Portland Staff
The key to our success is the incredible enthusiasm and dedication of the Playworks staff. Meet some of the people who are bringing play to Portland. Please note: Our direct school programs are led by the efforts of our program coordinators in each school in each of the cities we serve. While they are too numerous to list here, they are essential to the success of the program.
Jonathan Blasher
Executive Director Jonathan Blasher is originally from Eugene, Oregon and has always enjoyed giving back to the community. Motivated by making a positive difference in the world, Blasher was attracted to Playworks with the idea of working with potentially "at-risk youth" at the elementary age and providing positive guidance before their teenage years. He started with the organization in 2004 as an AmeriCorps program coordinator at Stege Elementary in Richmond, CA. He completed a second year at Stege before spending two years as a program manager and one year as a program director in the Bay Area before returning to his home state. When he's not using play as a vehicle for social change in schools and local communities he enjoys outdoor activities, spending time with his family and friends and enjoying good food and music.
Melinda Brummett
Though born in Jackson, MS, Melinda Brummett spent the majority of her childhood in the Portland metro area. She has always had a love and passion for working with youth and has spent 20 years working and volunteering with a variety of youth organizations, schools, and summer camps. She has a deep desire to help build healthy communities where families and businesses come together to support local schools. For two years she worked at Woodlawn School in NE Portland as an AmeriCorps parent involvement coordinator and was a key advocate for bringing Playworks to Woodlawn. She is a mother of four and enjoys spending time with her family playing games and camping. Her favorite game is ‘one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish.’
Tara Doherty
Portland Program Director, Tara Doherty, graduated with a degree in Finance, but found that the non-profit world and her long history of working with youth was really what inspired her. With her Playworks roots planted strongly in the Bay area, where she began as a program coordinator at Fairmont Elementary in El Cerrito, Tara has been a proud member of the Portland team since it's inception in 2009. She is continually impressed by the power of play and has experienced its impact with folks across the country; from her home state of New York to the 'Great Land' of Alaska. Tara also digs live music and will challenge you to a game of Knockout any day of the week!
Matt Ferro
Matt Ferro spent two years as an Americorps program coordinator (PC) before transitioning into the role of program manager in Portland. After starting as flex coordinator, Matt was the PC at Woodlawn Elementary in NE Portland where Ro-Sham-Bo and high fives were as common as Portland rain! Matt recently earned his M.Ed. in Elementary Education and has taught 3rd grade and Kindergarten. He is looking forward to using his experience in youth development to support the program coordinators and spread the love of safe, healthy play. A NW native, Matt loves to hike, swim, and would love to play kickball with a healthy Trailblazers team!
Molly Moran
After graduating from the University of Montana, Molly Moran has been working with youth all over the country until settling in Portland, OR where she spent a year as a program coordinator at Markham Elementary. In her current role as program manager, Molly brings over ten years of experience in youth development as she sets out to support an amazing team of program coordinators. Molly is continuously amazed at the impact Playworks has not only within the schools, but on the community as well. As a PROUD Montana native Molly has a deep love for the mountains and spends all of her free time skiing and playing on the lake.
Doran Whipple
Doran joined Playworks in 2009, our inaugural year in Portland. She is a native Oregonian and has spent her professional career in northern California and Oregon where she worked with children and adults in a variety of school based and non-profit settings dedicated to building community. She is committed to supporting children build self-esteem, gain leadership and conflict resolution skills and live healthier more productive lives through the way they naturally learn, play. Her favorite game? A toss up between tether ball, foursquare and put a bird on it.
Alyssa Wirthlin
Alyssa Wirthlin joined Playworks in 2011 as an intern. She is a senior Social Work and Spanish major at the University of Portland. After graduation she hopes to get her dual masters on the east coast. As a Portland Native, Alyssa loves to play volleyball, basketball, and play with her puppies. In the future she hopes to work in an organization similar to Playworks, combining sports and games with helping people.
