Our Team
Mike Cirigliano - President
mcirigliano@gigisplayhouse.org
Mike, owner of Cirigliano Insurance and Financial Services agency, has been honored to be part of the GiGi’s Playhouse Long Island team after sponsoring the very first fundraising event that was held at Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve. His role has evolved from Financial Chair of the start-up committee to President of the Board. Mike and his wife Holly are currently two children, a son and a daughter. Their niece Bella was their spark to get involved! GiGi's Playhouse Long Island's center will change lives through consistent delivery of free educational, therapeutic-based and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community. We aspire to help promote Global Acceptance. Mike also sits as a Board of Director for the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, as Chair of the Family Fun Event Committee for the Chamber, as a member of the Patchogue Rotary Club, as a member of the Patchogue Non-Profit Committee, coaches Baseball in the North Patchogue Medford Youth Athletic Club and coaches U6 Boys soccer and U4 Girls soccer divisions through the Patchogue-Medford Youth Soccer League.
Jennifer Netter - Vice President
Jennifer, along with her fiancé Darren, are happily raising four beautiful young ladies. Their youngest, Ruari, is their school aged daughter with Down Syndrome. Being her parents has been one of the most rewarding, and at times challenging, experiences of their lives. They are huge proponents for creating awareness and social acceptance for individuals with different abilities. Jennifer has served on many early educational committees, assisting with their fundraising and outreach efforts, graduated from the National Parent Leadership Training Institute program and initially served as part the Start Up Committee for GiGi’s Playhouse Westchester. Jenn and Darren’s love for the GiGi’s Playhouse model was solidified while being an integral part of many of GiGi’s Westchester’s signature programs and events. They are so proud to be part of such a passionate organization and believe it will be paramount in the paradigm shift our communities need while integrating individuals into peer groups, job sites and neighborhoods. They abide by the Generation G pledge. They look forward to meeting you over at GiGi's Playhouse Long Island very soon!!
Joe Pedone - Treasurer
Joe is the Infrastructure Chief Technology Officer (iCTO) and Global Head of Production Management and Infrastructure for J.P. Morgan’s Asset & Wealth Management (AWM) division. He is responsible for maintaining AWM’s critical technology platforms, driving strategic initiatives to ensure continued resiliency, stability and scalability. In his role, Joe partners with the firm-wide Cybersecurity and Technology Control teams to continuously enhance J.P. Morgan’s security measures to safeguard client and proprietary information.
Pasquale Burdo - Co-Treasurer
Appointed to The Board in January 2023, Pasquale will serve as Board Member and Co-Treasurer at GiGi’s Playhouse Long Island. With over ten years of Financial Planning & Analysis experience across several different industries, he will work closely with the leadership team to develop the long-term planning process as GiGi’s Playhouse Long Island expands its academic and life skills programs, including GiGi’s University which is expected to launch as soon as funding is secured. In addition to his volunteer role at GiGi’s, Pasquale sits on the Finance and Instructional Program Committee’s for the Patchogue-Medford School District, and coaches soccer for the U9 Boys and U7 Girls divisions through the Patchogue-Medforth Youth Soccer League.
Linda Umbach - Literacy Coordinator
Linda is a mom of a college graduate, wife of almost thirty-five years and home to two beautiful cockapoos! Linda has a love reading, gardening, swimming and traveling. In the Spring of 2021, she was looking to continue working with children; but, in a volunteer capacity. She had recently retired from my special education career at Nassau Boces; moreover, she knew she I still wanted to do more. She was continuing my education in a literacy program at Hofstra when she came across GiGi’s Playhouse. She started as a tutor and then became the Literacy Coordinator. She loves pairing participants with a variety of volunteer tutors. It is such a delight to inspire the tutors in helping our participants find his or her literacy interests. Meaningful literature makes all the difference! She has also enjoyed volunteering to assist in the various programs and special events that happen at our playhouse. The enthusiasm and acceptance are amazing! It is Lina’s honor to serve on the board and she hopes to inspire young and old through literacy and kindness!
Angelique Sternberger - Math Coordinator
asternberger@gigisplayhouse.org
Angelique has been a part of the GiGi’s Playhouse Long Island team since 2018 when she was approached to be a part of the startup committee as a way to honor her son DJ’s memory, who passed away in 2013. The mission of GiGi’s Playhouse is near and dear to her heart. It provides a place for parents to find support in those early days of their child’s diagnosis of Down Syndrome. Something she wishes she had when DJ was first born. GiGi's Playhouse Long Island also provides an amazing place where individuals with Down Syndrome and other developmental disabilities can go to for tutoring, socialization, exercise and can participate in a multitude of wonderful events and programs that are offered throughout the year. These opportunities are offered to help these individuals gain skills so that they can be the best version of themselves and achieve anything they put their minds and hearts into. In addition to her volunteer work with GiGi’s she is also a special education teacher for preschool students with disabilities after earning her Master’s in Early Childhood Special Education in 2023. She is extremely passionate about her role on the board as the Math Tutoring Coordinator and look forward to what the future holds for GiGi’s Playhouse Long Island. Although DJ is no longer with her, she is so thankful to be involved in honoring his memory by working with and advocating for other individuals with Down Syndrome.
Amanda Wood - Events Director
Amanda is the Director of Operations at Netter Real Estate and, most importantly, a devoted mother to her son, Jude, who has Down syndrome. Through word of mouth and mutual connections, she joined the startup committee of GiGi's Playhouse Long Island. Today, she serves as a Board Member and Event Chair, becoming a passionate advocate for the Down syndrome community. After several years of incredible growth at the Playhouse, Amanda is excited for the upcoming expansion, which will provide more programs and services, creating even more opportunities for participants and families to engage, learn, and thrive.
Elizabeth Rahne – Program Director
After dedicating 33 years to teaching in the Brentwood School District, Liz retired in 2019. These days, she cherishes time with her family, especially her grandchildren, Derek and Hazel. Derek, who has Down syndrome, is her guiding light. GiGi’s Playhouse has become a second home for both Liz and Derek. Through the programs at GiGi’s, Liz has seen firsthand the unique strengths and talents of the participants. She loves spending time with everyone, offering encouragement, support, and celebrating their growth as they become the best versions of themselves. GiGi’s has created a powerful foundation of acceptance, and Liz is excited to see where this journey will take GiGi’s in the future.
Heather Thorgersen - Board Member
hthorgersen@gigisplayhouse.org
Heather has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit work, training, and consulting, primarily focused on education, arts education, and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is Vice President of Quality Improvement and Compliance at the People's ARC of Suffolk, a provider organization committed to prioritizing people and providing the highest quality of support and services.
When she isn't in the boardroom or presenting at conferences, Heather enjoys being involved in theater, both on and off stage. As the Founder of ThinkBig! Theater Arts, Inc., a non-profit art in education company, Heather works with learners of all ages and abilities in schools, companies, and organizations using the performing arts to explore how to think, not what. Heather is honored to be able to give of her time and talents to serve on the board of Gigi's Playhouse.
Heather resides in Patchogue with her husband, Shawn, their daughter, Liv, and their lively little dog, Luna.
James Stein – Board Member
James, owner of Patch Print Ship & More Inc., joined the GiGi’s Playhouse Long Island board officially in 2022. James was and continues to be an integral part of the GiGiFit event securing multiple sponsors over the last 4 years. As well as continuing to co-chair the GiGiFit Event, James has also taken on the task of assisting in developing and executing a new Fall Fundraising event. James and his husband Ron are Patchogue Village residents, and they have a teenage daughter Gabriella who plans on graduating from Patchogue-Medford High School in 2024. James currently also sits as a Board of Director for the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, as a co-chair for the Retailer's Committee, Fall Festival, and most recently James and his husband made Patchogue history with creating Patchogue's First Pride Parade.
Emily Ginas - Executive Director
Emily is a passionate leader with a deep commitment to giving back to her community. She holds a Master's Degree in Sustainability and Development, with a focus on nonprofit organizations, from St. John’s University - Rome. Emily’s journey with GiGi’s Playhouse Long Island began in 2021, when she had the honor of serving as the very first Site Manager, playing a pivotal role in establishing the Playhouse and its impactful programs. Her dedication to the mission led her to transition to the Board of Directors as Secretary, where she contributed her expertise until November 2024, when she took on the role of Executive Director.
As a Patchogue native and proud graduate of PMHS, Emily is particularly passionate about working in her hometown, where she can make a direct impact on the community she loves. In her role as Executive Director, Emily is excited to continue growing the Playhouse’s programs, empowering individuals, and spreading awareness of the incredible opportunities GiGi's Playhouse offers. Her enthusiasm for making a difference and her love for seeing the smiling faces of the participants continue to drive her work each day.
Karen Drago, Operation Support
Karen joined the GiGi’s Playhouse Long Island team in June of 2023, as their first Executive Director. Having been working in the field and the non-profit world for over 15 years, she was drawn to this role after meeting some of the board members and their families. Karen was instantly drawn to their passion and the feeling of love and acceptance that I felt walking through the doors. Having worked with children and families in various roles over the years, she obtained her MSW from Stony Brook University, because she knew this was her calling. My time as the Executive Director was one of the most rewarding roles that she has had. Karen says life is different now with her son who is off to college and being semi-retired in Florida. One thing she can say is that she feels extremely grateful and fortunate to be able to remain a part of the GiGi’s Long Island team as their Operations Support. With the growth of this organization, Karen is so excited for the new building and all the amazing things to come.