Our Team
Board of Directors
Michelle Pfeiffer, President
Michelle lives in Cary with her husband and three children, Andrew, Anna, and Ashley. Her daughter Anna has Down syndrome and provides the passion for her to help improve the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. Michelle is also the Founder and Director of Anna’s Angels Foundation, a nonprofit foundation focused on funding Down syndrome research at Duke Children’s Hospital and Health Center. Anna’s Angels mission is to improve the cognitive and communicative ability of individuals with Down syndrome.
Michelle Schwab, Vice President
Michelle lives in Apex, in an empty nest with her husband Robert after their 3 sons including Matthew, who is 24 and has Down syndrome, have moved out. After 20+ years as a stay-at-home mom and community volunteer, Michelle now helps manage Matthew's public speaking business and supports Matthew as he navigates living independently. Michelle became involved in the Down syndrome community when Matthew was born and has stayed involved ever since. She is grateful to have been part of the start-up team for GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh and to serve on the Board of Directors.
Maria Fumagalli de Romano, Board member / New Family Coordinator
Maria is originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina and has lived in Chapel Hill, NC since July of 1993. She and her husband Francisco have three children: Maria (age 30), Lucia who has Down syndrome (age 25), and Francisco (age 23). Maria was a stay-at-home mom for most of her children's upbringing. Maria volunteered in the early stages when Triangle Down Syndrome Network was being formed (now the North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance). In 2015 Maria was a part of the GiGi's Playhouse Raleigh start-up committee and she continues to serve on the Board as the New Family Coordinator. For the past 11 years, she has been working at UNC Craniofacial Center as a Spanish Interpreter.
Denise Hards, Treasurer
Having spent 25 years in North Carolina, Denise relocated to Southern Pines upon her retirement from Duke Energy in 2020. With over 40 years of experience in the financial field, she held various roles, progressing from accountant to vice president of finance and treasurer. Since 2017, Denise's cousin's family has actively participated in and supported GiGi’s Playhouse. Honored to contribute, Denise provides financial management and guidance to the board and organization, aligning with the goals and mission of GiGi’s Playhouse.
Bryan Huffman, Board Member
Bryan Huffman is the Chief Financial Officer for Williams Realty & Building Company. Bryan has extensive financial and real estate experience with over two decades of senior leadership. Prior to working at Williams Realty & Building Company, Bryan worked for 26 years at the YMCA of the Triangle, with the last 10 as Chief Financial Officer. In his current role, Bryan oversees Finance, Accounting, IT and Human Resources at Williams as the company plans significant growth in the coming years. Bryan received both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration from North Carolina State University. He enjoys spending time with his family at the beach, and is involved in various charitable organizations around the Triangle area. He lives in Cary, NC with his wife and two children. Volunteering at GiGi’s is a family affair. Bryan’s wife and daughter are regular volunteers at various GiGi’s programs.
Lossie Smalls-Webb, Board Member
Lossie Smalls-Webb, an ageless woman born on October 23, 1947, grew up in a loving family in Pantego, North Carolina. Her father, a minister and Grassroots Civil Rights leader, instilled in her a passion for equal rights. With a strong desire for education and achievement, she became the Salutatorian of her high school class in 1966. Choosing North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, she became the first in her family to receive a higher education degree in business administration. Inspired by her upbringing, Lossie developed an interest in defending the rights of others, which led her to work as a consultant for minority small businesses and as a realtor in Charleston, South Carolina. As a devoted mother of three sons and caregiver to two grandsons, she became a champion for special needs individuals and their families. Lossie's advocacy work intensified during her time with the Family Support Organization in New Jersey, where she fought against the mistreatment of children with special needs. In the community, she volunteered as a Literacy Tutor and serves as a docent at the NC Museum of History. Professionally, Lossie is a licensed Life Insurance Agent in Primerica, aiming to educate and support families in protecting their loved ones with insurance.
Matthew Schwab, Board Member
Matthew Schwab is a 25-year-old North Carolina native who recently realized a life-long dream of living on his own, in an apartment with his younger brother.
In addition to being a public speaker (check out MatthewSchwabSpeaks.com), Matthew works at Ruckus Pizza, Pasta & Spirits. In addition to serving on the Board of GiGi’s, Matthew volunteers as an ambassador and gives Playhouse tours. He recently began serving on the Board of First in Families of NC as well.
Matthew is passionate about raising awareness about Down syndrome and the entire IDD community. In 2019, he gave a TEDx talk about the importance of employing those with IDD.
Matthew and his long-time girlfriend have been learning to ballroom dance for about 2 years.
Shelly Toro, Secretary
Shelly and her family have lived in North Carolina since 2007. She and her husband Pepe have three children: Jose, Javier, and Mia. Her daughter Mia has Down syndrome and is the passion behind Shelly's connection and commitment to GiGi's Playhouse. Shelly has had the privilege of working in the early child education setting for 23 years and is now homeschooling her daughter Mia.
Over the past 25 years, Shelly has assisted in and organized many programs and activities across educational, church, and recreational settings, with a focus on empowering the Down syndrome community. Since the adoption of Mia in 2013, Shelly has also been a passionate advocate for the adoption community. Her mission is to show the world that individuals with Down syndrome are capable, able, and valued members of society.
Paul Yokabitus, Board Member
Paul is an estate planning attorney and founder of Cary Estate Planning, a Triangle-based law firm focusing exclusively on estate planning services. A focus of Paul's practice is Complete Disability Planning, which includes the creation of legal, financial, and resource plans that contemplate supporting parents of a child with a disability now, in retirement, and after the death of the parent(s). It combines estate planning, fee-only fiduciary financial planning, and resource navigation and planning services for busy parents and those seeking to have a more confident plan for what life will look like for their child(ren) after the parent(s) is no longer here. Paul was previously a member of the Board of Directors for Triangle Disability and Autism Services and the Carying Place. His wife, Alix, is a social worker with Cary Estate Planning and works with the Board of Directors of Five Hearts Therapeutic Horsemanship and the Brady Valcho Autism Foundation. Paul and his family live in the Apex area and are actively involved in the Cary community.
Ashley AuBuchon-Arcand, Board Member
Ashley AuBuchon-Arcand is no stranger to Gigi's as she has been bringing her daughter, Margot, to our Early Learners programs since 2022.
In addition to Ashley's family being part of the Down syndrome community, Ashley brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Board. For the past fifteen years, she has led global transformations at IBM leveraging her Thought Leadership in Strategy and Communications. She is also a keynote speaker and career coach, who has helped over 100,000 people around the world become better communicators and advocates for themselves.
Ashley is originally from Southeast Missouri, and has been living in Holly Springs, NC since 2020 with her husband (Robert), 8-year-old son (Theodore), and 2-year-old daughter with Down syndrome (Margot).
Brooke Huckabee, Board Member
Brooke is the Sr. Director of Product Marketing and Sales Enablement at SAS, leading strategies that empower sales teams and bring SAS Risk, Fraud, and Compliance solutions to life. Recognized as one of Triangle Business Journal’s "40 Under 40," she is a passionate advocate for Women in Analytics, particularly in Fraud and Financial Crimes.
Beyond her career, Brooke is committed to community service. She serves as Secretary on the board of the Identity Theft Resource Center and leads the ballet program at GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh, teaching a monthly ballet class. And for a fun twist, she also teaches trampoline fitness classes.
With her background in marketing and enablement, she looks forward to helping expand GiGi’s Playhouse’s presence and outreach. Her experience in branding, prospecting for sponsors and supporters, and strategic communications can help strengthen community engagement and fundraising efforts—ensuring that even more individuals and families benefit from the Playhouse’s life-changing programs. Whether in the corporate world or through volunteer work, Brooke is dedicated to driving impact, fostering inclusion, and inspiring change.
Staff
Jeanhee Hoffman, Executive Director
Jeanhee and her husband live in Cary, after raising their two sons in Chapel Hill for 17 years. After visiting the National GiGi’s Playhouse in 2015 in Chicago, she wanted to help open the first GiGi’s Playhouse in North Carolina. Her younger brother, Sam, who has Down syndrome, was her inspiration to provide a “place” for families like hers to come and learn through their programs. She left a 26-year career in the finance world to fully dedicate her time to bring awareness and build relationships in our community to change the perception of Down syndrome.
Jeanhee’s role started as Founder, then President from 2016 through 2019, and currently serves as Executive Director. One thing is consistent: her belief in our participants and their futures.
Kaylee Saunders, Program Coordinator
Kaylee is a recent graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she majored in Human Development and Family Studies. During the Spring of her senior year, Kaylee interned at GiGi's and was able to fulfill her passion of working with individuals with disabilities. This passion was developed at an early age when she was able to go to work with her mother at a program for individuals with autism. Kaylee is excited to continue working with her friends at the Playhouse and to carry out the mission of GiGi's.
Nicole Kristal, Adult Program Manager
Nicole comes to GiGi’s Playhouse by way of the San Francisco Bay Area of California. She received her master’s in occupational therapy from San Jose State University. Nicole began working with exceptional children at age 17, when she fell in love with a child with autism and never wanted to do anything else with her life but to serve and love exceptional children. She has experience working in sensory integration clinics, schools, and even camp settings. As an occupational therapist, Nicole has years of experience working with children and adults with Down syndrome, autism, ADD/ADHD, sensory processing disorders, general motor delays, as well as other developmental delays. Nicole shares a deep love for the Down syndrome community, in particular, she loves the way people with Down syndrome radiate a joy and zeal for life that is infectious to be around. Nicole is excited to move from the clinical setting into the GiGi’s Playhouse model as she believes whole-heartedly in the ability of natural, play-based settings to build skills and create positive, accepting communities. Nicole looks forward to seeing GiGi’s participants grow and thrive in their daily lives! In her free time, Nicole performs improvisational comedy at a theater in Raleigh. She enjoys camping, dancing, live music, kayaking, and hiking.
Sandy Hankinson – Operations Coordinator
Sandy attended the University of Michigan where she studied Organizational Behavior and Management and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Health Services Administration. After working in northern California in the healthcare field for ten years, she and her husband, Matt, moved to North Carolina. She spent the next decade serving in multiple roles for non-profit organizations including President of local PTAs, Volunteer Coordinator of her neighborhood swim team, and President of a local National Charity League chapter while raising their three children (John, Olivia, and Clara).
Sandy was initially introduced to GiGi’s Playhouse as a volunteer with her daughters. She was particularly drawn to the positive atmosphere at GiGi’s and the sheer joy that flows from the participants, volunteers, and staff. As GiGi’s continues to grow, Sandy is excited to bring in more volunteers and support the wonderful programming that makes GiGi’s such a special place.