San Francisco 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 San Francisco. 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.
Ellen Goodman
Prior to moving to the Bay Area in 1999 from Washington, D.C., San Francisco Executive Director Ellen Goodman had an extensive career in the public sector both on the national and international scale. Ellen’s San Francisco work allowed her to focus on low-income families whose children are suffering from medical complications and special needs. As Executive Director of Variety Children’s Charity of Northern California, Ellen launched community-based service programs to prevent low-income families from financial hardship because of a child battling cancer, disabilities, or marginalized circumstances.
Ellen was introduced to Playworks by a trusted friend and colleague. After multiple school visits, Ellen became convinced that Playworks was an organization she wanted to be a part of. With a long range vision of making the world a better place, Ellen saw how her experience would help meet the goals of Playworks: positively impacting children’s health and well-being by harnessing the power of play at school.
Mary Anderson
Mary Anderson started as a program coordinator at George Peabody Elementary right here in San Francisco for two years before moving on to program manager. She is excited to support nine program coordinators in spreading the Playworks love throughout San Francisco. Mary loves seeing kids try new things and use play as a tool to develop and grow. Mary's all time favorite game is ninja and plays it whenever possible!
Colby Gordon
Playworks Program Manager Colby Gordon joined the San Francisco office team after completing two years of Americorps service as a program coordinator at Verde Elementary in Richmond, CA and one year as program manager in Philadelphia. Born and raised in Oakland, CA, Colby has ventured far from home to spread the Playworks vision. He hopes to bring his dedication to play to recess yards all over San Francisco and is excited about introducing Playworks to thousands of new students. It's game time. Play hard!!!
Liz Kunkel
Playworks Program Associate Liz Kunkel was a program coordinator for a year at Rosa Parks Elementary School in San Francisco before becoming a member of the office staff. Originally from Minneapolis, she moved to California to be away from the harsh, cold Midwest winters. With many years of youth development under her belt, she is excited to be contributing to the great work Playworks does to promote play in the Bay Area.
John Quinn
John Quinn is the program manager for Playworks San Francisco and has been with the organization for six years. After graduating from UC Davis, John started as a program coordinator in Alameda, CA. After two strong years in the field, he was promoted to program manager in the East Bay office. Over a three-year span, John supervised coaches in Oakland, Emeryville, Richmond, El Cerrito and Berkeley. An Oakland native, John has shown his dedication to the organization by relocating to San Francisco.
John's favorite game to lead is Capture the Flag and his favorite game to play is 3 Lines Basketball. John’s favorite Playworks memory is traveling with a team of five to Capetown, South Africa for 18 days, to teach children and community leaders games they had never seen as well as to model the Playworks philosophy.
Emma Rapp
Bill Vanark
Bill Vanark, Program Director, began his career with Playworks as program coordinator at Think College Now Elementary School. He joined the team after having taught in the Oakland Unified School District. Bill is inspired by the ability of the Playworks staff to create a positive, safe and inclusive school culture though play and and enjoys creating and facilitating trainings to enable others to achieve this in their own schools.
