Playworks Names Jess Skylar as Chief Growth Officer

OAKLAND, Calif. – Playworks, the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children’s social and emotional health, is proud to announce that Jess Skylar, 35, of San Francisco, is the new Chief Growth Officer. Skylar will spearhead growth and sustainability efforts in the 23 markets where Playworks programming is implemented, thus increasing the nonprofit’s impact to transform school communities and shape tomorrow’s citizens nationwide.

Skylar brings more than 15 years of experience driving social change in corporate finance and education to Playworks, which partners with elementary schools, school districts, and after-school programs to integrate games into recess to create a place where every kid on the playground can feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills needed to thrive in the classroom and beyond.

Previously, Skylar held positions at Ashoka, the largest global network of leading social entrepreneurs, and co-founded HIP (Human Impact + Profit) Investor, an innovative sustainable investing firm. For the last seven years, she worked her way up from director to vice president at Revolution Foods, one of the country’s fastest growing social enterprises focused on transforming our nation’s food supply, where she built high performing teams, thoughtful technology systems, and detailed business and operating models to drive growth.

“Jess is the perfect fit for Playworks as she is always seeking new ways to transform systems to ensure the best for our communities – locally, nationally and globally,” says Elizabeth Cushing, President of Playworks. “We are confident that Jess will help to provide the best collaborative support to all our regions and help Playworks continue to scale programs and services so that more students have access to safe and healthy play every day.”

Skylar holds a bachelor’s degree in international development and communications law and government and a master’s degree in international peace and conflict from American University. Outside the office, she volunteers with the National Foundation for Entrepreneurship and serves on the Leadership Committee of International Rescue Committee’s Generation R young professionals group. She continues to play by traveling the world, spending time outdoors, and keeping up with her husband and their three children.

“Playworks is working to help create the world that I want to live in,” says Skylar. “I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to work with an organization that helps schools use play to bring out the best in every kid. I am honored and excited to join such a thoughtful, smart, engaged and inspiring team.”

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