Gini joined The Heuga Center as a staff physical therapist (PT) in December 1987. Her first term on the Board of Directors began in 2001. After three years as Vice Chair, Gini accepted the Chair position in April 2006. Gini is a member of the Executive and Development Committees, and works as a PT during Heuga Center CAN DO programs.
In addition to participating as a fund raiser at various Vertical Express for MS events, Gini helps her younger son, Cameron, organize Climbing Mountains for MS each September, an annual event that raises money to sponsor a Colorado Academy family member to attend a Heuga Center CAN DO program on full scholarship.
Gini is a graduate of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, receiving her BS with honors in Physical Therapy in 1981. She lived in Christchurch, New Zealand for a year where she volunteered as a physical therapist for the Crippled Children's Society.
Gini is founder and former president of Physical Therapy Specialists PC in Denver. This Medicare-certified practice offered both outpatient and home health services. In addition, Gini worked for Total Long-Term Care, a community based, comprehensive outpatient healthcare program for the frail elderly.
Over the years, Gini has been involved with numerous national and Colorado professional organizations. She has given many PT-related presentations and published articles related to exercise and aging and home health management.
As an active community volunteer, Gini is currently Captain of the Colorado Academy Annual Campaign, working with Bob Schmitz, CA’s development director. Bob has become a valuable volunteer on The Heuga Center’s Development Committee. Gini also is a member of Friendship Bridge, a non-profit organization that provides micro-credit loan opportunities for impoverished women in Guatemala. Gini is fluent in Danish and was an AFS exchange student to Denmark in 1975-76. She and her husband, Jim, also an AFS returnee from Norway, have been involved with AFS for over 30 years. They have hosted several international students, and their oldest son was an AFS student to Argentina.
An avid skier, Gini has worked with the Copper Mountain Ski School for 14 years. She was also an instructor for the Winter Park handicap ski program and directed a ski club for children from Boulder for five years. When not volunteering, Gini spends her free time keeping up with her two sons on various family activities.
