Daniel Nakamura
Chair
Daniel is the co-founder of Let’s Play America and owns Booth-o-Rama Photobooths, which serves the Washington Metro Region. Daniel loves to document kids in action and promotes play through his photography.
Joann Robertson
Secretary
Joann works at Playground Medic of Hawthorne, NY as a certified playground inspector and certified safety professional. She also 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 worked as an intern for LPA during the summer of 2019 and has been assisting periodically since then. She holds a Master’s degree in public health from The George Washington University and is a Certified Health Education Specialist. Emily currently lives in Virginia and works for the National Association of County and City Health Officials. 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. Her career has included preschool teacher, School Psychologist, Clinical Supervisor and Special Education Director in a day treatment program for children, and an English as a Second Language Teacher in China and Spain. Louise has observed the power of play to support social skills, emotional healing, learning and healthy development.
Jen Byrne
Member
After graduating from the University of Maryland with a BA in advertising design, 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® a playhouse/art activity product company. 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!
Dave Flanigan
Member
Ever since he was a little kid, Dave loved to play! Whether it was hanging upside down on a playground, riding his bike or wading in the stream at the local park, being outside was his favorite thing to do. Dave is a graduate of SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY.
Over the last 20 years, Dave has been a leader in the nonprofit and public sectors focusing on developing, directing and evaluating national and local programs.