Our Team
Raymond Valdez Jr, Site Manager
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!
Ashley Kress, Board Member
Ashley was born in Houston, Texas and is a fourth generation Texan. A proud product of public school here in Houston, she has two degrees from Rice University. She has been happily married to Hugh Kress since 1989 and they have three amazing children. The kids are all grown up and thriving in three different states-New York, South Carolina and Colorado, which means she gets to do a lot of good travel each year!
Having been a middle and high school history teacher, Ashley began work in the special needs community after her middle child, Blakeley, was born with Down syndrome. She was the director of development for The Rise School of Houston for almost 20 years before coming to do that same work at The Center for Pursuit in 2024. Her passion is raising money and awareness for persons with disabilities of all ages. She is one of the “Lucky Few” and wants to world to see her son and his friends as she does—as complete and wonderful individuals.
Saveem Afraz, Board Member
Saveem is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a certified Special Education Teacher. While working in the classroom for four years, Saveem was also providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy to clients with autism after school and on the weekends. She holds a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology from The University of Houston and a Masters of Education in Special Education with an Emphasis of ABA from The Pennsylvania State University. Saveem is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Education in Professional Leadership within Special Populations at The University of Houston!
She has been working with children since her first job in high school and found her passion for children with various disabilities in college, catering her professional careers to working with special populations. She started as a dedicated 1:1 assistant moving her way all the way up in the classroom as the lead teacher and as a supervising clinician for her in-home ABA clients. She cannot see herself doing anything else with her life and finds herself learning a new way to support and love her wonderful friends every day!
She was trusted by a lovely parent to join GiGi's as a volunteer in the summer of 2024 and is now sitting on the board! She is beyond excited to continue opening up her world and mind to keep advocating for everyone to receive the best care and have the most fun!