Michelle Jackson: The Quiet Engine Behind Everything We’ve Built

Michelle is a founding volunteer whose grit, precision, and unwavering commitment have shaped GiGi’s Playhouse Orange County from vision to lasting impact

Michelle Jackson has been part of GiGi’s Playhouse Orange County since before we ever opened our doors. 

She was there during the Believe in Our Build campaign, helping raise the funds that made this Playhouse possible in the first place. Before there were programs, before there were participants filling the rooms, Michelle was already doing the work. 

Since then, she has served on the Board in both Programs and Events, but what she has contributed goes far beyond any title. Michelle has led the planning and execution of our last four galas and three golf tournaments, increasing revenue year after year. Every single one of us knows what those events require. The hours, the moving pieces, the pressure to get it right. 

Michelle carries an extraordinary amount of that load. 

From volunteer coordination and vendor management to guest experience, data tracking, seating charts, golf pairings, and run of show, she handles the details most people don’t even realize exist. And she does it with a level of precision, thoughtfulness, and consistency that has become foundational to our success. 

What makes this even more remarkable is what she faced this past year. 

In August, Michelle was in a serious accident that left her in recovery for months, right in the middle of golf tournament planning. Even from a hospital bed, she was still checking in and helping guide the team. Eventually, we stepped in so she could focus on healing, but that instinct to keep showing up says everything about her. 

By November, Michelle was back and leading gala planning, which became our highest grossing gala to date. 

If you didn’t know what she had just gone through, you would never guess. That is a testament to her grit, her determination, and her commitment to this organization. 

Michelle is an instrumental member of this Board. Alongside being a wife, mother, and preschool teacher, she continues to give an incredible amount of her time, talent, and financial support to GiGi’s Playhouse Orange County. 

And on a personal note, she is also one of my closest friends. I have the unique privilege of seeing both the behind-the-scenes effort and the heart that drives it. We are incredibly lucky to have her in both roles. 

GiGi’s Playhouse Orange County would not be where it is today without Michelle. Her impact is woven into the foundation of this organization, and her continued leadership is a big part of where we are headed. 

We owe her a tremendous amount of gratitude.

GiGi’s Playhouse Orange County is more than a place…it is a community. It is a space where individuals with Down syndrome and their families are celebrated, supported, and empowered. Every program, event, and activity is designed to build confidence, develop skills, and foster lifelong friendships. Here, participants are seen, heard, and loved for exactly who they are. Volunteers, donors, families, and friends come together to create an environment where kindness meets joy, and every small act makes a lasting difference. GiGi’s is a place where everyone belongs, and everyone thrives.