Playworks Welcomes Angela Glymph-Austin to its Board of Directors

Playworks, a national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children’s physical and emotional well-being, is pleased to welcome three new youth champions to the nonprofit’s board of directors. Brigitte Addimando, Founder and Managing Partner of NorthStar Partnerships, Evelyn Barahona, Senior Vice President of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Angela Glymph-Austin, CEO of Peer Health Exchange, will support the organization’s sustainability and growth to ensure children in schools and community partners across the country experience safe and healthy play during and beyond the school day.

“Playworks is deeply focused on supporting kids’ mental-well-being through play and that means we depend on our national board to offer strategic guidance and access to networks to help us do that well. These new board members are not only committed to our mission, they also have already demonstrated how they will expand the board’s capacity to contribute toward our goal of every kid having access to safe and healthy play at school. We’re so excited to have them on our team,” said Elizabeth Cushing, Playworks CEO.

An experienced strategy consultant, facilitator, and leadership coach with demonstrated success working with clients across multiple industries, Addimando will bring her expertise in relationship management and organizational communications to Playworks. The Philadelphia-based mother of three has held board positions for several youth development organizations.

Barahona serves the mission of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) as the Senior Vice President of the Educational Fund, the organization’s foundation and 501c3 bringing initiatives, resources, and capital access to the Hispanic entrepreneur ecosystem. USHCC is the largest small business impact and advocacy organization in the country serving the interests of 5 million Hispanic owned businesses contributing $800 billion to the U.S. economy. Her previous work with The Boston Foundation overseeing philanthropic initiatives centered on Latino economic well-being and current work on the Board of Ambassadors for Eastern Bank, makes the Boston resident excited to be part of the Playworks mission as a board member and advocate.

“Now more than ever, the role of play is critical to the development and health of our young people's minds and spirits,” says Barahona. “In our digital era of information, knowing how to tap into creativity and discernment will be key for our young people to thrive and making a positive impact through skills learned through play. I believe Playworks mission and role plays a key role in nurturing a brighter future through play.”

Dr. Glymph-Austin leads a national nonprofit focused on providing youths ages 13-18 mental health, sexual wellness, and identity resources. Prior to her appointment as CEO in 2023, she led the organization through significant programmatic transformations guided by her commitment to evidence- and stakeholder-informed practices in her role as Present. She brings over 15 years of experience and expertise in developing and managing health and educational equity programs, as well as evaluating health and educational outcomes of such programs. The Washington, DC resident, mother, and published author serves on the board of education and mental health awareness nonprofits and co-leads a BIPOC Mental Health Coalition.

Meeting at least four times per year, the Playworks Board of Directors hold governance and fiduciary responsibility for the organization and serve as the nonprofit’s greatest ambassadors. While providing advice and strategic direction, taken from their individual areas of significant expertise, the group also strengthens the national nonprofit’s position by connecting leadership to their personal and professional networks and participating on committees focused on particular strategic endeavors. Members often serve for multiple two-year terms and are also philanthropically engaged, raising money annually in support of the organization’s strategic initiatives.

For more information, visit: www.playworks.org.

About Playworks

Playworks is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children’s physical and emotional well-being. The organization 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.