GiGi’s Playhouse Simi Valley 2024 Site Manager & Board Members
Catey Franklin, Site Manager
Catey feels extremely honored and delighted to be the Site Manager of Simi Valley's Gigi's Playhouse.
She has over 17 years of diverse management experience, encompassing a range of roles and responsibilities.
Eager to contribute, she looks forward to bringing her skills and diligent work ethic to enhance the atmosphere at the playhouse.
Throughout her career, she has closely collaborated with individuals with special needs. She has a genuine passion for fostering love, positivity, and cultivating a warm and secure environment.
Catey cherishes quality time with her family, especially with her daughter, Juliette. As a member of a close-knit family, she finds immense joy in extending warmth and fostering connections among the wonderful individuals who visit Gigi's Playhouse.
Kirsten Riddick, Board President
A busy mom to three children, Kirsten and her husband, David are both career educators. Kirsten is an elementary school teacher at Katherine Elementary in the Simi Valley School District, where she found her first teaching position after graduating from Pepperdine University and never left, now having taught for over 25 years in the district. She is actively involved at her church, where she serves in kids ministry and leads a couples life group with her husband. When she can find spare time in her schedule, Kirsten loves to exercise, bake, cook, and entertain family and friends.
When her daughter, Ellie, was born with Down syndrome, Kirsten naturally sought out ways to best teach her, to ensure Ellie could effectively access the curriculum and achieve steadily and progressively. Kirsten was instrumental in sparking the plan to bring GiGi’s Playhouse to Simi Valley, and her educational experience will be invaluable in recommending and determining our program offerings. Kirsten is thrilled to serve as the founding Board President and work with the amazing members of our board to see GiGi’s Playhouse Simi Valley open in 2023! Equally important for Kirsten is that her daughter will be able to foster lifelong friendships within her community.
Doreen Stoutland, Board Vice President
Doreen is overjoyed to be a part of GiGi’s Playhouse Simi Valley. Doreen is a wife, mother of three adult children and GiGi to her two precious grandsons. Doreen met her husband Dean as a Senior in high school and has been married for 42 years.
Kasey, her youngest daughter, now 34 years old was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth. Although surprised by the news, she took a deep breath and looked to God for peace and understanding. She has been a resource for countless new parents of children born with Ds. For years, whenever her pediatrician treated a new baby born with Down syndrome, he would refer the parents to her for connection and encouragement. Doreen will continue to advocate for Kasey and others and is excited to see GiGi’s Playhouse Simi Valley open in late 2023!
Over the years Doreen has dedicated many years to PTA’s, fundraising, volunteering and serving on non-profit boards. Along the way she had the opportunity to be employed by her high school’s alumni Office of Development and developed skills and knowledge in organizing large events. Doreens passions include crafting, event planning, decorating and spending time with family and friends.
Andrea Lopez, Board Secretary
Andrea's excited to have a GiGi's Playhouse coming to her own backyard in Simi Valley. She is a mom to four (three girls and one boy). Her youngest, Amado, was given a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. He is such a joy to their lives. Andrea wants to foster a world where her son is seen, heard, and has a place he belongs. GiGi’s Playhouse will be a place where he can bring his older sisters that is his to share with them. Through Amado’s physical therapist, Andrea met a group of moms who also have children with DS and acknowledges how much she learns from them as they share the experience together. She looks forward to GiGi’s Playhouse being a hub where whole families can come together, learn from each other, and have a shared vision for our children of all ages.
Andrea is co-founder of a nonprofit, Connectopod Learning, a podcast led by young people to amplify youth voices. She has worked in nonprofit programming and management and grant writing for over 15 years and enjoys creating and funding intentional programming for kids in out-of-school settings. When she is not working, Andrea enjoys cooking, baking, and exploring local hiking trails with her family.
Ashley Duran, Board Treasurer
Ashley is a loving wife and mother, navigating the complexities of life with grace and strength. Her story is not only one of professional success but also a testament to her resilience, love for her family, and the power of community support in facing life's unexpected challenges. Ashley resides in Northridge, California, alongside her husband Chris and their daughter, Harlee.
Ashley and her husband Chris share a remarkable journey of love and companionship that spans nearly two decades. Their story began when they first crossed paths during Chris's professional motorcycle racing career, where the thrill of speed and adrenaline brought them together. The shared passion for this exhilarating sport laid the foundation for a strong and enduring connection.
Their journey took a unique turn with the prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome and an Encephalocele, which is a rare birth defect where the tissue covering the brain and a portion of the brain protrude through openings in the skull. In the face of the unknown, Ashley and Chris found unwavering support from family and friends and sought out valuable resources to educate themselves about Down syndrome.
When the warmer months arrive, the Duran family indulges in a range of outdoor activities. From boating to camping and off-roading adventures, they cherish quality time together, creating lasting memories amidst nature. Additionally, tropical vacations offer them a chance to unwind and explore new horizons, further strengthening the family bond.
Professionally, Ashley has dedicated over 20 years to the banking industry, currently serving as a Relationship Manager at the Bank of Southern California. Her role emphasizes the importance of customer service and effective communication, skills she has honed over the years. Ashley's commitment to her career showcases her dedication and proficiency in the field of commercial banking.
Ashley and Chris's journey is a testament to their determination to live life to the fullest, embracing each moment and breaking barriers along the way. Together, they have made it a priority to demonstrate to the world that their daughter, Harlee, is no different than any other child. Embracing inclusion, they actively engage in community softball events and participate in various school activities, breaking down stereotypes and fostering understanding. Through their shared experiences and love for adventure, the Duran family continues to inspire others to appreciate the beauty of diversity and the joy found in simple, shared moments.
Ashley Duran's commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond her personal life and professional endeavors. She is excited to serve on the Board for Gigi's Playhouse of Simi Valley, a role that allows her to contribute actively to the Down syndrome community. This involvement reflects Ashley's dedication to paving the way for her daughter Harlee and other individuals with Down syndrome. As a board member, Ashley brings her wealth of experience, resilience, and passion for advocacy to create a welcoming and supportive environment for families in the Down syndrome community. Her goal is not only to provide resources and support but also to foster a sense of community and inclusivity.
Nancy Zazanis
Nancy worked in special education for Los Angeles Unified School District for over 25 years. Recently retired, she and her husband, Frank (her high school sweetheart) just celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary. She is the mother of a 43-year-old daughter, Mindy, who has Down syndrome, and an adult son, Frank Jr., who is married and has blessed her with two grandchildren. Nancy has a 63-year-old autistic brother who lives independently, and an autistic 5-year-old grandson. Her extensive experience in the special needs area will be invaluable as we look for ways to best meet the needs of our adult DS community.
Nancy has been advocating for Down syndrome community for over 40 years and has helped pave the way for inclusion for the generations of DS families that followed. Her daughter Mindy works at Lowe’s, a job she loves and has had for 12 years, where she is paid prevailing wages and seen as a valued employee. Mindy also teaches Zumba classes, has developed lifelong friendships both in and out of the DS community, and lives at home with her parents.
Nancy loves scrapbooking and playing games. She brings experience and wisdom to our team and is looking forward to supporting the launch of GiGi’s Playhouse Simi Valley in any way that she can.
Keith Whitney
Keith was born and raised in a very small rural farm country in Southern Illinois. Only the first 5 years of life were spent on a farm, where his parents, sharecroppers, were provided a house and worked to earn a percentage of the crops they produced. Before Keith turned 6, his family quit farming to move to a small farm town of 750 people to run a one-room country grocery store on U.S. Route 37 (about 2 1/2 hours south of Chicago. Three small rooms attached to the store would be his parents’ home until the last (his father) died in 1981. By then, the families of Keith’s two brothers and his sister were succeeding, and Keith was a City Attorney and labor lawyer in Illinois. Shortly after his father’s death, Keith returned to university teaching.
Keith’s varied academic career began at small religiously affiliated colleges (math at Harding University and religion at Freed Hardeman University. Somewhat lost in indecision, Keith then enlisted in the United States Air Force (1966). Instead of escaping academia, Keith’s first duty station was as a student of Russian Language & History at Syracuse University (a special 9-month program for entrance into USAF Security Services (military intelligence). After 4 years an Air Medal with Oak Leaf, Keith left the Air Force to enter Eastern Illinois University, where he completed B.S. & MBA degrees in Finance. He then entered a doctoral program in Finance (in DBA STUDY, 1973-77) and (simultaneously, the School of Law, also at Texas Tech University, pursuing a Juris Doctorate (a J.D. (1974-77, with Juris Doctorate earned in June of 1977). He worked in tax accounting in St. Louis for one year, but begam the full-time practiced law in Illinois soon after the Illinois Bar Exam results were released. While Whitney & Taylor flourished in many ways, Keith still longed for a more sane family life; therefore, in 1981, he returned to college teaching (first at Freed-Hardeman (1981-Spring 1983, then at Pepperdine University (1983-1986 and 1990-to July 31, 2017, when he retired after a total 30-year career at Pepperdine with the lifetime designation: Professor Emeritus of Business Ethics and Law. While at Pepperdine, Keith also served for 7 years as Chair (now titled, “Divisional Dean”) of the Business Division of Seaver College (Pepperdine University, Malibu. Keith’s other experiences included being a pulpit minister in the Churches of Christ, typically serving churches while working full-time in academia, teaching terms in Heidelberg, Germany and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Keith has been married to his wife Karen for 52 years. They are Blessed with two daughters: Kirsten and Kari, each of whom is married to a man Keith and his wife Karen are proud to call “son-in-law,” because each is loved as a son. They have 5 amazing grandchildren: Jackson, Troy, ELLIE (who has Downs Syndrome), Jamie, and Reese. Ellie has improved each of our lives, as we have learned more about love and the power of inclusion, as we marvel at the achievements possible through the sheer determination of courageous people with an extra 21st chromosome. It is a pleasure to serve with others in helping such determined individuals grow and contribute to a wonderful world.
Rosemary Joslin
Rosemary Joslin is delighted to be a part of GiGi’s Playhouse here in Simi Valley. She is a Physical Therapist currently working in the Early Start Program through Regional Center. She attained her undergraduate degree from CSUN where she also attended PT school. She and her husband Michael have been married for 32 years and together they raised three sons.
She started her career 30 years ago at Northridge Hospital in Neurological Rehabilitation, working with patients with spinal cord injuries, stroke, and head trauma. She then found her love of pediatrics in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) and outpatient pediatrics.
As her family grew, she transitioned through home health care, CCS, and school district physical therapy to where she is currently and has been for the past 25 years: in the Early Start program with Regional Center serving the 0-3 age group.
She has served several families that are now part of a core group who have worked extremely hard to get GiGi’s Playhouse in her hometown of Simi Valley. She has enjoyed staying connected with these families to see so many of her former clients grow up!