Our Team
Erica Erdman, Wausau Founder/ Playhouse Manager
Erica is the driving force behind the GiGi’s Playhouse in North Central WI. Erica is a native of the area and has worked in the non-profit community serving the developmentally disabled, mentally ill, and unemployed populations for over 10 years. She received a BA in Psychology from UWSP with a focus in Human Services along with a BA in Art with an emphasis in glass…bringing creativeness to the Playhouse, events, and programming! Her passion can be seen throughout the Playhouse and she has even been the recipient of the local Jefferson Award!
Erica developed a strong sense of devotion to the advocacy needs of those in the Down syndrome community when her son, Braxton was born almost 7 years ago. Because Braxton wears his diagnosis on his face, she wanted more than just community awareness, she wanted genuine acceptance of him and felt the platform GiGi’s provided would support this shift in community perceptions of those with Down syndrome. Erica is grateful and humbled by the support provided to GiGi’s Playhouse Wausau and encourages everyone to stop in to be amazed and inspired!
Nicole Stangl, Board President
Nicole was born and raised in Wisconsin and moved to Wausau in 2020. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Politics & Government and Business Management from Ripon College and a Juris Doctorate from the University of St. Thomas School of Law. She currently works as an Associate Attorney practicing Employment Law at Ruder Ware Law Firm. Nicole is excited to be a member of GiGi’s Wausau and watch how this organization can serve the community of Wausau and encourage inclusivity and acceptance for all.
In her free time, Nicole loves to spend time outdoors with her husband and her dog and she enjoys going for runs to explore new places.
Jaci McKamey, Board Vice-President
Jaci McKamey was born in Mosinee, WI and has been a Speech Language Pathologist for theWausau School District since 2015. She received her bachelor’s degree (2010) and master’sdegree (2012) in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Wisconsin- EauClaire. After graduation, she worked at the Mount Horeb Intermediate Center (grades 3-5) forthree years.Jaci enjoys spending time with her husband, Mark, and sons, Milo and Elliott. Some of herfavorite things are vanilla lattes, camping, traveling, reading for fun, and trying new restaurants.She is excited to be joining the GiGi’s Playhouse of Wausau team and looks forward to helpingcreate amazing opportunities for children with Down syndrome in the Greater Wausaucommunity.
Kelly Ackley, Board Treasurer
Kelly was born and raised in Stevens Point. She received her Associates Degree in Business Administration - Human Resources from Mid-State Technical College in 2002 and later, a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Upper Iowa University. She has worked in the accounting field for nearly 20 years, most recently with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. In her free time, Kelly and her son have volunteered with Wisconsin Nicaragua Partners, specifically with the backpack project which gathers used school supplies and backpacks for children in Nicaragua. Kelly enjoys photography and painting and recently started leading some of the Art Explosion classes at GiGi's Playhouse Wausau.
Rebecca Bearjar, Board Member
Having grown-up in Wausau, Rebecca studied in St. Petersburg, Russia and Portland, Oregon before settling in Madison, Wisconsin where she worked in web development and email marketing. She returned to the Wausau area in 2010 to join her family’s business. As manager of Katzenbarkers Natural Pet Food store, Rebecca is an active member of Wausau River District. In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys hiking, biking, reading and knitting.
Rebecca and her husband, Niles, are the proud parents of Katelyn and Nathan, who was diagnosed at birth with Down syndrome. Rebecca is grateful for the support and friendship provided by other local parents of children with Down syndrome and she enjoys giving back to the community as a board member at GiGi’s Playhouse Wausau.
Leslie Keeffe, Board Member
Wausau has been Leslie’s home for most of her life. She attended the University of Wisconsin Madison earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and then a few years later earned a degree in Physical Therapy, also from UW Madison. Leslie’s professional experiences include teaching at a Montessori school for several years before starting a 20-year career as a physical therapist, serving for a majority of that time as the Birth to Three therapist for Marathon, Lincoln and Langlade Counties. In her career she has gained experience in aquatic therapy, ergonomics, and school- based therapy.
In her free time, Leslie enjoys spending time with her family and rescue animals, hiking, zip lining and enjoying a good movie. She is very excited to be a part of GiGi's and looking forward to giving back to the Wausau area community through GiGi’s Playhouse.
Megan Huerth, Outreach/New Parent Coordinator
Megan has been a local resident of the area most of her life, growing up in Rothschild and now living in Weston. She attended University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, where she earned her bachelor’s degrees in both Psychology and Human Development. After graduation, Megan was given an opportunity to analyze business data, instead of people as she originally intended, and she’s never turned back. Her family, consisting of her husband (Clayton), daughter (Adalyn), and son (Corbyn), enjoys exploring the outdoors, cheering on their favorite Wisconsin-based sports teams, and spending time with their families.
Megan learned firsthand about GiGi’s Playhouse after her son was diagnosed with Down syndrome shortly after his birth. She looks forward to spreading awareness with all that GiGi’s Playhouse has to offer our community, as well as connecting with parents who are experiencing a similar emotional rollercoaster that follows a Down syndrome diagnosis.
Louise Wolf, Board Member
Louise was born and raised in Wausau. After receiving her BS Degree in Elementary and Special Education from UW-Eau Claire and MS Degree in Behavior from UW-Stevens Point, Louise taught Special Education throughout Marathon County Special Education and Wausau Public Schools for 40 years.
Louise has previous board experience with United Cerebral Palsy, Aspirus Festival of Trees, Wausau Soccer and The Charity Party of Wausau. She has also volunteered with the Neighbors Place, Wisconsin Special Olympics, Newman Catholic Schools and her parish. Louise has been happily married for 34 years to Kevin, who is an Attorney at Ruder Ware in Wausau. They have two sons, Josh (Gina) and Jacob (Hannah) as well as four adorable grandchildren, Josie, Elsie, Louis and Hugh.
Louise retired from teaching children with special needs in June of 2020 and in her spare time enjoys any activity with family or going up North to their cottage. Other interests include, anything family (especially the grandkids,) friends, reading, walking, biking, pontooning, crewel embroidery, cross stitching, puzzles, snowshoeing, traveling, and keeping in touch with previous students and their families.
Melissa Baldwin- Self Advocacy Ambassador
Missy was born and raised in Minocqua WI. She graduated from Lakeland Union High school in 2012. Then studied Business Education at Edgewood College. She received a 2-year certification with the cutting edge program in Madison WI. She moved to Wausau WI in 2018. She volunteers at Marathon County literacy program and North Central Health care. In her free time, Missy enjoys spending time with her family and friends, camping, participating in Special Olympics, traveling and loves country music.
Amanda Vollendorf, Outreach Coordinator
Amanda was born and raised in Waukesha County and relocated to the Wausau area in 2016 with her husband. She graduated from UW Whitewater with a bachelor’s degree in Early Elementary Education.
Amanda has prior experience as an educator in two elementary schools (Neenah and Oconomowoc), but in most recent years has enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom to her two boys Easton (7) and Sawyer (4).
Amanda owns a small LLC specializing in wedding and holiday décor. Her experience with helping plan weddings, sparked her interest in helping plan events within the playhouse. You will often find Amanda decorating for events and helping coordinate the details.