Ladies Leadership Luncheon with Let It Be Us
October 23 @ 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Championing Every Child: Creating Futures for Children with Special Needs in Foster Care
Speaker Bios:
Nancy Gianni
Nancy Gianni is the Founder and Chief Belief Officer of GiGi’s Playhouse, created in honor of her daughter GiGi, who was born with Down syndrome. Refusing to accept limitations, Nancy grew one small center into more than 40 locations across the U.S. and Mexico, offering free educational, therapeutic, and career programs for children and young adults with special needs. Named a CNN Hero in 2016, she is dedicated to changing perceptions, celebrating abilities, and inspiring communities to embrace the unique potential of every child.
Dr. Margaret Scotellaro
Dr. Margaret Scotellaro is the Medical Director for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Rush University Children’s Hospital. Board certified in General Pediatrics and Child Abuse Pediatrics, she specializes in foster care, child advocacy, and children with special healthcare needs. She is the Immediate Past President of the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and serves on multiple statewide child welfare committees. Dr. Scotellaro is also a foster and adoptive parent to a child with medical needs and lives in the western suburbs with her husband and five children.
Kaycee Coles
Kaycee Coles is the organizer of the Ladies Leadership Luncheon, is the Vice Chair of Let It Be Us and is on the Fundraising Committee. Kaycee is a former educator teaching US History and Psychology and she is a licensed reading specialist. She is a mother to three sons. She has worked in the non-profit sector in education, advocacy, and legislative areas. Kaycee was instrumental in co-leading an effort to design, build and fundraise for an inclusive playground project at Countryside Elementary School. She is also a member of the Barrington Civic Leaders Program.
Dr. Susan A. McConnell
Dr. Susan A. McConnell is the Founder and Executive Director of Let It Be Us. She has held the position of Chair of the Permanency Committee for the Illinois Statewide Foster Care Advisory Council for 4 years. She recently graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) with a Doctoral Degree in Social Work. Susan is the mother to four free range young adults, three of whom joined her family through adoption. She has over 30 years of experience with special needs and open adoption.