Our Team
Robin Lupole, Executive Director
Robin Lupole was born in Binghamton, New York, and raised between Binghamton and NYC. She was educated through the SUNY school system and holds a paralegal degree. She is also a certified alcohol counselor.
She has been very fortunate to have worked with many amazing non-profit organizations, including Special Olympics South Carolina. She held one of the first paid management positions in the South Carolina office of Special Olympics. She was also lucky enough to spend almost a month in Alaska, where she helped coordinate the Winter Games at a national level. Additionally, she coached a team of 19 athletes from South Carolina in snowshoeing so they could compete in the games.
She has also coached a soccer team and hockey team for individuals with special needs in the past.
She is a lifetime member of Alpha Phi, International, and continues to promote and help with recruitment and philanthropic events.
She lives with her teenage son and her bonus son, both of whom are high school juniors and eagerly awaiting the freedom of college. She also has a daughter who lives in Austin and works as a certified dietitian. Additionally, she is actively involved in the animal welfare community, serving on multiple boards, and participating in ferret rescue efforts. Furthermore, she owns Bailey’s Buddies, which is a successful pet-sitting business located in The Woodlands, Texas.
Angela Currie, President
Angela grew up in Midland, TX and moved to Houston shortly after graduating from Texas A&M University with a BS in Nutrition Sciences and completing her dietetic internship in North Carolina. She has spent her career as a clinical dietitian at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Memorial Hermann Hospital. Angela came to know about GiGi’s Playhouse Houston in 2019 while pregnant with her first child, a baby girl who happened to have Down syndrome. GiGi’s Playhouse became a safe haven for her family and a place where her beautiful Jillian thrived. Jillian is now a sweet, sassy, bright 3 ½-year-old and the best big sister to her 1-year-old brother, Jonathan. She loves going to GiGi’s where she gets to see her friends and participate in fun programs that are tailored to her unique skills and abilities. Angela is thrilled to be a part of the GiGi’s family to help support other families and continue to spread the message of acceptance for all!
Brad Honer, Board Member
Brad lives in Houston, TX with his wife, Aubrey, and their three children. Their oldest, Elliott, has Down syndrome, and since its opening GiGi’s Playhouse Houston has served as a source of community, therapeutic fun programming, and resources for their family. Since graduating Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Economics, Brad has spent in his career in Banking & Wealth Management where he enjoys helping families and institutions achieve their financial and investment goals. He is honored to serve GiGi’s Playhouse Houston in its mission to support individuals with Down syndrome and spread acceptance for all across our big, dynamic city.
Natalie Hinkley, Board Member
Natalie lives in Houston with her husband Aaron and their cat, Irene. She grew up in Katy, TX, and went on to attend the University of North Texas earning a bachelor’s degree in Economics. Natalie has been working in accounting roles for going on 16 years and is currently working towards earning her CPA designation, while also managing the accounting department of a security company. Natalie is very excited to further the mission of GiGi’s Playhouse and is so happy to be joining the GiGi’s community!
Tracy Drogosek, Board Member
Tracy Drogosek a pediatric Occupational Therapist. She received her undergraduate degree in Occupational Science and her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Worcester State University in Massachusetts. She moved to Texas in 2013 and has been working at outpatient facilities for pediatrics since then. Tracy has experience with children and adults with various abilities and strengths for 8+ years. She enjoys teaching youths ways to make play fun, functional and purposeful. Tracy got into occupational therapy after a family friend had her shadow his son in different therapy settings, where she fell in love with the profession. During her college years, she worked as a respite caregiver and also at a sleep-away camp for adults and children with special needs called Camp Harkness that solidified her love of helping others be the best version of themselves and achieve their fullest potential.
Dr. Gillian Givens PT, DPT
Dr. Gillian Givens PT, DPT is originally from Columbus, Ohio and received her B.A. in Psychology from The Ohio State University then completed her Doctor in Physical Therapy at Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, West Virginia in 2013.
Gillian has 10 years of clinical experience and has treated a wide array of pediatric age ranges, medical complexities, and diagnoses in both inpatient and home health settings. Gillian is passionate about quality of life and facilitating independence with all patients (and families) that she treats.
Gillian has been volunteering with GiGi’s Playhouse Houston for a few years now, and has immensely enjoyed the creativity, fun and advocacy that GiGi’s provides for their children and families. She can’t wait to see the continued growth and blessings that the GiGi’s Playhouse Houston community will provide in 2023 and onward!