New Year – New Leadership

Growth Through Leadership

As we put 2020 behind us and look forward to a bright 2021 we are thrilled to introduce you to our incoming Board President and Vice-President!

Julie Byrnes and Kimberly Arndt have been integral in our recent Playhouse work and our future will continue to be very bright with their dedication and passion for our Playhouse community.

Please join us in congratulating them both.

Julie Byrnes- President

Julie joined the Board of Directors in May of 2018 and has held a variety of positions including Vice President, Program Committee Chair, and Interim Executive Director. Julie is active with fundraising and was the chairperson of the 2019 “i have a Voice” Gala and the 2020 Virtual Generation G Gala.  

 Julie is a speech language pathologist with her own private practice and consulting business. Her specialized training includes a background in early childhood speech and language development and bilingual/dual language development. She has lived in Spain and traveled for extended periods in Belize, Mexico, and Latin America. Julie is a Madison native and grew up just up the street from GiGi’s Playhouse. She is married and has two young children.  

 As President, Julie looks forward to serving families and collaborating with our community to advance the mission of GiGi’s Playhouse. 

Kimberly Arndt- Vice-President

Kimberly Arndt is a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician who works for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services at Central Wisconsin Center.  Kimberly received her undergraduate degrees from UW-Madison, attended medical school at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and completed her residency at UW Hospital and Clinics. 

Kimberly worked as a clinical assistant professor in the UW Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation for 10 years.  She then transitioned to Central Wisconsin Center to pursue her personal and professional goals of caring for individuals with significant developmental disabilities. 

Kimberly and her husband, Brian, have 3 beautiful daughters. One of their daughters, Alexa, has Down syndrome. Kimberly joined the GiGi’s Playhouse Board of Directors to provide perspective as a parent of a child with Down syndrome and to help advocate for inclusion and opportunities for people with disabilities. Their family is so thankful that GiGi’s Playhouse has a presence in Madison to support the Down syndrome community!