Our People

National Expansion Director Eunice Dunham moved to Boston to launch Playworks' program there after four years on the staff as a site coordinator and area director in California. Eunice is using the experience of establishing programs in Boston in her new role identifying and cultivating new cities and school districts for Playworks' continued national expansion.

Chief Program Officer David Gallagher began his career with Playworks as a “coach” in an Oakland elementary school. After years of managing school programs in the Bay Area, he moved onto spearheading Playworks Training, and later transitioned into the role of national program director. As CPO, David and the national program team are responsible for managing our cities and programs, ensuring that quality standards and program operations are consistent and supported across the country. In his spare time, David enjoys coaching a high school soccer team and loves a fierce game of curbside 4-square.

Melissa began with Playworks in 2006 as an AmeriCorps member. She then worked as a Program Coordinator for three additional years in the East Bay, CA.  She is thrilled to broaden her role as an advocate for children and bring the power of play to as many people possible. She is grateful to be surrounded by wonderful, like-minded people that make every day fun and exciting.  In her free time Melissa enjoys bowling, cooking, music, tending to her chickens, and playing!!!

Chris Conard is beginning his fifth year with Playworks and is continually inspired by the power of play in education.  Chris is a Saint Louis native who came to the Bay Area to go to graduate school.  Chris worked as a program coordinator for three years in the Bay Area before moving into the national office as the administrative associate.  He now is national expansion manager and is excited to hit the road to bring on new Playworks cities for the fall of 2011.  He enjoys traveling, biking, gardening, running and crossword puzzles.

National Program Director David Dial has over 20 years of experience as a senior leader in nonprofits. David was the founding executive director for Zeum, San Francisco's hands-on multimedia arts and technology experience for kids. He served on senior management teams during the launching of Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center. When David is not busy overseeing school programs in cities across the country, he enjoys playing badminton, table tennis or throwing a frisbee with his family.

Special Projects Manager Stephen Fox is a Wisconsin native who came to California in search of gold. He spent two years as a program coordinator at Hawthorne Elementary and two years as a program manager before moving to the development team, where he served as a development associate prior to his current position. Steve recognizes the need for good role models in youths' lives and works hard to ensure that all Playworks staff provide consistent and positive examples to all of the children they serve.

Dave Gilmore worked as a program coordinator in Playworks' Baltimore launch year, then left to work as a middle school special education teacher in Queens, NY. Dave returned from the his experiences in the classroom in 2007 to serve as Playworks Baltimore's executive director. After two and a half years in that position, Dave joined the national staff as director of program operations in August, 2009. He currently supports Playworks through organizing the flow of communication and supplies between the Playworks national and city offices. A native of Baltimore, Dave is based in the Playworks Baltimore office and has also worked out of the national office in Oakland.

Social Media Manager Beth Kimberly, began her Playworks career as a program coordinator. She learned a lot about the power of play at schools in Silicon Valley, San Francisco and Oakland. Beth later became a program manager in the East Bay then San Francisco, and is now responsible for leading Playworks' efforts to build an online movement to support the power of play. She enjoys using play to empower children and adults to love learning both in person and online. Beth loves to get outdoors and play both on the playground and in nature.

Cheryl Lewis joined Playworks as human resources associate in the summer of 2009. Prior to Playworks, she was worked as the employment and training specialist at San Francisco International Airport. She has also managed internship programs and job placement for foster care youth and other youth in San Mateo and San Francisco counties. At Playworks, Cheryl supports hiring and other HR efforts to improve education through safe and interactive play. Cheryl's passion is volleyball, including two seasons as head coach for South San Francisco High School's volleyball program.

Community Training Program Manager Dana LoVecchio started with Playworks in 2002 as a site coordinator at Oliveira Elementary School in Fremont, California and then as an area director. Dana is grateful to not only have playful and passionate colleagues, but to spread that passion for play to the greater community. She also enjoys gouda cheese, crackers, a bottle of Riesling, and a Sally Field movie.

IT ManagerRichard Ng was drawn to Playworks because of its mission and model of structured and meaningful play with children. Born and raised in Oakland, Richard spent many years working with children as a recreation leader. Over the last nine years, he worked as an IT network administrator for Golden Gate Regional Center, a state-funded not-for-profit agency serving the developmentally disabled.

Director of Program Quality Maya Novak spent two years as a site coordinator at Whittier Elementary School in Oakland before taking roles as area director, Bay Area program director, and now director of program quality. Maya is always impressed and amazed by the level of dedication of the Playworks staff, as well as their capacity to turn almost anything into a game.

Daisy Ruiz is a native of Los Angeles. She joined Playworks as a volunteer and helped launch the Spanish language version of the Playworks website, Playworks en Espanol. She enjoys the culture of play that Playworks is trying to spread to schools across the country and likes that the office maintains a fun yet professional vibe. Daisy is currently pursuing her Masters degree in nonprofit management at the University of San Francisco. In her free time she enjoys reading, writing, traveling and watching her Lakers win yet another championship.

Grants Manager Nancy Shillis comes to Playworks with 20 years experience as a grantmaker in a number of Bay Area philanthropic institutions, working primarily in the field of youth development. Nancy works with city directors on fund development strategies to grow and sustain their programs. She is thrilled to work for a nonprofit focused on helping kids get a healthy dose of play everyday, having seen first-hand how play has positively impacted her own children’s development.

National Expansion Associate Diane Tadano has been working with, and for youth for over ten years. After graduating UC Davis, Diane joined Playworks as a program coordinator in Oakland, CA and spent two years on the playground at Garfield Elementary. Since then she has taken on roles as program manager and currently works in the awesome expansion department, bringing play to kids all across the nation. Sports are a huge part of her life; she gets excited when she sees kids discovering their love for play. 

 

Director of Communications Cindy Wilson has been providing public relations and communications services for more than 20 years, working with public relations agencies, corporations and nonprofit groups. She is passionate about children's issues and educational equity, and is committed to help build a movement by getting the word out about the role of play in learning. In addition to her work with Playworks, she is active in community and school causes, is the assistant coach of a girls' soccer team and loves two-square.