Playworks Arizona Names Georgia Harris as Executive Director

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Playworks Arizona, part of the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children’s well-being and healthy development, welcomes Georgia Harris as the new Executive Director. She brings more than 20 years of experience in education, social services, and nonprofit management to the organization which works to bring out the best in every kid-and adult- through moments of joy, connection, skill development, and physical activity.

As executive director, Harris will oversee Playworks Arizona’s operations and partnerships with elementary schools, districts, and community-based organizations across the region. The nonprofit provides direct service coaching, training and consultation for adults working with kids leveraging games and youth development practices that support academic readiness and motivation.

“Playworks is excited to have Georgia onboard. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience which will forge the Arizona region for years to come. We look forward to her innovative approach to the mission of play and her extensive experience in building community partnerships”, stated Kerryann Tomlinson, Vice President, Field Operations.

Since 2004, Harris has served youth and families in Arizona in various capacities. Her curriculum on The Foundations of Autism, endorsed by the American Psychological Association (APA) as Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and best practices provided to SAMHSA research-based initiatives have helped advance the State of Arizona Healthcare system. More recently, she worked as principal charter author and founding superintendent of The Excel Center, the state’s first adult charter high school, for which she was named one of Phoenix Business Journal’s 2023 Outstanding Women in Business.

Outside of work, Harris is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. She is a guest lecturer at Northern Arizona University and sits on the African American high school attainment task force for Achieve60/ Education Forward Arizona – the Education Progress Meter initiative. Harris volunteers as the Club Experience Manager for the Phoenix Falcons Fencing Club as she trains as a Competitive Fencer. She holds a master’s degree in Adult Education and Training and is pursuing a doctorate in Education Leadership.

“Playworks is committed to developing the leadership potential and conflict-resolution skills of this nation’s future citizens. I aim to use my range of diverse skills and experiences, to encourage lasting partnerships and expansion of this great mission and vision into future generations,” Harris said.

This school year, Playworks Arizona will ensure more than 35,000 youth in schools and community partners experience safe and healthy play during and beyond the school day statewide. For more information, visit: https://www.playworks.org/arizona.

About Playworks

Playworks is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children’s physical and emotional well-being. The organization, which has operated in Arizona for 11 years, aims to bring out the best in every kid and hopes that one day, every child in America will get to play every day. For over 25 years, Playworks has improved kids’ experience at school and enhanced school culture by creating a caring and welcoming environment for every kid to thrive. The organization brings out the best in every kid-and adult- through moments of joy, connection, skill development, and physical activity. Through direct-service coaching of youth and providing training and consultation for adults working with kids, Playworks partners with elementary schools, districts, and community-based organizations to bring games and youth development practices. With an emphasis on social, physical, and emotional skill-building, students feel included while being active and developing valuable skills needed to thrive in and out of the classroom. During the 2023-2024 school year, the nonprofit is ensuring more than 600,000 youth in over 1,300 schools and community partners experience safe and healthy play during and beyond the school day nationwide. For more information, visit: www.playworks.org.

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