getting to know our board – former president

Part two of the 2016 “Getting to Know Our Board”. This individual recently served as the board president and although he is no longer in that position, he remains on the board and is very active in the current strategic planning taking place for the year 2017.

My name is Brian Yaklich and I have been a GiGi’s Playhouse Quad Cities board member since 2014.  I grew up in Erie, Illinois and attended Illinois State University where I received a degree in Finance.  I have worked for Blackhawk Bank & Trust for the past 9 years, serving as Compliance Officer.

I came to know GiGi’s Playhouse in April of 2013, a month after my daughter Zoey was born.  As new parents of a child with Down syndrome, our biggest worry was the unknown.  GiGi’s Playhouse helped my wife and I gather resources and put us in touch with other parents that we could learn what to expect from.

My wife, Michelle, and I currently live in Prophetstown, IL with our beautiful, rambunctious three year old and a 7 month old son, Maddox.  We enjoy spending time with our family and friends, golfing, and going for long walks.  Most of all, we enjoy watching our little girl grow up and appreciate all of the small things in life that we, ourselves, sometimes take for granted.

I look forward to seeing the strides that GiGi’s Playhouse continues to make in providing purposeful programming and services to families like my own!