Our Team
Staff
David Johnson, Executive Director
David J. brings a unique blend of professional expertise, academic achievement, and heartfelt dedication to his role as Executive Director of GiGi’s Playhouse Indianapolis. With a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and current pursuit of a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), David combines strategic vision with hands-on leadership. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute, equipping him to deliver operational excellence and measurable impact.
Beyond his academic and professional accomplishments, David has devoted his career to youth development, nonprofit leadership, and community empowerment in Indianapolis and beyond. His work has spanned environmental justice, workforce development, and organizational growth, always with a focus on creating opportunities for young people to thrive.
As Executive Director, David is committed to advancing GiGi’s Playhouse’s mission of changing the way the world views Down syndrome and supporting families through education, connection, and celebration. He is honored to lead the Indianapolis Playhouse in building a stronger, more inclusive community where every individual is seen for their potential.
Board of Directors
Theresa R. Banks, Board President
Theresa R. Banks is an Ohio native and a seasoned operations and people leader with over a decade of experience in customer care, process improvement, and team development within the healthcare and automotive manufacturing industries. She has a proven track record of leading initiatives that improve service quality, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction to drive overall organizational performance.
Theresa holds an Associate of Science in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University and is currently continuing her education toward a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Theresa’s passion for GiGi’s Playhouse is rooted in her professional experience working alongside individuals with disabilities and her deep commitment to servant leadership. She is driven by a desire to strengthen communities through education, leadership, and support. As a Board Member, Theresa is dedicated to helping GiGi’s Playhouse Indianapolis expand its community impact, enhance organizational performance, and continue delivering life-changing programs for individuals with Down syndrome and their families—advancing the organization’s mission to change the way the world sees Down syndrome.
Jeff Lewis, Board Vice President
Dr. Jeff Lewis is a native of the northern Chicago suburbs. Trained in education at the University of Michigan, Indiana University, and Miami University, he served public schools in various capacities for 45 years. Jeff played semi-professional baseball, including 2 years at Michigan, and loved those experiences.
However, his greatest love is for family. He moved to Carmel to be close to his daughter Jessica, son-in-law Eric, and 4 fantastic grandchildren. The oldest, Maddie, was born 15 years ago with Down syndrome. She is rocking the world as a freshman at Carmel High School (even a cheerleader with the Unified program). Jeff's youngest daughter lives near Dayton, Ohio, and has another high school freshman, Emma.
In the spirit of serving and with appreciation for GiGi’s Playhouse mission, Jeff Lewis was drawn to the playhouse and looks forward to exciting days and years ahead!
Jenna Greeson, Board Secretary
Jenna Greeson is a lifelong Indiana native with a strong commitment to serving individuals and families across diverse backgrounds. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Indiana State University in 2017 and her Master of Public and Environmental Affairs from Indiana University in 2023. Jenna brings both professional expertise and personal insight to her work, shaped in part by growing up with a sibling on the autism spectrum. Her experience spans HIV services, youth and adult mental health, and substance use support, grounding her work in empathy, equity, and systems level impact. Jenna is currently employed with the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, where she continues to support community focused initiatives that promote inclusion and well being.
Ethan Pickett, Board Member
Ethan Pickett is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) with a Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy and a Master of Arts in Recreation Administration and Leisure Studies from the University of Toledo (2013). During graduate school, he served as a teaching assistant for recreational therapy courses, an experience that shaped his client-focused approach to therapy.
He began his career in Indiana as a recreational therapist, later becoming a certified Indiana Medicaid waiver provider and founding Pure Abilities Therapeutic Services. Ethan currently serves on the boards of the Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Indiana (DSANI), GiGi’s Playhouse Indianapolis, and the University of Toledo Recreational Therapy Advisory Board.
In 2023, he was recognized as a Fort Wayne Business Weekly Forty Under 40 honoree. He remains deeply committed to improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities in his community.
Jill Mattingly, Board Member
Jill is a born and raised Hoosier. She lives in Speedway with her husband and two kids, one of whom rocks an extra chromosome. She graduated from Bellarmine University with a BA in Psychology and then continued to University of Louisville for an MA in Higher Education Administration and then to Indiana University for an MS in Educational Psychology. She worked in higher education for 10 years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Currently, you will find Jill working as both a Personal Trainer and a Travel Advisor. Both careers allow her to explore areas she is very passionate about, health and fitness, as well as travel.
When not working, Jill enjoys exploring the world with her family. They travel as often as they can, always going someplace new. She also loves working in her little "urban farm", growing vegetables and raising chickens. She is also a fierce advocate for her son and works hard to help him and his peers have the support they need to thrive. Jill is excited to join the Board at GiGi's Playhouse Indianapolis as her family has always enjoyed being a part of the Gigi's community.
DeAnn Kauffman, Board Member
DeAnn Kauffman is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) who has been working with Pure Abilities Therapeutic Services for four years. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy from Indiana Tech, where she also competed as a member of the women’s basketball team, an experience that strengthened her leadership skills, teamwork, and commitment to inclusive recreation.
DeAnn has volunteered with GiGi’s Playhouse for over three years and remains actively involved in supporting individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. She currently serves the northern Indianapolis area as a recreational therapist, where she is known for her client-centered approach, strong advocacy, and dedication to creating meaningful community-based opportunities.
Through her work, DeAnn is committed to promoting inclusion, independence, and quality of life for the individuals she serves, while actively supporting and promoting organizations such as GiGi’s Playhouse that align with her mission.
Shaheda Mahomed, Board Member
Dr. Shaheda Mahomed is a highly accomplished legal and academic professional with over 23 years of experience in law, higher education, and leadership. Originally from South Africa, she immigrated to the United States in 2021 and is now a Permanent Resident.
She holds a distinguished academic portfolio, including a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, and an MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
An admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa, Dr. Mahomed has built a career that bridges legal practice, academic excellence, and executive leadership. She began her journey at the University of the Witwatersrand, where she developed and led the Labor Law Clinic, taught and supervised at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and served as Director of the Law Clinic and postgraduate programs.
Her leadership roles have included Dean of Faculties and Executive Head of Academics at Pearson Institute (now Eduvos), where she oversaw academic strategy, curriculum innovation, and student success across multiple campuses.
Dr. Mahomed is also the founder of Warm Resolutions, a family and divorce mediation practice providing compassionate, confidential, and childcentered mediation services that empower families to reach fair and lasting agreements outside of litigation.
Dr. Mahomed is a published author, editor of Clinical Law in South Africa, and a respected speaker at national and international conferences. Her core strengths include strategic planning, dispute resolution, curriculum development, academic coaching, and organizational leadership.
Nathan Hibbs, Board Member/Ambassador
Nathan Hibbs was born in 1985 in Houston, Texas then moved to Dallas, Texas when he was 19 months old. He lived in Dallas for 21 years where he graduated from high school and attended one year of junior college. Nathan and his parents moved to Fishers, IN in 2007. He continues to love living there 18 years later and currently lives with his dad, Wayne, and sister, Leslie. Nathan started attending programs at GiGi’s Indy this year. He has loved making new friends and getting his sister involved in volunteering at GiGi’s. In addition, Nathan has two older brothers, two sister-in-laws and many nieces and nephews.
In high school Nathan was a percussionist in the high school concert and marching bands. In 2003 they were chosen to perform in a concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. While in NYC, Nathan saw his first musical on Broadway. He has since seen countless Broadway musicals and touring performances. He loves listening to Broadway Musicals and has learned many of his favorites in multiple languages. Nathan’s love of music extends to many aspects of his life and is shared every Sunday when he serves as music conductor for his church’s weekly meetings. Nathan loves attending Music Makers at GiGi’s and being part of the Best of All Band!
Nathan enjoys all kinds of performing arts in addition to mucials. Nathan loves WWE wrestling. He loves attending live wrestling events and watches wrestling multiple nights per week. He knows all the performers and their backstories. Nathan also loves everything about Harry Potter. More specifically he loves everything about being a Slytherin and will talk with anyone about their Hogwarts house as well. Nathan loves all Disney Villains and going to Universal Studios Orlando especially around Halloween season.
Nathan and his dad are very involved in the MINI Car Club of Indiana. They have a Mini Cooper rally car that has participated in many regional and national events for the last 10 years. Nathan is the navigator and race coordinator. They also have monthly dinner gatherings and local events.
Nathan has always been proud to be a person living with Down Syndrome. He loves getting to know other people with Down Syndrome and their families at GiGi’s. He looks forward to attending summer programs at GiGi’s Indy and continuing to make friends and memories along the way.
Young Professionals Board
Fran Smith, Young Professionals Board President
Fran Smith (they/them) comes from the world of nonprofits, serving youth with disabilities, and improving health outcomes for Hoosiers. They have expertise in marketing, administrative support, development, corporate fundraising events, advocacy, policy, and social media management. They graduated from the University of Oregon in 2021 with a degree in Planning, Public Policy, and Management with a Minor in Ethics, which is a branch of Philosophy.
In their free time, they make art semi-professionally, and has been featured in local galleries throughout the state. Fran has two French bulldogs. As Board Chair for the Young Professionals Board at GiGi’s Playhouse Indianapolis, they look forward to providing guidance and a vision for serving this growing community.
Youth Board
Liv Keslin, Youth Board President
Liv Keslin (She/her) is delighted to continue her work advocating and assisting the disabled community by serving as the Youth Board President at GiGi’s Playhouse Indianapolis! Liv is currently a 15 year old sophomore at University High school in Carmel Indiana. Liv has been extremely passionate about learning, analyzing, and researching any disorder, condition, and disability possibly imaginable since she was 7 years old. Throughout middle school, she quickly realized she was going to strive to make a change in the world regarding the treatment of disabled individuals. At her middle school, she was the only student in the general education system to specifically request to take a class with the special education students and befriend them/help out the teachers. She participated in Best Buddies and the Special Olympics Unified Champions Track and Field event all 4 years, and raised over $1000 on her personal fundraising page for the Best Buddies Friendship Walk.
Liv leads the Intersectional Feminism Club at her school, but is a part of dozens more, all of which are nonprofits. In her spare time, Liv enjoys volunteering all around Indianapolis, participating in political activism, hanging out with her friends, participating in community theater, and reading. Liv is so excited to get even more experience that will prepare her for her dream career working in special education, and she cannot wait to be a part of such a wonderful organization helping to make an impactful difference.