Our Team

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Marnie Power
Executive Director

She/Her
M.Ed [in completion], B.S.W.

Marnie Power is renowned for her work in outdoor, play-based learning. She’s a committed speaker and thought leader who founded and led several ground-breaking organizations in recent years.

Marnie is a registered social worker and is committed to children's mental health and supporting children and families who've experienced adverse childhood experiences. She loves working with children and their caregivers, as well as practitioners who work with and support children on the ground every day.

Marnie Power
Executive Director
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Liam Skinner
Consultant - Parent Support, Outdoor Play Grief Support Pilot Program

He/They
Registered Psychotherapist
Liam currently offers counselling and psychotherapy services to individuals, families and groups in a variety of settings including private practice, community mental health organizations and social service agencies.

Liam is committed to anti-oppressive and intersectional feminist based approaches, and specializes in trauma and grief. Liam loves working with individuals, parents, as well as people who identify as LGBTQ2S+ and their families.

Liam is passionate about providing psycho-education, mental health and emotionally focused support to parents, caregivers and children to foster connected, loving and playful relationships throughout life.

Liam Skinner
Consultant - Parent Support, Outdoor Play Grief Support Pilot Program
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Shawna Babcock
Director of Community Relationships & Play Support Worker

She/Her
B.A., B.Ed.
Shawna is the parent of three amazing kids and has raised them with lots of gratitude and learning on the rivers and land of unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory, surrounding the Madawaska Valley. She has a strong commitment to shifting how we think about and support healthy child development, education, community health, access to nature, multi-sector collaboration, equity and inclusion.
Shawna has contributed substantially to local, provincial and national outdoor play, and healthy community initiatives. Recently certified as a Cultivating Safe Spaces facilitator, she is focused on building relationships and environments where safety, inclusion, growth and reciprocity all co-exist. Working with children and adults on the land or on a river is where she thrives. As an educator at heart, she loves creating safe, inclusive spaces for children and adults to learn and connect.

Shawna Babcock
Director of Community Relationships & Play Support Worker
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Grace McCaffrey
Tech Support

She/They
B.A.
Grace has a degree in Environmental Science and Sustainability from Dalhousie University. A proud bricoleur, she has spent the last decade or so working with and for a variety of not-for-profit orgs and small creative businesses in a multitude of capacities – think of a position, she has probably done it!
She now specializes in tech and web development support, combining her love of service with creative problem-solving. Grace loves to take fiddly problems off plates, so folks doing good work can better direct their energy towards what they’re truly passionate about.
Grace is honoured to be working alongside the Playful Mindset team to help bring such an important and meaningful project to life.

Grace McCaffrey
Tech Support

Wise Counsel

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Freya Struthers
Director

Freya Struthers currently leads WaterAid Canada’s Philanthropy Department, while proudly supporting its mission of clean water access for everyone, everywhere. Prior to WaterAid, Freya contributed to Canada’s National Arts Centre’s fundraising efforts for 9 years following a career roadmap of serving youth leadership, development through sport, and multiple and diverse NGO’s, while living in and outside of Canada. Freya’s steadfast enthusiasm for community connectiveness and engagement is currently demonstrated in her volunteerism with CityFolk and Bluesfest music festivals through board membership and DEI work. Additionally, Freya supports local arts organizations through fundraising consultancy and mentorship of next gen female leaders within the fundraising sector. For Freya, play involves contemplative spaces in nature, turning her kitchen into a culinary test lab, corralling her free-range children, and making time for darn good live music.

Freya Struthers
Director
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Rusty Keeler
Director

Rusty Keeler is a natural playscape designer who has worked with communities around the world for over 30 years to design and build natural play environments for children and families. Creating a sense of place and playful connections to the natural world are at the heart of Rusty's designs. Described as a cross between Fred Rogers and Jerry Garcia, Rusty is also a frequent keynote speaker and author of multiple books on play and playscapes. He is the co-founder of the social justice initiative called the "Just Play Project" in Ithaca, NY which works to support all children’s right to play. Rusty is the current vice president of the USA chapter of the International Play Association.

Rusty Keeler
Director
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Erin Flynn
Director

Erin Flynn, B.A. Geography concentration in Environmental Studies, B.Ed in Outdoor Ecological & Experiential Education, is a community builder, educator and arts administrator. Her passion for people and the arts have led her on a winding road of discovery. With a long history as Station Manager at CHUO 89.1 FM, Ottawa-Gatineau’s community driven, independent radio station, she has connected deeply with the arts and culture community. Most recently, she has worked with the Ottawa International Writers Festival and Being Art Studio to launch their respective podcast series.
With a background in Environmental Studies and Experiential Learning, Erin is constantly looking for new ways to deepen her knowledge and explore new ways of doing things. Her volunteering experience includes serving as Executive director for Camp Misquah, serving on the Board Of Directors of DARC, Apt613.ca, House of PainT, and currently as a music writer for earSHOT! She is a juror for FACTOR and former with the Polaris Music Prize.

Erin Flynn
Director
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Hannah Renglich
Advisor

Coach ~ Facilitator ~ Consultant
Hannah joyfully works as a facilitator, curriculum developer, consultant, and a coach for community organizers, leaders, and practitioners. Addressing the intersections of personal, social, and systemic approaches to leaving this place better than we found it, Hannah has enjoyed accompanying people in non-profits, public policy institutes, start-ups, global social movements, foundations, and grassroots organizations. With her uniquely gentle ability to engage with difficult questions, behaviours, and patterns around power and privilege, Hannah supports people to discern goals, make plans, and take values-aligned actions in order to achieve lasting change and impact. Her ethic of care underpins Hannah's conviction that kindness, playfulness, and connection are medicines we can all create and share in these times.

hannahrenglich.ca

Hannah Renglich
Advisor