Greetings from the GiGi's Playhouse - Twin Cities Board of Directors!
We are pleased about your interest in GiGi's Twin Cities, where we offer a wide range of educational, therapeutic, skill-building, and social programs for people of all ages with Down syndrome and their families - for FREE. We are proud of the strong community we have built and we encourage your involvement. There are many opportunities to join committees, volunteer, and participate, and we welcome your input. Please contact our Operations Manager, Amy Wexler (awexler@gigisplayhouse.org) for all Playhouse related questions and our Executive Director, Katherine Rebstock (krebstock@gigisplayhouse.org) for board-related questions or comments.
GiGi's Playhouse - Twin Cities Board of Directors
Matt McDonald, President
Matt McDonald is a medical technology sales leader with Medtronic. He earned a data-and-technology-driven MBA from Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. Matt and his wife Ashley are graduates of St. Olaf College and currently live in Minnetonka. He will bring diverse experience to our board, helping GiGi’s Playhouse Twin Cities to achieve our mission.
Matt’s passion to increase accessibility to GiGi’s Playhouse support network stems from his daughter, Macy Rae. Macy has Down syndrome and is a proud daughter, sister to Margot, cousin to many, and grandchild. She brings an incredible smile and unbelievable will to try. The McDonald family wants to show the community the same support they have received.
Christine Broder - Vice President
Christine Broder received her BS in Elementary Education from the University of MN, Twin Cities. She worked in Minneapolis Public Schools teaching 1st and 2nd grade and as a Differentiation Specialist. During this time, she completed her Masters of Education from the University of St. Thomas. Christine is passionate about working with children and families, especially in the Down Syndrome Community. In 2016, Christine’s oldest daughter, Kit, was born with Down syndrome. Kit, with her younger sisters Bella and Frankie, bring Christine so much joy! Her family resides in Southwest Minneapolis, where they can be found playing at parks, enjoying the community, and of course, eating lots of Broders’ pizza.
Mark Van Ert, Treasurer
Mark Van Ert is a Managing Director with FTI Consulting’s Health Solutions practice, where he works with payers, providers and the organizations who support them optimize their business opportunities in the value-based care marketplace. Mark holds a bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. Mark and his wife Pam are new empty-nesters living in Hopkins while their two girls are working on the next chapter of their adventures at college. Mark has a younger brother, Jeff, who has Down Syndrome who spends his time working on his golf game so he can beat his older brother the next time they play together.
Kelly Fermoyle, Secretary
Kelly is an attorney at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, focused on intellectual property litigation. Kelly has a J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, an M.S. in Computer Science and Engineering from Penn State, and a B.A. from St. John’s University. Kelly joined the GiGi’s board in January 2020. Before that, Kelly was a camp counselor at Down Syndrome Camp in northern Minnesota, coached Special Olympics, and helped start a 5k to fundraise for Down Syndrome Camp.
Al Saffert
Al graduated from St. John's University with a degree in Business Management and has an MBA from St. Thomas University. He and his wife Anne live in Golden Valley with their three kids. Their family's connection to Gigi's started when the TC Playhouse opened, and they've benefited greatly from the programming and camaraderie of the community. Their daughter Brenna has particularly enjoyed programs with a focus on developing her independence. Al's excited to lend a voice to the organization's continued evolution.
Sarah Warbuck
Sarah is the Owner and CEO of Warbuck Consulting, providing marketing strategy and digital advertising consulting services to small businesses and nonprofit organizations. She is a Luther College graduate with bachelor's degrees in Business Management and Psychology and also completed Mini-MBA coursework at the University of St. Thomas in Nonprofit Management. She had the opportunity earlier in her career to work in the nonprofit world partnering with local county government agencies and families on pilot programs working collaboratively to create unique, supported living housing solutions to help adults with Down syndrome to live independently. This is how she first discovered GiGi's Playhouse in 2014 and has been volunteering ever since, currently helping out as the Math Tutoring Program Coordinator and now also as a Board Member!
Fran Fabrizio
Fran Fabrizio is the IT Director for the Institute of Social Research and Data Innovation at the University of Minnesota, and has spent much of his career in higher education IT. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in computer science from Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, respectively.
Fran and his wife Katie live in Edina with their 9-year-old son, whose extra chromosome brought them through GiGi's Playhouse Twin Cities' doors on the day it opened! After attending many programs over the years with their son, Fran joined the board in 2017 and has served as president since 2018.
Tom Ferguson
Tom Ferguson is the Vice President of U.S. Sales for Medtronic Spine & Biologics. Tom started his career in sales at Medtronic in 1998. Tom earned a BA from St. John’s University. He and his wife Julie reside in the Twin Cities with their three children – Emma (16), Lauren (14), and Tommy (12). When not at work, he enjoys traveling and volunteering with his family, spending time on the lake & outdoors, and watching his kids’ sports.
Sheila Longie
Sheila is retired from a career in document management, including serving as President of Document Destruction Services for 8 years. Sheila is active in the Lakeville community, where she is a member of the Rotary Club and has served on the Economic Development Commission and the Executive Board of the Lakeville Chamber of Commerce. Sheila’s number one hobby is curling. As a USCA Certified curling instructor, she has assisted clubs throughout Minnesota and has served as coach of the USA Deaf Women’s Curling Team. Sheila enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, especially at cabins up north with summer weekends filled with children, dogs, tons of laughter, and memorable nights around the campfire.
Paul Kapsner
Paul Kapsner is a retired Medical Device executive of over 30 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy - West Point and an MBA from Oklahoma City University. He and his wife Anne reside in the Excelsior area and have three grown daughters. His connection with GiGi's started with his daughter Libby coaching and volunteering with Special Olympics and Team G. This is Paul's second term on the GiGi's Twin Cities Board of Director's, and he loves the passion and programs seen at the Playhouse on a daily basis.
Stephanie Platteter
Stephanie Platteter is the Executive Director of Marketing and Enrollment Management for the College of Continuing and Professional Studies (CCAPS) at the University of Minnesota. As a strategic leader for CCAPS, Stephanie analyzes the higher education landscape for growth opportunities and guides program assessment and new program development. She and her team have also been leaders in developing and refining enrollment funnel strategies for continuing and professional education and the adult learner and in leveraging CRM strategies to support those strategies. She has consulted with many institutions on these strategies and has presented on marketing, enrollment management, and CRM topics at numerous continuing and higher education conferences. Stephanie holds a B.S. in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.
Stephanie and her husband Mike live in Edina and have one adult daughter who lives close by. She was introduced to the wonderful world of Gigi’s Playhouse through a close friend.
Antar Salim
Antar Salim has a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan. After completing his degree, he worked for Lincoln Electric as a technical sales representative. Specifically focusing on robotic wielding. During his career with Lincoln, he completed his MBA from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville (SIUE). With a penchant for teaching and helping others advance their careers, he joined Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) as an Adjunct professor and customized sales representative. After four years with DCTC, Antar served as an instructor for Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Metro State University, Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) and Rasmussen College. On his academic and professional journey, he received his DBA from Argosy University (2013) with a research interest in the intersectionality between Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Leadership success.
In 2023, the Salim family was blessed with a baby girl (Ara-Oluwa). As a father of three girls, one of which has Down syndrome, Antar was introduced to an amazing network of organizations and people. One group, GiGi’s Playhouse, is committed to ensuring that people with Down syndrome are ready for the world and more importantly, the world is ready for them. The Salim family has been enriched by its interactions with GiGi’s and desires to be an integral part of its vision of ensuring that people with Down syndrome are embraced and flourishing member of society.
Bobby McConnell
Bobby McConnell is an executive with over 20 years of experience in consumer packaged goods. He has spent the last 10 years as an industry leader in the health and wellness space. Bobby holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Colorado - Boulder. He and his wife, Kristi, reside in Edina and have three children. Bobby has been actively involved as a board member and coach in the Edina Youth Hockey association for the past 10 years. Bobby's passion for Gigi's Playhouse originated from his sister-in-law, Traci, who has Down Syndrome and is actively involved with the Gigi's chapter in Phoenix, AZ (Traci volunteers at the Gigi's Cafe weekly)!