Getting to know our board – meet the president

Last fall, a series of blog articles titled “Getting to Know Our Board” featured a few of our board members. The playhouse has experienced several changes since then including a new board president. We are thankful for our board and all they do for the playhouse. The month of giving thanks seems to be the best time to bring back that series and continue with board introductions. Below you will see a note from the current president including insight into why he became involved with GiGi’s.

My name is Jayson Johnson, the current President of the Board for GiGi’s Quad Cities.  I have three simple things that answer the question of why I am involved with GiGi’s: 1) Supporting needs in our community is an important way to ensure we grow together 2) I like being a part of something that I can see direct results 3) I enjoy the people involved at all levels of the organization, as they provide the foundation for energy, creativeness and positive change.

I have worked for John Deere for over 15 years, currently as a project manager.  When I found GiGi’s, I was finishing my Master’s in Organizational Change Leadership through the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.  I had the idea that instead of doing a final capstone project related to Deere, I would seek a local non-profit with an interest in my help.  I found that in GiGi’s, which allowed me to observe operations and processes for several months, then offer alternative ways to look at their operations.  With graduation, I felt I was not ready to be done, so I stayed on as a literacy tutor and proposed joining the board and then taking on the leadership role in July 2016 to help continue the great work of my peers.

Today we are moving forward with tenacity and great purpose to provide the best programming we can, free of charge.  We wish to develop, inspire and change the perception of Down syndrome…together.