Engagement as the Director of Development for Purdue University Fort Wayne. She and her husband spend their free time cheering on their son and daughter at numerous sporting events and enjoying family time together.
I am excited to serve as the Secretary for GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne!
Board Members

Amy Guilliam, Programs Committee
Originally from Defiance, Ohio, my husband, Stan and I moved to Fort Wayne in 2010. We have two adult children, Jason and Cassandra, and are proud grandparents of six lively grandchildren.
In 2015 my journey with GiGi’s Playhouse began after attending their inaugural gala. Touched by the organization’s mission, especially due to my grandson, Jackson, who was three years old at the time, I decided to become an active part of GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne.
I have been actively involved supporting GiGi’s events, chairing the golf outing for four years, tutoring literacy and math, and a committee member of the GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge.
Through GiGi’s Playhouse I have seen participants flourish in programs such as GiGi’s Kitchen, Art Explosion, GiGiFIT, and more. I have witnessed firsthand increase growth and self-confidence not only in Jackson but also in his friends, through their participation at the Playhouse.
I fully embrace GiGi’s Playhouse mission to change the world’s perception of Down syndrome and spread a message of acceptance.

Sandy Whitmore, Volunteer Committee
Originally from Illinois, my husband, John, and I have been Fort Wayne residents for the past 25 years. We have two adult daughters and three amazing granddaughters. We have been active in the Down syndrome community since 2011 when our first granddaughter, Chloe, was born with Down syndrome. You can imagine our excitement when we heard GiGi’s Playhouse was coming to Fort Wayne.
We feel so blessed to be part of an organization that encourages self-confidence and empowers individuals with Down syndrome to achieve their greatest potential, which is exactly what we want for Chloe. With determination and her infectious smile Chloe can be frequently seen at GiGi’s participating in Ballet, Cheerleading, GiGiFIT, tutoring and other amazing programs that GiGi’s offers, which inspires us to create more opportunities for Chloe and her friends.
I was a member of our founding startup team and have been an active member of the Board of Managers since 2015. Our whole family has been fortunate to be part of the growth of GiGi’s over the past 9 years, volunteering, fundraising and co-chairing special events like the Gala and Golf Outing. GiGi’s mission and core values have influenced our own lives to be kinder, more generous, and accepting of all.