Our People

Deputy Director for Strategy & Development Elizabeth Cushing brings 15 years of non-profit management experience with organizations focused on youth development, children's advocacy and women's issues to Playworks. Elizabeth is responsible for managing major foundation relationships, leading the development and implementation of the organization's communications strategy, and contributing to expansion strategy. Elizabeth is a product of Oregon public schools.

Lisa Frydenlund has worked in human hesources for more than 12 years. She came to Playworks from The Arc of San Francisco, where she was their HR Director. Prior to The Arc, Lisa has worked for a variety of both non-profit and for profit organizations in the San Francisco area. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and holds a Professional Human Resources certification from the Society of Human Resources Management. Lisa is also a mother of an amazing 11 year old son.

Playworks Training Program Director Sharon Smith-Mauney comes to Playworks after over 17 years with the United States Tennis Association, most recently as managing director of the outreach division. As both a lifelong athlete and a mother, Sharon has a first hand understanding of the profound impact sports participation and physical activity can have in all stages of life.

Salesforce Administrator Kyle DeRoos spent five exciting and tiring years as a program coordinator at Jefferson Elementary School in Oakland and program manager in the Silicon Valley before trading in his whistle and kickball for a mouse and keyboard in the national office. Since moving indoors, Kyle spent two years on the development team before transitioning to focus on administering our data management system, Salesforce.com. After seven years with the organization, Kyle is still amazed at the impact Playworks can have on students who often slip between the cracks of traditional school programming.

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.

Payroll Contracts Administrator Beth Jersey is responsible for payroll at Playworks. She has the distinct pleasure of making the entire staff happy at least twice a month. She brings more than 20 years of payroll and accounting experience, much of it in the corporate world, and is happy to now work with an organization that makes a difference in children's lives. When she's not working, you can find her in her garden, taking long walks, reading mysteries or crossword puzzling.

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.

Playworks Training Associate Nilsa Rodriguez was born and raised in Lancaster, PA and moved to sunny California in 2004. Nilsa has a Master’s in School Counseling Education and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Prior to her employment with Playworks, Nilsa was a behavior specialist providing therapeutic services to autistic children and their families. Nilsa has also worked extensively with behaviorally challenged children in various settings and has witnessed first hand the powerful influence of play in a child’s development. She is grateful to be a part of an organization where adults are serious about play and are mindful about incorporating it into their own day.

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.

Evaluation Director Dana Wenter has conducted program evaluations for federal, state, and local organizations on topics related to obesity, violence, and tobacco use prevention. At Playworks, Dana is working to develop an evaluation that demonstrates the benefits of play on kids' social, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Before becoming an evaluator, Dana served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Papua New Guinea and coached Special Olympics.