Playworks founder and CEO Jill Vialet has been named a 2013 recipient of the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards. Jill is among a small group of Californians honored by the foundation for their contributions to advancing proven, innovative solutions to some of California’s most difficult problems. The awards aim to uncover and spotlight these breakthrough solutions so that they can inform policymaking and better the lives of even more Californians.
Jill was recognized for building a school movement focused on play as a way to improve children’s well-being and academic achievement.
“I’m inspired by the transformative results these leaders have achieved by collaborating across sectors to come up with new and effective solutions,” says Jim Canales, president and CEO of the Irvine Foundation. “They each have excelled at building upon the assets of California’s residents to improve the future of our state.”
“It’s an honor for Playworks to be recognized by the James Irvine Foundation,” notes Jill. “I am grateful the foundation is calling attention to the critical role recess plays in creating schools where every child feels safe and included.”
Other Californians receiving awards are: Aida Cardenas, Building Skills Partnership, Los Angeles; Karen Christensen, Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County, Capitola; Stuart Cohen, TransForm, Oakland; Jeff Oxendine, Health Career Connection, Oakland and José Quiñonez, Mission Asset Fund, San Francisco.
For more information on this year’s recipients — including photos, videos and profiles, visit: www.irvine.org/leadership
