Board of Directors
Penny - President
Penny grew up and currently resides in Cannon Falls, MN with her 2 amazing boys. She brings 28 years of experience working with developmentally disabled, autistic and traumatic brain injury adults and children. She has worked with them in facilities and in the school environment. In November 2003, her youngest son suffered a traumatic brain injury from being shaken. In 2011, she co-founded Gage Gives Back with her sister, Peggy. Her passion since then has been to educate others on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and shaken baby syndrome (SBS). Her son, Gage, who is the shaken baby survivor assists her in educating others. |
Peggy - Vice President
Peggy was born in Williston, ND; grew up in Cannon Falls, MN; and currently resides in Farmington, MN with her husband, Kevin. She is a commercial real estate attorney and has been employed with Faegre Baker Daniels for almost 20 years. Peggy is Gage's aunt and has been there throughout the journey. She has witnessed firsthand the impact of SBS and TBI. We, as a family, decided that is was imperative that we take back that day of tragedy and turn it into something positive. Thus, Gage Gives Back was born. She became involved to raise awareness for SBS and TBI and to raise funds to help organizations that have helped Gage in his journey. |
Kelly - Secretary
Kelly grew up in Burnsville, MN and currently resides in Prior Lake, MN with her significant other of over 20 years, Rodney. She has worked in the computer technology field for over 30 years and is currently employed as an Order Management Advisor for Dell. Having been friends with Gage’s Mother, Penny, since before Gage was born she has seen first hand how SBS affects not only the victim but also the family and circle of friends on a daily basis. Kelly also lost her Father to a TBI as a result of a car accident in 2007. TBI information was not readily available in Florida where the accident took place. It was only upon returning home to Minnesota that the family began to hear of a TBI support network that would have been a wonderful resource. Families should not have to go through SBS and TBI alone. Kelly would like to continue to educate to help prevent SBS and provide information on TBI. |
Becky - Financial
Becky currently lives in St Paul, MN. She has two grown daughters. She brings over 20 years experience in the financial industry. In addition, she has volunteered with non-profits in many capacities over the last 25 years. After following Gage on his journey, she gained knowledge and a strong desire to educate others for the prevention on SBS. |
Janine - Fundraising
Janine grew up in Farmington, MN and has resided there for many years. She has 2 amazing children. Her youngest Zach who is now 11 years old has Asperger's and ADHD. She has been dealing with these disabilities since he was diagnosed at 4 years old. She met Penny in 2012 and learned of Gage and the story of his TBI. Janine and Penny have become good friends. Her son, Zach, and Penny's son, Gage, have become best friends. Janine has supported Penny and her family in the fight against SBS by helping in educating others. |
Deb - Photography
Deb has worked with special needs people for 40 years. Both in facilities and private home care. This has always been her passion in life to help everyone to the best of their abilities. She loves to see the success no matter how big or small. And her motto, " Never give up no matter what." In her spare time she volunteers, does all types of crafts and really enjoys photography. |
Vicki - Education
Vicki is a California transplant who has spent most of her life dedicated to children. She and husband, Richard, had 10 children whom she has raised on her own after being widowed nearly 17 years ago. Vicki holds a degree in Child Development and has applied that education in her work in Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and preschool classrooms, as well as with special education students, over the past 16 years. Gage and Penny came into her life shortly following the shaken baby incident through an ECFE class. She has worked closely with him throughout his preschool years and later as his educational assistant. As an advocate for children and families, Vicki looks forward to applying her lifetime experience and educational focus to the successful endeavors of Gage Gives Back. |
Cheryl - Daycare Experience
Cheryl lives in Farmington, MN. She is married and has 3 children. She has been an early learning educator in the childcare field for 22 years. Prior to that, she worked in long term care for 7 years. Cheryl feels that the more we educate parents and care givers, giving them the tools to know how to cope, the more we can help to combat this preventable form of abuse. “Watching my godchild, Gage, grow up and go through his daily struggles is the reason that I feel so strongly about educating others. No child should have to endure all that he has.” |
Gage - Gage is an 16 year old boy who was shaken as an infant. He suffered a traumatic brain injury. He is the reason Gage Gives Back was founded because he wanted to give back to the organizations that have helped him get where is is today. He goes with his mom, Penny, to many events to educate people on SBS. His hopes is that no one will have to go through what he has had to go through.
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