Our Team
Karen Connelly, Site Manager
Karen comes to us with over twenty years experience in child development and leadership. She is a former Developmental Therapist and is currently certified as a Child Life Specialist. Her various roles have allowed her to support children, families and professionals in community and home-based settings. Most recently, Karen managed volunteer and child life services in a children's hospital. She lives in Midlothian with her husband, teenage son and fur babies. "I am committed to supporting individuals and families on the south side and am excited to join the GiGi's family"!
Celine Bucci, Development & Operations Coordinator
Celine started her journey with GiGi's Playhouse by serving on the opening Board for the Oak Forest location in 2013. She lives in Homewood with her two children, John and Gigi. She has attended many GiGi's programs over the years with Gigi, who has Down syndrome. Celine has experience in advertising, in the culinary arts as a Pastry Chef Instructor, and most recently, at her kids' high school assisting two departments. She holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame and is an avid fan of all things ND. Celine is very excited to blend her skills with her passion for advocating for acceptance and inclusion for people with Down syndrome.
Kathy Klyczek, Literacy Coordinator
Kathy has been a volunteer at GiGi’s Playhouse Tinley Park since 2017, and a Literacy Tutor since 2018. Kathy worked in elementary and special education for over 30 years before retiring in 2021. She holds a Masters's degree in both Special Education and Educational Administration from St. Xavier University. Kathy and her husband, Tony, live in Palos Heights and have adult twin daughters.
Kathy is looking forward to her new role as Literacy Tutoring Coordinator. She hopes to offer support to our current tutors and to expand the program to include more students and volunteer tutors.
Molly Chesna, President
Molly Chesna has been a member of the Playhouse since her daughter, Mackenzie, was born in 2020. GiGi's has always been a place for her and her family to feel at home. Molly lives in Orland Park with her husband, Nick, and their daughters, Parker and Mack. She is a Small Business Portfolio Manager for Busey Bank. When she is not working, Molly enjoys listening to live music, traveling to beach towns, and planning activities for her family. Molly is thrilled to be a part of the GiGi's Board and hopes to spread the word about this wonderful place.
Bridget Davis, Vice President
Bridget Davis and her family started coming to GiGi's Playhouse shortly after her daughter, Hope, was born in 2022. Bridget became a board member of GiGi's Playhouse Tinley Park when Hope turned 1!
Bridget lives in Palos Heights with her husband, Dan, and their three children, Danny, Grace, and Hope. Bridget is a partner at the law firm Berger Schatz in Chicago, Illinois. Bridget likes to go on spontaneous trips with her family and spend as much time outside as possible. Hope has taught Bridget and her entire family, as well as her friends, so much about Down Syndrome. Bridget is excited and honored to be a board member of GiGi's Playhouse Tinley Park.
Tom Olofsson, Secretary
Tom Olofsson is an attorney based in Chicago. His practice is limited to Estate Planning including Wills, Trusts, Special Needs, and Medicaid Planning. Tom has been in practice for 26 years. He is married to Susan. They have three adult children and four grandchildren. He became involved with Special Needs planning after being invited to a parents day at a local non-profit in 1996. He became involved with GiGi’s after being invited to an open house in 2016.
Greg Hammer, Treasurer
Greg joined the Board in March 2024 shortly after being introduced to Gigi’s Playhouse Tinley Park. He grew up in Rockford Illinois but has lived in Lockport for the last 22 years. He is married to Melissa and they have two daughters Megan and Lauren. Greg graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in Finance and is a CPA. He has worked as a Finance executive for 25 years and is hoping to use those skills in the Treasurer role.
Nancy Mines, Fundraising
Nancy is a Senior Account Director for brand strategy & design firm ColorJar. Nancy has 15+ years leading design, brand strategy, and innovation initiatives for companies such as Ocean Spray, Nestlé, and Abbott Nutrition. She has deep expertise in Agile and Design Thinking processes, transforming brands and businesses in service of growth. Nancy attended Columbia College Chicago, where she earned her Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree. She then earned her MBA from Roosevelt University. Nancy joined the GiGi’s Playhouse Tinley Park Board in December 2019. Nancy’s brother-in-law, Tommy Mines, has Down syndrome and has attended Park Lawn for 47 years.
Laura Savant, Board Member
Laura has been an integral part of the Playhouse since our doors opened in 2013. Her nephew “Mayor Matt” has been her driving force. In addition to being a Board Member, Laura is a volunteer leader of our Adult Cooking Club and she plans to be even more involved with adult programming in the future. She currently works in transfusion services at a local hospital.
John Haddad, Board Member
John has been a member of the GiGi’s Playhouse Tinley Park Family since his daughter, Alayna, turned 1 in 2017. You can always find him at one of our programs rooting her on. He is a partner in Reload Transportation Services, a logistics company and a Real Estate Agent with Better Homes and Gardens. In his spare time, John loves to spend his time with his daughters, Alayna and Abigail, watching Disney movies, doing projects, and having dance parties. They along with his wife, Liz, currently reside in Palos Heights.
Camille O'Quin, Board Member
Camille has 25 years of experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) in the Chicagoland area, specializing in cultural linguistic diverse children and adults with exceptionalities. Camille currently serves as a Professor in the Communication Disorders Program at Governors State University (GovState). Camille became involved with GiGi’s through her work at GovState in 2023 and was honored to join the board in 2024. A lifelong resident of the Chicago Southland, Camille has been married to Troy O’Quin since 2002 and is the mother of twins Abigail and Sophia, born 2009. Camille is certified by the Illinois State Board of Education as both an SLP and a Special Education Director and holds SLP licensures at both national and state levels. She earned a Doctorate in Special Education from Illinois State University, a Master's in Speech-Language Pathology from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor's in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Bridget Larson, Board Member
Bridget Larson is a Chicago Southside Native and comes to us after 6 years in the US Army as a Military Police Officer. She currently fulfills her role as a Construction Underwriter for Travelers Insurance. Bridget has been part of the Playhouse since her son RJ was born in 2021. Bridget lives in Lockport with her husband, Mike, and their two children, RJ and Charlie. Bridget loves all things about sports like the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Blackhawks. RJ has changed their families lives in countless ways and has opened up the doors to learning about what awareness, inclusion, and acceptance truly means. Bridget is excited to join the team and make a difference not only in her community but across other organizations as well!