Speaker

Jen De Melo is the Director of Programs and Operations at KaBOOM! and has been committed to prioritizing play and serving the kids who need it most since 2005. KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to ensuring that all kids get a childhood filled with the balanced and active play needed to thrive. Jen has worked on over 150 playground projects across North America and Mexico and oversees the Play Everywhere Program, Build it Yourself Grant Program, and other Special Programs at KaBOOM!. In her current role, Jen works with innovative and inclusive playspace designs and leads efforts to integrate these into cities and communities around the country. Additionally, Jen and her team work directly with communities and designers on developing innovative play ideas such as Play Everywhere, which brings play to everyday, unexpected places, including bus stops, sidewalks, grocery stores, and laundromats.   Jen has a laser focus on equity, infrastructure and community and is focused on using play as a driving catalyst. Prior to joining KaBOOM!, Jen worked at the Boys and Girls Club in her hometown of Redwood City, CA after graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara where she obtained a degree in Cultural Anthropology.