Our Team
Meet the Team
National Staff
Beth Gibson
Founder & Executive Director
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
I love 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:
I love spending time with family and friends, whether hosting at her place or visiting others - it makes me feel complete.
Jennifer Wilcoxon
Athletic Program Director
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
I love the excitement and enthusiasm of our Athletes!
Hobbies and interests:
Spending time with family, cooking, baking, reading, and traveling.
Beth Justice
Education Program Director
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
Developing programs that meet the needs of our Students and watching them grow!
Hobbies and interests:
Reading and writing, traveling abroad, motorcycle riding, flower gardening, and spending time with my husband and dogs.
Candace Kane
Community Relations Director
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
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
I love 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.
Maddie Pine
Marketing Manager
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
Meeting new Athletes and Students and their families!
Hobbies and interests:
Travel, photography
EMILY HESS
Social Media Specialist
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
I love seeing our Students and Athletes learn, grow, and try new things!
Hobbies and interests:
Spending time with my family and trying new coffee shops!
Alex Duda
Summer Intern
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
I love seeing our Students and Athletes learn, grow, and try new things!
Hobbies and interests:
Spending time with my family and trying new coffee shops!
DOUG DIROSARIO
Founding Coach, Buddy Up Tennis
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
I love traveling to new sites and spreading Buddy Up for Life across the nation. I love seeing smiles on the kids faces every Saturday at clinic.
Hobbies and interests:
Reading, walks, continuing to learn new things.
TYLER WHARTON
Head Coach, Buddy Up Tennis & Buddy Up Fitness
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
The energy, joy, and happiness of our athletes, buddies, and coaches!
Hobbies and interests:
Tennis, travel, and video games!
JACQUELINE BONNETTE, MS, CCC-SLP
Head Instructor, Communication for Life
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
I love 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.
GRACE TERRY, MA, CCC-SLP
Instructor, Communication for Life
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
I love spending time with students and learning from them!
Hobbies and interests:
Spending time with family and crafting.
MILA ZUNICH, MA, CCC-SLP
Instructor, Communication for Life
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
I love working with all the students, and other instructors. The people are the best part!
Hobbies and interests:
Reading, running, and watching Bravo TV.
Brian Weikert, MSN, APRN, NP-BC, LSN
Instructor, Safety for Life
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
Seeing the Students become aware of what they can do for themselves and then be able to put into action the safety guidelines we've given them to be successful.
Hobbies and interests:
Coaching soccer, gardening, raising chickens, collecting sports cards, LEGO and Star Wars toys.
Eileen Pewitt
Chef & Instructor, Cooking for Life
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
Being a part of the confidence building and success of our participants.
I am blessed to be able to share what I love with so many of the Students and Buddies.
Hobbies and interests:
I am creating "The Barn" - which will provide culinary adventures in a rustic setting in Centerburg, OH.
Kali Starkey
Instructor, Cooking for Life & Literacy for Life
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
I love the independence that we are teaching and that everyone involved in BUFL sees the potential in each and every participant who walks through the door.
Hobbies and interests:
Volunteering, being outside, reading, shopping, and being with friends and family.
Kirsten Jaster
Instructor, Technology for Life
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
By teaching accessibility features and everyday tech skills, I enjoy helping people build confidence, gain independence, and navigate our digital world with greater ease.
Hobbies and interests:
I enjoy watercolor painting, gardening, traveling, and, most of all, helping people.
Ella Terry
Instructor, Safety for Life & Buddy Up Core Yoga
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
I love working with all the students, and other instructors. The people are the best part!
Hobbies and interests:
Reading, running, and watching Bravo TV.
Emma Peterson
Instructor, Cooking for Life
Favorite part of working for BUFL:
I love the new friendships I have been able to make and getting to see everyone's amazing smiles!
Hobbies and interests:
I love all things occupational therapy, volunteering, and healthy living.
Executive Advisory Board
Scott Barbour
President and CEO
Advanced Drainage Systems
Charly Bauer
President and CEO
Gateway Film Foundation
Mark Fazzina
Principal
Executive Search Partners
Todd Fisher
Managing Partner
Fisher & Company
Beth Gibson
Founder & Executive Director
Buddy Up for Life, Inc.
Keegan Gibson
Consultant
EY-Parthenon
Rick Gibson
Partner
Lape Mansfield Nakasian + Gibson, LLC
Rob Griffiths
Assistant Vice Provost for Workforce Development and Innovation
The Ohio State University
Cheryl Halpern
President, Halpern Research
Dallas Chapter Coordinator, Buddy Up for Life, Inc.
Melissa Hempel
Vice President
Advanced Drainage Systems
Andy Livingston
Former Executive Vice President
Huntington National Bank
Reuben Lo
Vice President, Sales and Business Development
Safelite
Andrew Madison
President / Broker
RS Garek Associates LTD
Dave Magnacca
Former 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, Marketing
Buddy Up for Life, Inc.
Jennifer Truby
Self-Employed Educator
Jennie Wilson
Former President and Chief Operating Officer
MGF Sourcing