As a leader, researcher, and learning designer, I translate big ideas into powerful stories and impactful solutions.My why is wellbeing. Ever since I was a kid, growing up Jewish in a northern Chicago suburb and regularly getting lost in stories and pretend play, I recognized that I was "one of the lucky ones" -- and that it shouldn't be that way. I read "A Little Princess" and "The Outsiders." I watched "Maid to Order" (Ally Sheedy's reverse Cinderella story) and "Trading Places" (Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd's riff on "The Prince and the Pauper"). And I wondered, Why did these characters, and certain kids and families, and people with marginalized identities, and ordinary folks with plain old bad luck, not get the same things I did? Privilege aside -- why didn't they get enough to eat? Medicine when they were sick? A place to sleep? And how could we sleep when THIS was our neighbors' reality?And, you know, I also did children's theater and played frisbee and stuff. Wasn't hand-wringing my whole childhood. #ZoompaTheOompaLoompaBut over the years and in various ways, I've sought to redress these savage inequalities while also exploring powerful stories and getting serious about play. I've earned degrees in social policy (Bachelor's, Northwestern), child development (Master's, Tufts), and communication (PhD, University of Southern California). I've worked for the U.S. government, taught preschool, helped run a kids' film festival, edited textbooks, performed improv, volunteered at shelters, helped produce a kids' TV show, taught college, collaborated with non-profits, worked for a toy company, coached public speakers, and facilitated rigorous research. I've lived and worked in Chicago, Boston, DC, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Paris, Vienna, Mumbai, and Dakar. Here's what I've learned -- and I've got the data to prove it!1. Stories are the best teachers.2. Play is the best way to learn.3. There are a million and one effective ways to enrich people's wellbeing. We just need the will and the resources to do what works -- together.All I've ever wanted to do is make the world a better place -- and enjoy a good yarn and some fun along the way. I am extremely grateful that my work AND my family let me do that. In so many respects, I am, as ever, one of the lucky ones, trying to do my Gramma proud by leaving it a little better than I found it.