Our Team
Angelica Capistran, Operations Manager
Angelica Capistran is a seasoned professional with over 12 years of management experience, including 7 years leading a team of educators at a prestigious independent school in New York City. Known for her empathetic and compassionate leadership style, Angelica believes in leading by example and fostering a supportive environment where individuals can flourish. Motivated by a desire to make a difference and lend a helping hand, she is dedicated to creating positive impacts in the lives of those she works with.
In her free time, Angelica enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors through hiking, and cherishing quality moments with her family, friends, and three dogs. Her balanced lifestyle reflects her commitment to personal growth and well-being, further enriching her contributions to the team and the community.
Angelica joined the GiGi's NYC team in October 2024.
Megan Moore, Special Educator of Adult Programs
Megan joins GiGi’s NYC with a strong background in education. She graduated from SUNY Cortland with a bachelor's degree in Childhood Education and Hunter College with a master's degree in Special Education. She currently holds a NYS certification in Childhood Special Education. She has a passion for educating children and adults of all ability levels.
Megan’s teaching experience includes progressive education, NYC DOE programs, private teaching & tutoring. Megan has worked closely with SEITS, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists and Physical Therapists, helping students work toward their individual goals. She believes in celebrating individuals and allowing them to be the best versions of themselves!
Megan loves spending time with her husband and two daughters, traveling, reading and being outside.
Megan joined the GiGi’s Playhouse NYC team in April 2023.
Ali Flannigan, Program Manager
Ali Flannigan is a passionate arts educator and program leader with over a decade of experience in film, creative programming, and youth development. With a background in writing, directing, and teaching, Ali brings a unique blend of creativity, organization, and heart to every project she takes on. Her work has taken her across the globe—from New York to London to Hong Kong—creating inclusive, empowering spaces where young people can express themselves, build confidence, and thrive through storytelling and performance.
Ali is thrilled to join the GiGi’s NYC team and is excited to bring her love of the arts, strong program management skills, and commitment to community to this role. She believes deeply in the power of connection and creativity to inspire growth and belonging—and is honored to support the incredible mission of GiGi’s Playhouse.
Outside of work, you can find Ali exploring the city with her faithful companion Arlo, a springer spaniel with boundless energy. She also loves writing, gardening, watching Bob Ross and painting along with his tutorials, and spending time with family and friends—when her nose isn’t stuck in a book.
Ali joined the GiGi’s Playhouse NYC team in April 2025.
Co-Founders
Debbie Morris
Tracy Nixon
Board of Directors
Jane Providenti, Board Co-President
Jane Providenti is a Vice President in the Wealth Management Credit Risk Department at Deutsche Bank. During her 25+ year career at DB, she has held a variety of positions within the Global Finance Division overseeing businesses in Investment and Corporate Banking, Asset and Wealth Management and Regional Finance for the Americas. She holds an MBA in Finance from New York University and has 3 children.
Yamira Siu, Board Co-President
Yamira Siu is an Executive Assistant at Société Générale (SG) in the Global Banking and Advisory group with over 20+ years of experience and Co-President of DiverseAbilities, SG's Employee Resource Group (ERG).
Yamira joined the Board of GiGi's NYC in 2019, and is the Chair of the Outreach Committee, Co-Chair of the Parent/Caregiver TableTalk and Chair of Charla Familiar (TableTalk en Espanol) and became Co-President of the Board as of January 2021.
She has volunteered for numerous organizations in the Harlem Community such as Figure Skating in Harlem ("FSH"), America Scores, and GiGi's NYC since 2012.
She currently lives in Harlem, NY and has four children and her youngest son, Malik Jabbaar is a member of GiGi's NYC and huge advocate for the Down syndrome community.
She completed two years of studies at Pace University, NY and decided to pursue other opportunities.
Joyce Gottbetter, Vice President, Member of Board of Directors
Joyce Gottbetter is with Microsoft and leads the sales and technical cloud teams that partner with their US Health and Life sciences customers. Joyce joined Microsoft in 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Prior to joining Microsoft, Joyce was Vice President of Sales at IBM, where she led a global sales team, and from 2010 to 2015, Joyce was in Shanghai, China, where she successfully built and led multi-cultural teams in the emerging markets. Joyce started her sales career in New York City.
Joyce is a graduate of New York University Stern School of Business with an MBA in Marketing and Finance and The Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering.
Joyce and her husband, Brian, have a daughter, Meredith, and a son, Joshua, and enjoy traveling internationally. Joyce is committed to giving back to her community and is an active volunteer of New York Cares.
Joyce joined the Board of GiGi’s Playhouse NYC in 2020, and is the Board Vice President.
Michael Torres, Secretary, Member of Board of Directors
Mike Torres is Vice President of Business Planning and Strategy in the Internal Audit Group at American Express. He manages a broad range of activities including project management, communications and talent initiatives to help ensure business objectives are achieved.
In 2019, Mike served as Interim Vice President of Global Business Services Capabilities where he was responsible for collaborating with colleagues across the Servicing Network, Technology and Human Resources to improve the end-to-end colleague experience. In addition, he managed the technology roadmaps for intelligent automation and data strategy.
Prior to those roles, Mike had positions in both the Finance and Consulting teams at American Express. He completed his MBA in the Executive Program at NYU in 2019.
Mike has been involved in a number of local non-profits: Junior Achievement, City Harvest and Brooklyn Community Services. Mike is passionate about giving back and has been looking for ways to support those who struggle with developmental disabilities, hunger and homelessness.
Mike lives in Tinton Falls, NJ. He enjoys traveling, sports and trying new restaurants.
Michael joined the Board of GiGi’s Playhouse NYC in 2020.
Venessa Diaz, Member of Board of Directors
Born and raised in Queens, NY, Venessa is a writer, performer and mother of three, two of which are twin boys with Down syndrome. Through her work as a TV writer with Sesame Workshop, Disney Jr. and Moonbug, among others, Ms. Diaz advocates for inclusion and representation of individuals with differing abilities. She is deeply committed to GiGi’s global mission of acceptance and has served as a volunteer for the NYC playhouse, start-up team leader and Founder of the 52nd Playhouse location in Long Island, NY.
Venessa joined the Board of GiGi’s Playhouse NYC in May 2022.
Margret Ditolla, Member of Board of Directors, Gala Chair
Margret Ditolla is a project manager in the Insurer Consulting Group (ICG) at Marsh. She currently is responsible for organizing, planning and managing special projects and events.
Margret has worked in various areas of Marsh over her long career including, Global Risk & Specialties, Global Sales & Strategy, International Human Resources, Global Risk Management & Industry Practices, Finance and was Executive Assistant to the CEO of the Americas. Additionally, she
provided on-site support during external conferences from 2006 to 2015. She is a Licensed Property & Casualty Broker in the State of New York. Margret is a recipient of SmartMeetings – Smart Women in Meetings Stellar Performer award.
In addition to her work at Marsh and support of GiGi’s Playhouse NYC, Margret is a member of the Board of Associates for Ronald McDonald House New York. She organizes volunteer meal support dinners and other fundraising events for the House and has served on their golf committee for the Annual Marsh/RMH-NY Golf Outing for the past 21 years. Margret is also on the Board of Insurance Professionals Association of Long Island (IPALI) where she serves as Corresponding Secretary.
Margret joined the Board of GiGi’s Playhouse NYC in 2017.
David Kotler, Member of Board of Directors
David Kotler is a Partner with Dechert LLP, an international law firm. David advises and represents clients in a wide range of complex corporate and commercial litigation matters involving the financial markets, with a particular focus on investment advisers, hedge funds, and other financial services firms both within and outside the mutual fund industry. David also frequently counsels boards and senior management on a variety of litigation-related matters.
David earned a Bachelors of Science degree from Cornell (School of Industrial and Labor Relations) and a Juris Doctor degree from NYU.
David splits his time between Princeton, NJ and Spring Lake Heights, NJ. David has three children, Andrew, Emily and Jack.
David joined the Board of GiGi’s Playhouse NYC in 2020. David welcomes the opportunity to involve all of his children in volunteering at GiGi’s NYC.
Michael Lorch, Member Board of Directors
Michael Lorch retired in March 2020 as Senior Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions at Mastercard, a post he held for the previous 12 years. Prior to Mastercard Michael held senior M&A roles at Ingersoll-Rand and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Michael received an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the College of William & Mary in Virginia. He is a Board member of the Ideal School of Manhattan and a Trustee of Eglise Saint Jean Baptiste in Manhattan.
Michael resides in New York City with his wife, Melot and two daughters. His daughter Christine participates at GiGi’s NYC and his daughter Grace has been a volunteer.
Michael joined the board of GiGi’s Playhouse NYC in August 2022.
Mathew Otte, Member of Board of Directors
Matthew Otte is Director and Senior Counsel at RBC Capital Markets covering the global equities business. He has spent the past ten years in a variety of legal and compliance functions in the securities industry focusing on sales and trading of equities and derivatives.
Matthew earned his undergraduate degree in Business Management and MBA at Providence College in Rhode Island, where he was captain of the Men’s Soccer team. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, CA.
Matthew and his wife, Nicole, live in Chatham, NJ with their two children Paxton and Remy and their rescue dogs, Bella and Cooper. He enjoys playing soccer, surfing and exploring with his kids.
Mathew joined the Board of GiGi’s Playhouse NYC in 2021.
Carol Falcinelli, Member of Board of Directors
Carol Falcinelli is General Counsel for Private Client Select Insurance Services LLC (PCS). Before joining PCS in 2023, Carol held positions as General Counsel at Atlantic Global Risk, Chief Compliance Officer and Deputy Chief Legal Officer at Accion Opportunity Fund, and Partner with StoneTurn, a consulting firm.
Marta Baeza, Member of Board of Directors
Marta Baeza is Chief of Staff to the Head of US Wealth & Retirement at Black Rock.
Marta Joined the Board of GiGi’s Playhouse NYC in 2025
Yvette Cam Saffer, Member of Board of Directors
Yvette Cam Currently works as a Global Content Manager at Pfizer. In the Pharmaceutical Industry. She has expertise in medical affairs, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
Yvett isa a Medical Doctor and holds an MBA from Fox Business School.
Yvette and her husband Brett have one beautiful daughter, Samantha, that is an active participant at GiGi’s Playhouse, NYC.
Yvette Joined the Board of GiGi’s Playhouse NYC in 2025.
Board Emeritus
Ryan Brown
Ruth Erickson
Liza Galler
Sharon Hart-Fanelli
Gretchen Hayes
Jennifer Patterson
Frank Sawyer
Young Professional Board
Andrew Barclay, Structured Credit Investing, Anchorage Capital Advisors
Jozelle Cox, Credit Partner, Metro Bank
Nora Gross, Associate Teacher, The IDEAL School of Manhattan
Claudia Holub
Jennifer Katz, Office Assistant, Kennedys Law
Morgan Patterson, Senior Associate, Trammell Crow Company
Mariana Zamorano, Associate, BlackRock
Stuart Robinson, Sr. Account Executive, Healthcare and Life Sciences at Microsoft
Kailyn Myshrall, Associate Vice President, Prosek Partners
Youth Board
Thomas Braizinha
Annie O'Malley
Sebastian Weise
If your family, foundation, or corporation would be interested in becoming a Founders Circle member, please contact us at [email protected] or (646) 801-7529 for more detailed information about naming opportunities and other ways that we can acknowledge your partnership at the Playhouse