Our Team
National Office Staff
JACQUELINE BONNETTE, MS, CCC-SLP
Communication for Life Head Instructor
JACQUELINE BONNETTE, MS, CCC-SLP
Communication for Life Head Instructor
What did you do before BUFL?
I have worked in the school system, home health, outpatient, summer camp, and telehealth settings.
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
Seeing Students improve in their communication skills! Especially when they take ownership of their people files questions.
Hobbies and interests:
Baking, watching bad romcoms, and being outside.
DOUG DIROSARIO
Founding Buddy Up Tennis Coach
DOUG DIROSARIO
Founding Buddy Up Tennis Coach
What did you do before BUFL?
Tennis Instructor
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
Traveling to new sites and spreading BU across the nation. Seeing smiles on the kids faces every Saturday at clinic.
Hobbies and interests:
Reading, walks, continuing to learn new things
OLIVIA FINN
Health & Wellness Manager
OLIVIA FINN
Health & Wellness Manager
What did you do before BUFL?
Currently studying undergrad in Entrepreneurship at the University of Cincinnati.
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
Seeing our Athletes and Students grow through Buddy Up classes.
Hobbies and interests:
Running, hanging with friends & family, and shopping!
BETH GIBSON
Founder and Executive Director
BETH GIBSON
Founder and Executive Director
What did you do before BUFL?
I spent 15+ years in the retail industry specifically in Planning and Allocation.
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
Loves to see all of the growth and development of our Athletes and Students over the years. Our families are extremely appreciative for the programming that BUFL provides.
Hobbies and interests:
Loves spending time with family and friends, whether hosting at her place or visiting others - it makes her feel complete.
EMILY HESS
Social Media Specialist/intern
EMILY HESS
Social Media Specialist/intern
What did you do before BUFL?
Currently studying to earn my degree in Marketing and Fashion Design.
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
Seeing our Students and Athletes learn, grow, and try new things!
Hobbies and interests:
Spending time with my family and trying new coffee shops!
AMANDA HUGHES
Tennis Coach & Summer Camp Director
AMANDA HUGHES
Tennis Coach & Summer Camp Director
What did you do before BUFL?
Full time K-5 intervention specialist
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
Seeing the growth in our Athletes tennis and social skills.
Hobbies and interests:
Creating opportunities for quality time with family (4 kids and husband), spending time with extended family and friends, being time outside and working out.
CANDACE KANE
Community Relations Director
CANDACE KANE
Community Relations Director
What did you do before BUFL?
Event Planner
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
The joy our Athletes and Students bring to everything they do!
Hobbies and interests:
I love to bake and play pickleball
ANN LEITHAUSER
Volunteer Manager
ANN LEITHAUSER
Volunteer Manager
What did you do before BUFL?
Business Consulting / Program Management
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
The enthusiasm of our athletes and students, and the dedication of those who work with them
Hobbies and interests:
Travel, tennis, biking and NYT puzzles
GRACE TERRY, MA, CCC-SLP
Communication for Life Instructor
GRACE TERRY, MA, CCC-SLP
Communication for Life Instructor
what is your other job?
Full time PhD Student at OSU and Speech Pathologist at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
Spending time with students and learning from them!
Hobbies and interests:
Spending time with family and crafting
KRIS TURNER
Education Director
KRIS TURNER
Education Director
What did you do before BUFL?
Was a special education & STEAM teacher in the public school system for 15 years! Most recently (starting 2015), teaching in Reynoldsburg City Schools.
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
Loves the way BUFL has grown organically in response to the needs of our participants and their families.
Hobbies and interests:
Fishing, kayaking, and hiking with my wife Chelsea and our intrepid dog Arlo.
TYLER WHARTON
Fitness and Pickleball Director
TYLER WHARTON
Fitness and Pickleball Director
What is your other job?
My full time job is with an industrial hydraulic company. I am an inside sales representative.
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
The energy, joy, and happiness of our athletes, buddies, and coaches!
Hobbies and interests:
Tennis, travel, and videogames!
JENNIFER WILCOXON
Health and Wellness Director
JENNIFER WILCOXON
Health and Wellness Director
What did you do before BUFL?
Was a Research Associate (2002 - 2008) and food pantry director (2018-2015)
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
Loves the excitement and enthusiasm of our athletes!
Hobbies and interests:
Spending time with family, cooking, baking, reading, traveling
MILA ZUNICH, MA, CCC-SLP
Communication for Life Instructor
MILA ZUNICH, MA, CCC-SLP
Communication for Life Instructor
What did you do before BUFL?
Speech Language Pathologist
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
Loves working with all the students, and other instructors. The people are the best part!
Hobbies and interests:
Reading, running, and watching Bravo TV
Executive Advisory Board
Scott Barbour
President and CEO
Advanced Drainage Systems
Charly Bauer
Executive Director
Measurement Resources Company
Mark Fazzina
Principal
Executive Search Partners
Todd Fisher
Managing Partner
Fisher Management Partners
Beth Gibson
President & Founder
Buddy Up for Life, Inc.
Keegan Gibson
Consultant
EY – Parthenon
Rick Gibson
Partner
Lape Mansfield Nakasian + Gibson, LLC
Rob Griffiths
Associate Vice President for Distance Education
The Ohio State University
Cheryl Halpern
President, Halpern Research
Dallas Chapter Coordinator, Buddy Up for Life, Inc.
Melissa Hempel
Director
Advanced Drainage Systems
Andy Livingston
Retired Executive Vice President
Huntington National Bank
Reuben Lo
Vice President, Strategic Sales
Safelite AutoGlass
Andrew Madison
President/Broker
RS Garek Associates LTD
Dave Magnacca
Vice President Pricing Strategy
MedVet
Dr. Murugu Manickam
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Division of Human Molecular Genetics
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Maddie Pine
Manager, Product Marketing
Conde’ Nast
Jennifer Truby
Down syndrome Advocate, Special Olympics Coordinator, and Educator