At Girls on the Run-Chicago, we know that play is a critical component of learning and exploration for the girls we serve. However, the importance of play doesn’t disappear when we hit adulthood. It is important for our learning, relationships, and culture at work; especially as we continue to heal from the disruption and trauma of these COVID-times. 

Join us for an evening that will include networking, an interactive exercise with Second City’s Kelly Leonard, and a panel discussion that will delve into the power of play, why it is important for our mental health, and how to bring it into all aspects of our lives. Are you ready to play?

6:00 PM - Welcome and interactive exercise with Second City's Kelly Leonard

6:20 PM - Panel discussion and Q&A

7:00 pm - Networking and refreshments

Heavy appetizers and drinks will be served. 

Masks will be required during the panel portion of the event. 

Speakers

Pharlone Toussaint - Director of External Affairs at The Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport

Pharlone Charity Toussaint has more than 15 years of experience as an activist in using sports as a catalyst for social change. She has worked in community relations for several professional sports teams and in 2016 started her own consulting agency, working with athletes and brands on using their proximity to power and capital to make a deeper and more sustainable impact. 

She has been a coalition builder, previously at Laureus Sport For Good Foundation USA overseeing “Sport for Good Atlanta”; their place-based initiative created to strengthen Atlanta communities through the power of sport. 

Pharlone has served on leadership councils of national and citywide initiatives tackling major challenges impacting sports-based youth development organizations and the youth that they exist to serve, and as the Director Of External Affairs at The Center, she hopes to help prove the power of sport and physical activity to heal communities plagued by the traumas of systemic oppression.

Michelle Lee, Managing Director at IDEO Play Lab

As Managing Director of IDEO's Play Lab, Michelle Lee leads an integrated research, design, and development team bringing engaging, interactive, and playful experiences to market. Her Design for Play team leverages the principles of play to connect with people at a deeper emotional level that captivates, delights, and empowers. 

Beyond specializing in toys and kids, Michelle is passionate about using play to address difficult challenges and create meaningful change across industries, including destigmatizing mental health, inspiring underrepresented students to pursue careers in STEM, and supporting organizations in adopting practices in line with a circular economy.

Immersed in a globally recognized human-centered design firm, Michelle's IDEO tenure includes research and product design roles. Before IDEO, designing toys at VTech and University Games fueled her passion for play, while lead product roles at thredUP and ShopWell ignited her spirit of entrepreneurship. She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MS in the Joint Program for Design from Stanford University, where she's also served as an instructor.

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning and Applied Improvisation at Second City

Kelly Leonard began his Second City career in 1988, eventually becoming producer of Second City in 1992 and Executive Vice President through 2015. He has produced hundreds of original revues with talent such as Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Keegan Michael Key, Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler. 

His book, "Yes, And," received rave reviews in Vanity Fair and the Washington Post. He co-leads a new partnership with Booth School at the University of Chicago that studies behavioral science through the lens of improvisation. He is a popular speaker, appearing at Aspen Ideas Festival, Chicago Ideas Week and TEDxBroadway and hosts the Second City Works/WGN Podcast "Getting to Yes, And."