Meet the Play lab Board

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Soudary is passionate about helping organizations power their missions through community-centric strategies with equity at the core. Proud 1st generation Lao American, Soudary channels her passion for refugee and immigrant rights, children youth + families, and social justice into engaging supporters to address systemic issues that touch upon racial equity, education and public health. Soudary serves as vice president, development at Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a nonprofit dedicated to building healthier communities, and driven by an impact goal of every mind, every body, every young person–healthy and ready to succeed. She has previously led fundraising, marketing and impact initiatives for school leadership, early childhood, afterschool/ trauma-informed supports, as well as advised national nonprofit executives. Soudary is an alumna of DePaul University (MPS), and the University of California, Santa Barbara (BA). Soudary values connecting small, community-based organizations typically left out of funding and access–with partners who can amplify their work, and is a member of the Orchid Giving Circle of the Texas Women’s Foundation. She also serves on the board of Asian Texans for Justice, and is an ambassador for Women’s Global Education Project. Soudary lives in North Texas with her family. She is an avid Purebarre enthusiast, and raised by "Reading Rainbow" as a latchkey kid--aims to read more books.

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Meet Keisha Dean, a Chicago native currently living in Atlanta. She earned a B.A. in Marketing Communication from Columbia College Chicago, an MBA in Marketing from Shorter University, and a Project Management Certificate from Kennesaw State University. Her skills landed her in various advertising and marketing roles with companies across various industries including entertainment, publishing, healthcare, childcare, and technology.

Keisha is the brilliant mind behind exceptional marketing strategies and innovative campaigns. With a relentless passion for all things marketing, she takes the helm as the driving force behind successful brand development and growth. Armed with an in-depth understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, and emerging technologies, she is a strategic marketing partner. She has spent the last 15 years revolutionizing brands and propelling them to unparalleled success.

When she isn’t working, Keisha enjoys spending time with family & friends, and actively serving the community through her sorority. She is firmly rooted in the belief that adequate resources coupled with counseling and mentoring initiatives are necessary to create a more equitable and supportive educational system. 

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Talley was born in Delaware, to a family that attended Quaker Schools for 3 generations.  The Quaker philosophy of seeing each human for their gifts, kindness, pacifism, equality and simplicity rooted her since she was a child.  Those same beliefs inform her educational practice that spans from primary grades through university, and now the arena of early childhood education.  She founded OP Friends, better known as Oak Park Friends School, with her friend Chloe Cunningham in 2014, after running a successful in-home daycare since 2007. She attended Northwestern University.  She lives with her partner of over 25 years, Robert Hann and together they have 3 amazing children.  Between her professional educational experience and her practical parenting and relationship experience, Talley brings a wealth of knowledge, and a unique strategic way of approaching all growth, obstacles and just life in general. Favorite saying: Look for the light in all.

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Parent Advocate

Research & Policy Advisor

Dr. Twyla Blackmond Larnell (PhD. Michigan State University; B.A. Lake Forest College) is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Loyola University Chicago. Her research and teaching center on American urban and local politics and public policy with a specific interest in racial, gender, and class inequalities and inequities in the areas of governmental representation, 

Prof. Larnell conducts research that answers practical questions regarding the social, economic, and political problems facing racialized groups and low-income neighborhoods. Her research focuses on understanding how local politics and policies influence the distribution of power and resources throughout cities that contribute to 1) disparities in the representation of racialized groups and women in local government and 2) spatial inequalities that trouble those communities with predominantly racialized and low-income populations. . 

In conjunction with her research, Twyla values the thoughts, opinions, beliefs, concerns, and questions of young people. 

As an educator and parent (teenager and toddler),  Dr. Larnell believes that parents, instructors, and childcare providers need to rethink how we want to shape our children. 

, Dr. Larnell wants young people to be able to grow into their own interests rather than the interests of those around them. She wants children to learn in environments that exposes them to a wide variety of peers, play, and learning. As adults, it is our job to train young people on how to be good people. But, it is also our job to consider what kind good person they want to be and help them achieve it! Adults, open your minds! Think like a kid!

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 Big Body Movement Advisor,

  Inclusion Advisor

Mike Huber, MAEd (He/Him) has been in the field of Early Childhood Care and Education since 1992. He is the author of Inclusion Includes Us: Building Bridges and Removing Barriers to Include All Children and Adults in Early Childhood Classrooms and Embracing Rough and Tumble Play: Teaching with the Body in Mind. He is the co-host of the podcast Teaching with the Body in Mind and frequent guest on That Early Childhood Nerd. Mike is the Director of Curriculum at Rise Early Learning Center. His board experience includes has served on the Boards of MnAEYC and Childcare Aware MN. 

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  Family Advisor,

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Danyale Washington, a dedicated professional with a B.A. in Psychology, is a DONA-trained Postpartum doula, Certified Sleep Consultant, CAPPA-Trained New Parent Educator, ABA Therapist, and a seasoned Career Childcare Worker, Danyale knows firsthand the joys and struggles that come with parenthood and caregiving. She's not just a specialist in Behavior and Potty Training; she's a mentor, a guardian, and a pillar of support for those who need it most.

Danyale's mission is rooted in her unwavering belief that every child deserves a thriving village. She is the driving force behind Sweet Piece Solutions, a haven for parents, guardians, and childcare professionals alike. Through workshops, training, coaching, and mentorship, Danyale empowers her community to tackle the toughest challenges of childrearing – from sleepless nights to postpartum concerns and beyond. She believes, it's not just about children; it's about nurturing those who care for them. Danyale understands that caregivers need support, guidance, and tools to be their best selves. Her passion is rooted in compassion, ensuring that every child's message to the world is one of strength and promise