OUR BOARD
We're here to help parents, educators, and clinicians with resources that foster reading, literacy, healthy living, and children's mental health initiatives.
Suzanne Kline
Founder
Children's author Suzanne Kline founded Giz Kids Foundation as a not-for-profit children's organization. In 2020, she answered the critical need for virtual learning during the nationwide school shutdowns by collaborating with puppeteers, educators, and filmmakers specializing in cinematic studio productions. Soon, many more children can watch and listen to an educational VLOG/ Podcast in select Children's Hospitals. Geared to the savvy Generation Alpha youth, the innovative live-puppet production brings an array of kid-friendly topics and experts sharing their wisdom about sports, sciences, technology, and the arts.
Since 2015, Gizmo & Friends children's books, plush toys, and short-story videos have received rave reviews from thousands of enthusiastic fans!
Vasi Siedman
Executive Director
Siedman is an award-winning photographer from West Palm Beach, Florida, heralded as a third-generation photographer. She's well-known for her creativity and innovative work with beautiful pet portraits. Vasi’s been featured in People magazine, Dogster, In Touch, New York Times, Time Square, Take a Break Pets UK Magazine, Puppy Post Uk, and books.
Siedman’s expertise in hosting an innovative and popular online platform, with her podcast making it top 10 in the USA in her category, is currently in the 0.5% global ranked podcast. She's a respected and invited speaker sharing globally by hosting unique pet venues and broadcasts. Vasi brought 600 interviews to date with pet fashion and photography experts and published the first pet hybrid magazine. Her greatest joy is presenting valuable topics and discussions, hosting virtual events, and giving back to support pet rescue organizations.
Dr. Celina Moore, M.D., F.A.A.P.
VICE PRESIDENT
Dr. Celina Moore completed her undergraduate studies at Loyola College of Maryland, where she majored in French literature, and completed her pediatrics residency at Miami Children's Hospital, Miami, Florida. She practices pediatrics with two other doctors in Boca Raton, Florida, forming Advanced Pediatrics of Boca in 2009.
In addition to her busy career as a Pediatrician, Dr. Moore recently served as the Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at West Boca Medical Center. In 2018 she won the prestigious Woman of the Year Award for the Soroptimist Club Boca Raton-Deerfield chapter. She's also an affiliate professor at Florida Atlantic University School of Medicine, Boca Raton, Florida, where she educates premedical and medical students.
Dr. Moore is Board certified in pediatrics and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Her passion, interest in genetic disorders and syndromes, and fluency in Spanish and French create inroads to success in her field. She's committed to a global health initiative in Ghana, Africa, where she and her husband, Steve, built a school in a rural underserved area. Her greatest joy is being the mother of three beautiful children, and she strives to make a difference for children everywhere.
Karen Kahn
Director | Treasurer
Karen Kahn, M.S., C.M.S.W. (EDUCATION AND EARLY LEARNING CONSULTANT) is a New York City native with a Master's in Early Childhood Education from Syracuse University and a Social Work degree from Adelphi University. She enjoyed a long career as a Social Worker and Administrator in the educational field, specializing in children with Autism and Learning Disabilities. Karen collaborated with psychologists, speech, occupational and physical therapists, and teachers to evaluate children with suspected disabilities and initiated treatment and lesson plans.
Karen worked tirelessly as an advocate for Special Needs Children to obtain complete services allowable by the New York City Board of Education, frequently visited classrooms, and particularly loved reading to children and helping to promote enjoyment and appreciation of the written word. As a Founding member of the Giz Kids Foundation Board, she supports the mission to reach children with reading and art-themed activities.
Dr. James Alex Clark, PhD
DIRECTOR, TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR
Dr. Clark graduated as a Professor in the Psychology Department at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, and Center of Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, in the Psychology Department, with specific research and a Doctorate in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Perception, and Cognitive Robotics Lab. He works as a Psychology Professor at Lynn University in Boca Raton and tirelessly volunteers to support young students in nearby elementary schools who have survived unimaginable hardship.
One of the joys of his life is adopting Boo, a rescue dog survivor of Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Today they are a therapy dog team visiting nursing homes and elementary schools.
Alex looks forward to serving the vision and mission of Giz Kids Foundation as a Board Member since 2019. His wisdom in sharing knowledge with children about brain sciences and building critical thinking skills in classrooms and homes is invaluable to helping expand our educational programs.
CARLA D’ORIO, M.S.
SECRETARY
Carla D'Orio is originally from Connecticut. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the New School of Social Research in NYC, a Master of Science in School Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University, and a School Administrator Degree from Sacred Heart University.
Carla, who served as a school psychologist for Bridgeport Public Schools and later became the Director of School Psychology in Bridgeport, representing 35 schools, is known for her passion for helping all children and understanding their needs. Now retired and living in Florida, she teaches Restorative Aerial Yoga. She is deeply committed to the Giz Kids Foundation's mission of making reading more accessible for all children and reducing stress around learning. Her dedication to this cause is something we can all support and engage in.
Casey McCullough, RDN, FL Registered Dietitian
Director, Child Life Coordinator—Elected Board Member, 2024.
Casey Kiernan McCullough, a dynamic South Floridian, has built her life around the ocean, excelling in surfing, skimboarding, and paddleboarding. A University of North Florida alumna with a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, she is a Registered Dietitian making impactful contributions to healthcare and sports nutrition.
Casey is a three-time women's world champion in professional skimboarding and actively competes in paddleboard racing. Her dedication extends to community service through her roles on the Board at Giz Kids Foundation and as Director of Operations at Piper's Angels Foundation, supporting those affected by cystic fibrosis. Her blend of nutrition expertise, athletic achievement, and heartfelt community involvement embodies her commitment to inspiring others.
Tina Peel
Educational Content Consultant
Peel is an experienced content creator, consultant, and executive producer of Emmy-award- winning Tv content and cross-platform children's media. Tina brings over 36 years of experience with a Master's in Education, Concentration in Human Development from Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. She earned a Double Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Early Education from Skidmore College, New York, offering experience from working on countless projects.
Sesame Street, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., PBS, Disney, Discovery Kids (Domestic and International), Macmillan Publishers, Scholastic, Pinna, WildBrain Entertainment, Sony Wonder, Moody Studios, The Michael Cohen Group, Storyology Studios, and production partners worldwide benefited from her vast knowledge in developing children's content.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Scott Silson
Producer | Writer | Puppet Master
Silson held the esteemed position of Disneyland's first Puppet Master, overseeing the show direction, choreography, and training of performers in versatile puppetry productions worldwide. He also programmed animatronics for Walt Disney Imagineering and Disneyland, mentored puppetry trainers, and showed quality maintenance specialists domestically and internationally in Paris, China, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
Scott has extensive performing and production experience from Broadway to Theme Parks to Television. He has collaborated and performed with respected companies such as Disney Theatrical, Universal Studios Japan, The Jim Henson Co., Cedar Fair Entertainment, and Michael Curry Design. Performance credits include (but are not limited to) an undisclosed Broadway workshop with Disney Theatrical, "Sesame Street 1-2-3-4D", ABC's "The Little Mermaid: Live,” TNT’s CLAWS, and Comedy Central's "Crank Yankers.” Scott is excited to lend his puppetry and voice acting talents to perform Gizmo, the surfing dog.
Marion Wildey
Producer | Writer
Wildey works in the Television and Film production industry, part of a talented group of industry professionals that combines intimately to produce the best product possible. From the '90s with Nickelodeon Studios to current productions with TLC and A&E, Marion has proudly "come to set" as a well-rounded writer, editor, script supervisor, and producer with an attention to detail.
Happy to lend her talents to innovative educational projects, like Gizmo’s Woof Chat, Marion is always willing to use her vast knowledge to bring a production to life. She recently served as Producer for the AKC Meet the Breeds held at Jacob K Javits Convention Center in New York City. The venue featured four of the favorite Gizmo’s Woof Chat puppeteers performing for over 160,000 fans.
Mark Russell
Producer | Post-Editor Director
Russell heralds 26 years of experience in videography production, editing, and graphic design. He's the founder of Iron Pixel Media and President of Iron Pixel Studio in Orlando, FL. The studio is an incredibly talented group of professionals who go above and beyond to surpass clients' expectations offering the latest LED technology.
Mark brings a keen eye for detail with his unique background and vast experience in filming puppet productions. Russel heralds work with Discovery Channel, the Walt Disney Company, The History Channel, A&E, and documentaries for NASA, Netflix, ABC Network, and the Discovery Channel.