It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our beloved teammate, Gianna (Gigi) Annino. She was a vibrant and cherished member of our team and community for the last 10 years, and she positively affected all those who had the pleasure of working with her. Gigi will be profoundly missed throughout our entire community.

We invite you to a celebration of life event for our beloved Gigi:

• Date + Time: Friday, December 12 from 11am - 1pm
• Location: in person at 21455 Birch St. in Hayward or join on Zoom 
• Sharing Circle will begin at 11:30, you are invited to bring a memory or story to share!
• Various grief stations will be set up around the room

As a team, we have been reflecting on the bright light that Gigi was to us, and wanted to offer some joyful highlights of who she was in celebration of her memory:

Gigi, the foodie. To know Gigi is to have eaten some of her food or talked with her about a delicious meal you had, but most consistently dessert. Good food has always been part of Gigi’s life, from food photography to culinary training to dining at amazing restaurants. She made homemade treats for our team—accommodating countless food allergies and restrictions, double checking ingredients, and making sure everyone could enjoy what she made us. She was such a food pusher it was impossible to say no because it brought her so much joy to share food with us. We were never lacking restaurant recommendations or begging her for recipes (if she even knew it, because her ability to assemble random ingredients into something delectable was pure magic).

Gigi, the hospitable host. Always ready to dive in to help others, Gigi truly embodied the idea of the “host with the most.” Our team retreats were always so well curated with little touches like homemade bookmarks and incredible spreads of snacks. She had an impeccable memory for people’s preferences and needs, and would go out of her way to attend to them. She would notice things people loved and talk about them (be it traveling with Antoine, fashion with Bri, craft ideas with Colleen, music with Paula, or jokes with Shawana). Gigi knew how to make people feel included and welcomed whether it was a party, meeting, or casual conversation in the office, and always had little gifts to give everyone.

Gigi, the introvert. Notoriously private and with a limited social battery, Gigi modeled gentleness and intention with our often energetic (and sometimes chaotic) team. She would never want to draw attention to herself and was always so apt to credit others. No glory. No fanfare. Just solid support and commitment to care for others. This also meant that she held strong boundaries (her NO always was final and immovable), and when her capacity for people was reached she would silently exit, leaving everyone wondering (and laughing), “Where did Gigi go?”

Gigi, the creative. Everything Gigi was and everything Gigi touched was beautiful. From little flowers or sprinkles of glitter on the macarons she loved to make to the nature-filled slide decks she designed for our workshops, Gigi made it better. She had a strong visual sense and impeccable taste for descriptive imagery. This was just her—from her personal style, her photography, and the little decor touches she put around the office.

Gigi, the feeler. Gigi was so immensely loving to every creature, every person, she just exuded love. She cared so deeply about things going on around her, from local and global politics to nurturing plants and feeding the animals that came to her balcony with homemade goodies. She cherished her beloved bird NumNum who was often joyfully singing in the background which made Gigi smile a little bit before she told him lovingly to be quiet. Gigi was a picture of the power of trauma transformed - she navigated many challenges and embodied kindness, humor, and curiosity through it all.

We ask for your grace as we navigate this difficult time. May all impacted find comfort and strength in the cherished memories you shared with Gigi. Gigi's sister also shared this beautiful quote with us, 

"There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart."

As people have asked about donations, the family requests that donations go either to an organization that protects Gigi’s beloved birds called WildCare or to continue her work with a donation to EBAC/Trauma Transformed - details for both are on the "Give" section.

Sending all our care,

The Trauma Transformed Team - Shawana, Antoine, Paula, Bri and Colleen

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