Chris Conard Named Ernst & Young’s 2019 Social Entrepreneur of the Year

  1. Updates


Our Executive Director, Chris Conard, was named Ernst & Young’s 2019 Social Entrepreneur of the Year, and we could not be more proud!

Chris was recognized for his commitment to ensuring every kid throughout the state has access to safe and healthy play at their schools. He empowers his staff to innovate around services and programs that will best serve each school and meet their individual needs. Chris has led the growth of Playworks Utah from serving five schools in 2008 to currently serving 115 schools and impacting over 65,000 kids. 

We are grateful to have Chris leading the charge to help give every kid in Utah the childhood they deserve.

More Updates


January 10, 2023

Understanding the Complex Simplicities of Play ›

Play is a behavior that is natural and has existed for thousands of years and across species. It combines a set of made-up rules or norms and a willingness to explore. Researchers, scientists, and doctors have studied the effects of play on kids–and adults–and understand that this natural behavior has tremendous benefits. As the American…

August 24, 2021

Playworks Founder Jill Vialet Publishes ‘Why Play Works’ ›

Play brings out the best in every kid. Over the course of 25 years since Jill Vialet founded Playworks, she and her colleagues, as well as researchers and play experts, have demonstrated precisely how and why play works to help kids learn and grow in the most positive and healthy ways. Jill gathered stories from people…

Teacher in classroom
Teacher in classroom

May 13, 2021

Playworks and the Community Foundation of Utah Join Forces to Play it Forward ›

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Playworks and the Community Foundation of Utah Join Forces to Play it Forward Salt Lake City, UT—May 11, 2021—Playworks announced today that it has joined forces with the Community Foundation of Utah to offer immediate relief to Computer Science educators throughout the state with strengthening classroom experiences through fun, engaging play-based resources. …