Staff
Alison Gratz, CCC/SLP
Alison lives in Sugar Land, TX with her husband, Andrew, and their three children, Seth, Anna, and Sara. Alison received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin in 1999, and her Master of Science in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2000. Alison has experience working in the public school system and the private clinic setting. She loves to spend time with her family and dogs, travel, scrapbook, watch baseball, and volunteer at organizations that are close to her heart. Alison believes that every individual deserves the opportunity to communicate with the world around them. She is excited to be a part of the GiGi’s Playhouse Sugar Land family and enjoys working with our families and lead our Amina Grace Speech & Language Program.
Chris Keenan, Program Coordinator
Chris Keenan, Program Coordinator, lives in Sugar Land, TX with her husband, Joe, and their two sons, Luke and James. She was born and raised in Illinois and graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Health and Safety Studies, Concentration in Health Education. She started her career presenting and evaluating preventive health programs – including weight loss, stress management and smoking cessation - in Chicago, IL. After a move with her husband to Dallas, she was an Education Coordinator at UT Southwestern Medical School, where she organized medical student preceptorships and managed data for program evaluation. Living in Sugar Land since 2005, while raising her two sons, she taught preschool and most recently served in an administrative assistant role at Reading Junior High School. Through her volunteer work, she has over a decade of experience coordinating and training volunteers, and event and activity planning. She loves reading historical fiction, cooking for her family and all forms of dance. Volunteering at GiGi’s opened her heart to our community and she is excited to be a part of it!
Candace Cowdery
Candace Cowdery lives in Richmond, TX with her husband, Stephen, and their daughter Clara Jean. Candace also has guardianship of her brother, Scott, who has autism. Candace received both her Bachelor of Science in Special Education and her Master of Education in Special Education Transition Services from Sam Houston State University. Go Bearkats! Candace has spent the last 7 years as a high school special education teacher in both Fort Bend ISD and Katy ISD. When she is not at GiGi’s, you can find her hanging out with her little one, eating brunch on a patio or at a Clements football game watching her husband coach. From a young age, Candace has felt called to help enrich the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is very excited to be a part of GiGi’s Playhouse family.
2025 Board of Directors
Alice Sims, President
Alice is a native Houstonian who currently resides in the Meyerland/Westbury area with her daughter Hailey (16yrs). She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and International Business from the University of Houston and went on to receive my Master’s in Business Administration from Texas Woman’s University. She is Project Manager at Texas Children’s Hospital where she has worked for the past 13 years. She received Hailey’s Translocation Down Syndrome diagnosis at birth. Since then she has been on a mission to seek the best care and environment for Hailey, which brought her to GiGi’s Playhouse. Hailey looks forward to participating in the GiGiFIT, Teen-tastic, and tutoring programs offered at the Playhouse where she meets new friends and gains strength and knowledge. Alice enjoys learning, conversing, and building relationships with other parents that a part of GiGi's community. In their spare time, you can find Hailey and Alice jamming at local concerts, catching the latest movie for our “movie dates”, or practicing for an audition to be Justin Bieber's backup dancers. Alice is extremely grateful to be a part of this year's Board and looks forward to continuing the amazing work and opportunities that Gigi’s Playhouse provides for our Down Syndrome community.
Marissa Dickerson, Secretary
Marissa Dickerson, Vice President, lives in Fulshear, TX with her husband, Matt, and their two children, Michael and Evelyn. Marissa graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and has worked for Baker Hughes as an analytical chemist for 12 years. Marissa and Matt received Michael’s Down syndrome diagnosis prenatally. Looking for resources for her son, Marissa found GiGi’s Playhouse Sugar Land shortly after Michael's birth in 2015. There, Marissa and her family were welcomed with open arms and felt right at home. Marissa fell in love with the Playhouse not only for the free purposeful programs that helped her son, but also for the connections, kindness, inclusion, love, and amazing community that GiGi’s provides. As a Board member, Marissa wants to continue that purpose for many more families who need a sense of belonging and to promote Down syndrome awareness and acceptance throughout the community.
Chip Norra, Treasurer
Chip was born in New Orleans, grew up in the Houston Metro area and now resides in Missouri City. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree with a double major in Accounting and Finance from Houston Baptist University and a Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral Theology from St. Joseph's College in Maine.
Chip learned about Gigi's in 2017 while attending a luncheon and decided that day that he would make it a point to volunteer once he retired. Fast forward to 2023, Chip retired after a 45-year career with J.P. Morgan Chase, and in August of 2023 signed up to volunteer. He is enjoying the time he is spending with all his new Gigi friends.
Briana White
Briana White, Board Secretary, lives in Pearland, TX with her husband Brian and son Jackson (2). After graduating from Texas State University in 2008, Briana spent 7 years as a classroom teacher in the Midland/Odessa area. It was during this time Briana continued her education and received a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from UTPB. In 2015, Briana and Brian learned they were pregnant with their first son who would be born with Down syndrome and would require extensive heart surgery shortly after birth. Within days of learning their baby boy’s news, Briana’s husband was offered transfer within his company bringing them to the Houston area. This move was a God send for the White family. Very shortly after moving to Pearland Luke was born and spent 4 months in the NICU. It was at this time, Briana and Brian spent time researching to find available resources to aide Luke in meeting and exceeding his full potential as a child with special needs. Briana was introduced to GiGi’s Playhouse Sugar Land and immediately knew this was the place for Luke to learn and grow. A place where he would be accepted and loved. On September 20, 2021 (Luke’s Birthday) Luke went down for a nap at his school and woke up in the arms of Jesus. An unimaginable loss Brian and Briana never thought they would experience. However, even with the loss of their precious 6-year-old boy, Briana is actively continuing Luke’s legacy by advocating and loving on families with children of all abilities.
Shawn Tracey
Shawn Tracey lives in Pearland, Texas with his wife, Tracy, and their two daughters Sailor and Sloan. Shawn and Tracy were Ohio natives and expats in the oil & gas industry before receiving Sailor’s Down syndrome diagnosis and deciding to move to Texas for the educational and medical resources for Sailor. Shawn is a licensed attorney with approximately 20 years of experience including more than 14 years with Marathon Oil Company in various business and legal leadership roles. Shawn has significant executive and board level experience and currently sits on the Board of Directors for Marathon’s international subsidiary. Shawn is inspired every day by his daughter, Sailor, and is passionate about sharing her journey and dispelling misconceptions about those with Down syndrome.
Matt Cartier
Matt lives in Sugar Land, TX with his wife Elin and three kids: Dylan, Holly and Lyle. Elin and Matt received Holly’s prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis in 2017 and were referred to GiGi’s Playhouse Sugar Land by a genetic counselor. Later that day, they drove to GiGi’s Playhouse to find out more about their daughter’s new diagnosis and what GiGi’s would be able to offer Holly. The Cartier family has been involved with the GiGi’s community ever since. In 2009, Matt graduated from Texas Tech’s Rawls College of Business with a Bachelor of Business Management. Since graduating Matt has been in the waste and recycling industry and currently holds the role as Regional Vice President for GFL Environmental. In his spare time Matt loves to golf, watch football (cheering on the Texans and Texas Tech Red Raiders) and travel with his family.
Emma Orellana
I live in Missouri City with my husband and two kids, Cristiano 9 yrs. old and Mia is 1 yr. old. I graduated from HBU in 2007. Shortly after graduating I started working in sales for an events ticket company up until Mia's birth. I was told about GiGis Playhouse at the Hospital when Mia was born but didn't make my way there until 9 Months later and we haven't left! Mia's my social butterfly and the reason I want to be a part of everything Down Syndrome. I enjoy running and spending time with family and friends. I love dancing and embracing my Latin roots.
Megan Neely
Megan lives in Richmond, TX with her husband, Mike, and daughter, Savannah. After graduating from Texas Lutheran University in 2011, she worked as a High School English Teacher and then a Financial Advisor before having her daughter. Megan now works part-time for her husband’s construction company while also staying home to raise their daughter, Savannah. Megan found GiGi’s Playhouse through her older brother, Chance, who has Down Syndrome. It was after seeing the positive impact that the Playhouse had on Chance and his peers that she knew she wanted to become more involved. Megan has a passion for serving individuals with Down Syndrome and other disabilities, and she is happy to be a part of GiGi’s Playhouse Sugar Land.