Our Team
Kelly Antonson, Executive Director
Kelly started as our Site Manager in March 2020, was promoted to Site Director in December 2021 and was promoted to Executive Director in June 2024 . She started with our Playhouse as a volunteer in early 2018 with various roles. She has a background in Brand Marketing and has been using her experience to manage all aspects of the Playhouse.
Kelly does not have anyone in her family with Down syndrome but she knows and loves a lot of people that do! She learned about GiGi’s Playhouse through her daughter’s all-star cheerleading gym which has several athletes that also participate in GiGi’s programs!
Outside of GiGi’s, Kelly enjoy’s spending time with her two adult children, practicing yoga and bird watching.
Courtney Gamer, Site Manager
Courtney joined our team in June 2022 as our Program and Volunteer Manager and was promoted to Site Manager in January 2025. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Madison in 2020 and has broad experience in Education, Administrative Operations and Environmental Studies.
Inspiring, empowering, and educating others are core principles Courtney looks forward to progressing in her role. She loves supporting GiGi's and all the wonderful people and families they work with.
Outside of GiGi's, Courtney coaches youth volleyball and works part-time at Aldo Leopold Nature Center as an Environmental Educator and Sustainable Events Assistant.
Anne Ernst, Operations and One-on-One Coordinator
Anne joined the Madison Playhouse as a Math Coordinator in January 2022. She expanded her volunteer role to include Literacy Coordination later that year and was thrilled when the position of Operations/1 on 1 Coordinator opened up Fall of 2023. Before joining our Playhouse, Anne spent 13 years as a Pediatric Physical Therapist, primarily in Early Intervention but also in Schools and Outpatient Clinics.
After spending several years as a stay-at-home mom, Anne wanted to get involved in the community again in a more meaningful way. GiGi’s Playhouse was a perfect fit given her background and love of children with different abilities, especially children with Down syndrome.
Anne has two children and also volunteers at their school. She also loves to travel with her children and husband, near and far.
Nanette Mogensen, Program Coordinator
Nanette joined our team in January 2025 as our part-time Program Coordinator. She is a wife and mother of four children, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre. Her youngest child has Down syndrome and she and her family have been active playhouse participants since the Madison location opened in 2016. Nanette believes in GiGi’s message of global acceptance and loves all the purposeful programs GiGi’s offers. She is excited to give back to the community that has so richly blessed their lives.
In her free time, Nanette enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching British crime dramas, and reading.
Liz Delsandro, Speech and Language Pathologist
Liz Delsandro is a speech-language pathologist and clinical supervisor with the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Liz is privileged to supervise graduate student clinicians providing services through the Amina Grace Speech and Language Program at GiGi's Playhouse-Madison. She has overseen the program since June 2023. Liz has worked in two University Centers for Excellence in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, the Kennedy Krieger Institute and the Waisman Center, and has been a direct service provider, assistive technology trainer, and autism consultant in the public schools.
Outside of GiGi's and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Liz spends time exploring Wisconsin with her husband, gardening, making art, and thrifting.
Regan Vanden Boogard - Math and Literacy Co-Coordinator
Regan is a software product leader and a parent to a child with Down Syndrome. Inspired by her daughter and the community, Regan is excited to help support the team, the volunteers, and all the families participating in the math and literacy tutoring program.
In her free time, Regan enjoys traveling, reading, playing games, and skiing with her family of four.
Missy Miller, GiGiFIT Teen and Adult Program Leader
Miss Missy has been in the Recreation Field her whole life! Recreation and providng fun for everyone has been a passion of hers since as long as she can remember. She attended Western Illinois University, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Administration and a double minor in Coaching & Hospitality Management. She moved to the Madison Area in 2011, to take a full-time position with Monona Parks & Recreation. You might see her around town at the outdoor pool, local park or local gymnasium.
On her free time, she likes to spend time boating with her husband and 3 kids, Brandon, Brenda & Millie, rollerblading around town and spending countless hours maintaining her bird and butterfly garden.
She is happy to join team GiGi’s’s!
LeAnn Haroldson, Campaign Committee Co-Chair
Throughout my professional life, I have worked in sales, marketing, and education. The previous three years of volunteering at GiGi's have been extremely rewarding, and I'm now fortunate to be co-chair of the Capital Campaign team. Most days you can find me on the yoga mat as a teacher or student or on the pickleball court with friends. My husband and I have three grown children, and we cherish our time together up North at our family lake home.
Brian Arndt, Campaign Committee Co-Chair
Brian has been involved with GiGi’s Playhouse Madison from the beginning in 2016, attending programs with his daughter Alexa. His wife, Kim, has been on the Board of Directors since 2019, and their other two daughters enjoy the family programs at GiGi’s. Brian works as a family medicine physician in UW Health’s Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. He is passionate about whole health for people with all abilities at all ages.
In addition to his engagement with GiGi’s, he is the Board President and active volunteer with Madison Area Food Pantry Gardens as he is passionate about farming and cares deeply about the creation of community-level nutrition security with an emphasis on increasing access to produce – food is medicine!
Julie Byrnes, Campaign Committee
Julie brings a multifaceted background in sales, speech-language pathology, business management, and nonprofit leadership. She ran a private speech therapy practice for 17 years and has been a dedicated volunteer with GiGi’s Playhouse Madison since 2018, serving as Gala Chair, Program Chair, Vice President, and President. During COVID, she stepped in as Interim Executive Director to guide the Playhouse through a challenging time, helping to more than double revenue and build lasting relationships with local donors and businesses. She later served as Executive Director for GiGi’s National Playhouse, where she led the launch of the (new) Virtual Playhouse. One of her most meaningful experiences at GiGi’s Madison was creating the Advocate Committee and working alongside four incredible adults with Down syndrome to promote GiGi’s mission.
Julie now leads a consulting firm that supports emerging nonprofits with strategy, marketing, operations, and board development. She is honored to serve on the Capital Campaign Committee and is excited about all the opportunities a new facility will bring to the GiGi’s Madison community.
Camilla McKay - Consultant
Camilla is a midwest transplant who moved to Madison in 2016. She is the Executive Operations and Community Relations Manager at Findorff, a Wisconsin-based Commercial General Contractor. Serving in a cross-functional role, Camilla works with the company's leadership on strategic resources, operations, and communication. In addition, she manages the company's philanthropic portfolio where she is passionate about connecting Findorff's resources, both financial and employees, to organizations in the community. Camilla holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and History from Beloit College, and is an MBA Candidate at University of Wisconsin Madison. Originally from the greater Boston area, Camilla lives in South Madison with her husband, Matthew and rescue dog, Flora and can often be found running, cycling, or enjoying Wisconsin's trail systems.