Daniel Nakamura
Co-Founder / Chair
Daniel is the co-founder of Let’s Play America and Chair of the Board. He owns Booth-o-Rama Photobooths, which serves the Washington Metro Region. Daniel loves to document kids in action and promotes play through his photography.
Phil Shapiro
Member
Phil experienced a childhood filled with indoor and outdoor play with his siblings and friends. His parents also provided many experiences in nature — from beaches, to forests, to mountains. His schooling reinforced values of creativity, play, and nature. Phil chronicles that experience in the first person essay: “The Day My Mind Became Open Sourced.”
Pat Rumbaugh
Co-Founder / Member
Pat is co-founder of Let’s Play America and is affectionately known The Play Lady. “When I play, I’m happy, energized and enthusiastic, and I feel like I can take on the world,” says Pat, who is a passionate play advocate and encourages people of all ages to experience the benefits of play.
Joann Robertson
Secretary
Joann represents the playground inspection and repair firm on Long Island, NY. Joann frequently contributes photos and safety-related articles to numerous publications. Joann attended Springfield College and graduated with degrees in Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Science. She writes a blog found here!
Emily Schreiner
Treasurer
Emily previously worked as an intern for LPA before joining the Board. She holds a Master’s degree in public health from The George Washington University and is a Certified Health Education Specialist. She is passionate about public health, health equity, community resilience, and improving health outcomes through lifestyle and mental health.
Cherwanda Oliver
Member
Cherwanda is a mother of three wonderful daughters and has resided in Takoma Park Maryland for 34 years. She has been a community volunteer with Let’s Play America since 2010 and acquired the name “The Mud Pie Lady” for her playful antics. She is also involved in several other local community committees and organizations.
Louise Bensen
Member
Louise has an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood and Human Development and a Masters in Educational Psychology with a specialty in Early Childhood. Louise has observed the power of play to support social skills, emotional healing, learning, and healthy development throughout her roles as an educator, School Psychologist, Clinical Supervisor and Special Education Director.
Gabriela Granados
Member
Gabriela is a long-time volunteer with Let’s Play America and recently joined the Board. She is currently a student at Montgomery Community College studying Criminal Justice and enjoys giving back through ample community service hours. Throughout her life and education, Gabriela values play.
Ashley DePaulis
Advisor
Ashley is an embodiment practitioner and play advocate with a Master’s in Public Health. She is based in Denver, Colorado, where she enjoys exploring new forms of movement and being outdoors year-round. As the founder of Embodied Success, she’s passionate about inspiring others to weave play into their daily routines.
Jen Byrne
Advisor
Jen has designed for national museums, Fortune 500 companies, and international non-profits for the last 25 years. In 2005, she founded her graphics company Live.Create.Play. LLC®. In 2013, Jen formed Little Main Street Playhouses, LLC®. Her special gift is in helping others express their unique vision to be seen and make their mark in the world—adults and children alike!
Dr. Donna Graham
Honorary Advisor
Dr. Donna Graham has served on the State level as President, First Vice President, chair of World Fellowship and Technology Committee.
Donna retired as a teacher in June 2009. Among her many accomplishments, she is most proud of being the District of Columbia Teacher of the Year (1995.)
Dr. Stuart Brown
Honorary Advisor
Stuart Brown, MD is the founder of the National Institute for Play, where he speaks, consults and educates organizations, corporations, universities, and public policy makers about the importance of play in our lives and the unexpected, serious consequences that occur when play is neglected.
Dr. Marcy Guddemi
Honorary Advisor
Dr. Marcy Guddemi is widely recognized as an expert in early childhood education, learning though play, and developmental assessment.
Dr. Guddemi is the Treasurer for Defending the Early Years (DEY). She also is an active member of International Play Association (IPA) and an officer in the American Association for the Child’s Right to Play (IPA/USA).