Ladies Leadership Luncheon with Let It Be Us

Championing Every Child: Creating Futures for Children with Special Needs in Foster Care

Join Let It Be Us, Illinois non-profit and licensed child welfare agency, for the third installment of the Ladies Leadership Luncheon series at the Barrington Hills Country Club.

Hosted by the Let It Be Us Board of Directors and Vice Chair Kaycee Coles, this daytime event will focus on “Championing Every Child: Creating Futures for Children with Special Needs in Foster Care” and feature local experts:

• Nancy Gianni, Founder and Chief Belief Officer of Gigi’s Playhouse
• Dr. Margaret Scotellaro, Medical Director for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
• Dr. Susan A. McConnell, Founder & Executive Director of Let It Be Us

The event features an open bar, a gourmet lunch, and an opportunity to learn about how adoption from foster care changes the lives of children with special needs in foster care. 

Sponsorship opportunities for the event exist – to learn more, contact Kaycee Coles, Let It Be Us Board Member, at [email protected]

Speaker Bios:

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.

GiGi Gianni has been inspiring others since she was born in 2002. Born with Down syndrome, she is the namesake and Chief Inspiration Officer of GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers, which has grown to more than 61 locations and supports families in 93 countries. The youngest of four children, GiGi enjoys fashion, fitness, dancing, and having fun. She is also an author, motivational speaker, influencer, advocate, and gifted singer who has performed the National Anthem at events ranging from Chicago Cubs games to a country concert with Scotty McCreery.

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 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 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. 

Host or Publisher Heron Agency