Welcoming Two New Members to the GiGi’s Playhouse Westchester Board of Directors
We are excited to welcome two outstanding individuals to our Board of Directors: Debra Bornstein and Bunmi Makinwa.
Both Deb and Bunmi bring decades of professional experience, community leadership, and a deep commitment to service. While their backgrounds are quite different, they share a common passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of others, a value that aligns perfectly with GiGi’s Playhouse’s mission.
Meet Debra Bornstein
Debra (Deb) Bornstein joins our Board with an impressive career spanning more than three decades in the healthcare industry. Throughout her professional journey, she has held leadership roles that required strategic thinking, financial expertise, and a commitment to improving systems that serve people and communities.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Deb has dedicated countless hours to volunteerism and community service. Her involvement with local organizations demonstrates her passion for giving back and supporting causes that strengthen the community she calls home.
As GiGi’s Playhouse Westchester continues to grow, Deb’s experience in leadership, governance, and nonprofit service will be invaluable. We are thrilled to have her insight and guidance helping shape the future of our Playhouse.
Meet Bunmi Makinwa
Bunmi Makinwa brings a remarkable global perspective to our Board. Throughout his distinguished career, he served in senior leadership positions within the United Nations system, working across multiple countries and addressing some of the world’s most pressing social and public health challenges.
What makes Bunmi’s story particularly meaningful to us is how he discovered GiGi’s Playhouse. While looking for ways to serve his local community, he visited our Playhouse, met participants and families, and experienced firsthand the impact of our programs. Those interactions inspired him to become more deeply involved in our mission.
Bunmi is passionate about increasing understanding of, acceptance of, and opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome. His expertise in communication, advocacy, leadership, and relationship-building will help us strengthen community awareness and create new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Strengthening Our Future Together
As we approach our eleventh year of serving families in Westchester and surrounding communities, the addition of Deb and Bunmi comes at an exciting time. Since opening our doors in 2015, our Playhouse has grown from serving approximately 80 families to nearly 400 registered families today. This growth reflects both the need for our programs and the incredible support of our community.
Our Board of Directors plays a critical role in helping us remain sustainable, strategic, and mission-focused. Board members provide guidance, expertise, advocacy, and leadership that enable us to continue offering free educational, therapeutic, career development, and social programs for individuals with Down syndrome of all ages.
Deb and Bunmi each bring unique experiences and perspectives that will strengthen our Board and help position GiGi’s Playhouse Westchester for continued success. We are grateful for their willingness to share their time, talents, and leadership with our community.
Learn More About Our Team
This brief introduction only scratches the surface of the incredible experiences and accomplishments that Deb and Bunmi bring to the Playhouse. We invite you to visit our Team page to learn more about them, our current Board of Directors, and the dedicated leaders who help guide our mission every day.
Interested in Getting Involved?
The success of GiGi’s Playhouse Westchester depends on passionate individuals who are willing to share their expertise, ideas, and enthusiasm. As our organization continues to grow, we are looking for community members who want to make a lasting impact.
If serving on our Board of Directors interests you, we would love to start a conversation. Please get in touch with Tracy Smith at [email protected]. We are also actively seeking volunteers to join our committees, which play an essential role in supporting our programs, events, fundraising efforts, and family engagement initiatives.
Current opportunities include:
- Family Engagement Committee
- Gala 2027 Committee
- Event Committee
- Fundraising Committee
Whether you have professional expertise to share, a passion for our mission, or want to become more involved in the community, there is a place for you at GiGi’s Playhouse Westchester.
Together, we can continue to change the way the world views Down syndrome and create a more accepting, inclusive future for all.
Please join us in welcoming Debra Bornstein and Bunmi Makinwa as they begin their journey with the GiGi’s Playhouse Westchester Board of Directors.
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