Wolfpit PTA - Meet our Team

We are so proud of our extremely active and wonderful PTA community! Below, we highlight some of the dedicated members who serve on the Executive Board and also lead various committees.

Interested in joining the team? We’d love to have you! Reach out to us at wolfpitpta@gmail.com—we’ll be happy to help you find the perfect role in our PTA community. 💙

Thank you to each and every one of you for your commitment to our school, teachers, and—most importantly—our children. We’re excited for a fantastic year ahead with all of our members!

Melissa Izzi

Executive Board - President

Melissa, our PTA President, brings a fresh perspective and valuable expertise to the Wolfpit community. She’s the proud mom of her 7-year-old son, Caydyn, and embraces all the fun and adventure that comes with being a boy mom.

Professionally, Melissa has spent 12 years at Gartner, where she currently serves as a Senior Sales Coordinator. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending quality time with her family.

Melissa is excited to partner with families and staff to build on the positive energy created by past PTA leaders. With her strong organizational skills and creative vision, she brings a new light to how we can introduce fresh ideas while still honoring our beloved traditions.

This year, Melissa will focus on continuing our amazing fundraising momentum, expanding staff appreciation efforts, enhancing student enrichment opportunities, and creating more community-building events. She’s looking forward to an exciting and impactful year ahead!

Melissa Evans

Executive Board - Co- President

Melissa is a proud mom to three Wolfpit students: RJ (4th grade), Alex (3rd grade), and Zach (1st grade). Her boys love being part of the Wolfpit community!

Melissa and her husband, Rob, moved to Norwalk from Stamford over 10 years ago. Rob has since built a successful business as an electrician, while Melissa has been working as a physical therapist for the past 14 years, 9 of those right here in Norwalk.

Outside of work, Melissa enjoys cheering on her boys at their sports games, especially baseball. She’s also an avid runner, a passion that started in college and hasn’t slowed down. She has completed three half marathons and is already planning for more!

Gady Gallagher

Executive Board - Vice President

Gady lives in Norwalk with her husband, Brian, and their two children, Brynn, a 6th grader and proud Wolfpit alum, and Bash, a Pre-K 4 student at Wolfpit.

A Travel Advisor with Travelista Travels, Gady has a background in marketing and events and loves bringing people together and building community. She previously served as PTA Co-President and Room Parent Coordinator for three years and now supports the PTA’s communications and social media, school assemblies and events.

With several years of involvement at Wolfpit, Gady is passionate about creating a welcoming, connected school community and making the school experience fun and meaningful for students and families. With Bash continuing at Wolfpit, she’s excited to stay involved and contribute to the school community.

Tanya Jacobi

Executive Board - Secretary

Tanya is the proud mom of Kinsley (2nd Grade), Chase (Pre-K 4), Blake (19 months), and Ryleigh (her late daughter in heaven). Her and her husband Ken love being part of the Wolfpit community and have been Norwalk residents for 10 years.

Professionally, Tanya brings more than 10 years of experience in fundraising, managing teams, and building strong client relationships across the nonprofit and retail sectors. She later turned her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit into her own business, The Petal Preservation - preserving meaningful florals into keepsakes. Tanya and Ken are also the founders of Ryleigh's Resources, a nonprofit created in honor of their daughter Ryleigh, which supports families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss.

As secretary, Tanya is excited to continue supporting the PTA, collaborating with fellow board members, co-chairing Rainbow Run and helping make the school year memorable for Wolfpit students and families.

Outside of PTA and work, Tanya enjoys reading, working out, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Elyse Williams

Executive Board - Co-Treasurer

Elyse is a former accountant with 13 years of experience in private equity fund accounting and auditing. Now happily at home with her two kids — Tyler (5, K) and Raelynn (8, 3rd grade) — she enjoys being an active part of the amazing Wolfpit community and PTA.

She leads the popular Rainbow Run event and loves bringing fun, enriching experiences to the students. Elyse still enjoys any excuse to use a spreadsheet and contributes her skills to the school. She has also been very active in BOE meetings and is always happy to discuss school issues with anyone interested to learn how they can get involved.

In her free time, Elyse enjoys being outdoors — walking, hiking, swimming, or biking — and spending time with great friends.

Andrea M. DeGaetano

Executive Board - Co-Treasurer

Andrea is a real estate and trusts and estates attorney practicing in New York and Connecticut. She is happily married to Evan and the proud mom of Scarlet, a wolfpit alum & middle schooler, and Michael, a kindergartener at Wolfpit.

She co-founded the OK to Delay cellphone movement in Norwalk, CT with Christina Rothstein, working to educate parents on the impact of technology on youth and the options available to them. Andrea also regularly advocates at Board of Education meetings, especially during budget discussions.

She is happiest surrounded by friends, family and her extended Wolfpit community and is proud to be part of such a supportive school environment.

Amanda Trimboli

Fundraising Chair, Apparel Chair, Advocacy

Amanda is the proud mother of Sadie (5th grade) and Cory (3rd grade). She has been a dedicated member of the Wolfpit community, recently wrapping up three impactful years as PTA President. Amanda continues to stay deeply involved as both a substitute teacher and an active member of the PTA.

Though she has passed the leadership torch to our new President, Melissa Izzi, Amanda remains a vital part of the PTA team. She currently oversees Wolfpit’s apparel program, organizes the beloved annual Pumpkin Festival—our longest-standing fundraiser—and serves as a passionate advocate, empowering parents to speak up and take action on behalf of Wolfpit and all Norwalk students.

Laurie & Phil Callen

Fundraising Chairs

Philip and Laurie Callen are proud parents to Alice and Abraham, and have been part of the Norwalk community for the past four years after relocating from Manhattan. With professional backgrounds in the performing arts, they bring creativity, passion, and a strong appreciation for education to everything they do.

As enthusiastic members of the Wolfpit Integrated Arts Elementary School community, Philip and Laurie serve as co-chairs of Off The Wall Art — the school’s annual back-to-school benefit. This vibrant event raises essential funds for the PTA while celebrating the talented artists and dedicated teachers who make the Wolfpit community so special.

Deanna Hansen

Fundraising Chair & Editor of the Wolfpit PTA Howler

Deanna Hansen is a Norwalk resident of more than 11 years, a dedicated Wolfpit parent, and a local real estate professional serving buyers and sellers throughout Fairfield County, CT, and Westchester County, NY. Alongside her husband, Mike, she is proud to call Norwalk home and loves being part of the community where they are raising their son, Maxwell (2nd grader).

She joined the PTA to help create memorable experiences for Maxwell and his classmates while supporting the programs, events, and opportunities that make Wolfpit such a special place. Drawing on her background in marketing and community engagement, she enjoys helping the PTA connect with local families, businesses, and supporters to make fundraising initiatives as successful as possible.

When she isn't helping clients navigate the real estate market, volunteering at Wolfpit, or serving through her church community, Deanna enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring all that Fairfield County has to offer, and planning her next adventure.

Alicia Hoffman

Community & Family Events Chair

Alicia brings 15 years of experience in client services and project management across events and branding to the Wolfpit community. She is the proud mom of Joella (4th grade), Minka (1st grade), and Vance (Pre-K 4). Alicia and her husband, Evan, met in Norwalk before eventually putting down roots and moving here to start their family. During COVID, Alicia left the corporate world and founded Alicia Hoffman Photography, a photography business focused on documenting all stages of motherhood and family life.

With a lifelong passion for the arts and motherhood, Alicia loves finding creative ways to bring those interests together. She has photographed Wolfpit’s Spring Musical and, in her free time, enjoys choreographing her daughters’ competitive dance solos. She is excited to bring her creativity, organizational skills, and love of community to Wolfpit, helping create fun, engaging, and experiential events that bring the Wolfpack together

Ashley Granata

Community & Family Events Chair

Ashley is a dedicated stay-at-home mom to three wonderful kids: Filomena, a proud secondt grader at Wolfpit; Sonny, an eager Kindergartner ready to join the Wolfpack; and Serafina, her spirited 3-year-old. In addition to parenting, Ashley runs her own cookie decorating business — Bright Butter Baking Co. — where she brings creativity and sweetness to every treat. She loves reading, cooking, baking, and spending quality time with her family, especially at the beach.

Emily Gablenz

Staff Appreciation Chair

Emily is a former teacher turned full-time mom to three wonderful kids — second graders Henry and Whit, and kindergartener Alice. With a heart for education and a passion for parenting, she now channels her experience from the classroom into raising her children and embracing the everyday joys (and chaos) of motherhood.

Jacqueline Crowe

Community Connections Chair

Jacqueline and her husband, Jon, were both born and raised in Norwalk and are proud graduates of Norwalk Public Schools. Given this, it’s especially meaningful to be raising their two children, Andi and Ellie, here and watching them experience the same community that shaped them.

Jacqueline is commercial real estate broker with CBRE in the region. She genuinely loves her job but her favorite role is being a mom. When shes not working, you can usually find her at the gym or spending time with family and dog, Tug.

She’s excited to be part of the PTA and looks forward to getting to know more of the Wolfpit families to make this a wonderful year for our kids!

Janelle Braig

Community Connections Chair

Janelle is a proud mom of three — Jadyn (19), Noah (8), and Raina (5) — and recently became a new grandma! She moved to Norwalk with her husband, a lifelong Norwalk resident and owner of T&D Tree Service, and loves being part of the local community.

Janelle is a yoga teacher and has spent much of her career in the restaurant and hospitality industry. She currently works as the Head Bartender for The Vintage Horse, a mobile bar where she helps run and coordinate events.

With a natural love for bringing people together, Janelle enjoys planning and hosting events, making people feel welcome, and creating memorable experiences. When she’s not busy with work, family, or the PTA, you’ll likely find her baking and decorating cakes or making homemade sourdough bread.

Janelle is excited to bring her creativity, hospitality experience, and love of community to the Wolfpit PTA!

Michelle Rideout

Community Connections Chair

Michelle is a proud Wolfpit mom of two — Lincoln, who is in 1st grade, and Brooke, who is in Pre-K. Originally from Canada, Michelle and her husband, Matt, moved to Connecticut in 2018 and quickly fell in love with Norwalk. She is proud to call Norwalk home and loves being an active part of the community.

Michelle works at Burn Boot Camp and recently earned her Personal Training Certification. When she’s not at the gym, she loves spending time with family and friends.

Michelle is excited to be part of the Wolfpit PTA and looks forward to getting involved, meeting more families, and helping make the Wolfpit community even stronger!

Nanette Laughton

Teacher Liason

Alyson Cahill

Teacher Liason

Alyson is the Arts Integration and Theatre Coach at Wolfpit Elementary and serves as the PTA’s Teacher Liaison. In this role, she helps ensure smooth communication between staff and the PTA and plays a key part in planning school assemblies. She is also a proud mom to a fifth grader at Wolfpit and a 7th grader at Nathan Hale Middle School. Alyson is passionate about live performance, loves dogs of all kinds, and treasures time spent with family and friends

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Melissa Izzi

Melissa Evans

Gady Gallagher

Tanya Jacobi

Elyse Williams

Andrea M. DeGaetano

Amanda Trimboli

Laurie & Phil Callen

Deanna Hansen

Alicia Hoffman

Ashley Granata

Emily Gablenz

Jacqueline Crowe

Janelle Braig

Michelle Rideout

Nanette Laughton

Alyson Cahill

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