About Jill

Jill Vialet is a celebrated social entrepreneur who believes that play is essential for every child’s success. A graduate of Harvard University, she has dedicated over 30 years to founding successful nonprofit organizations. In 1996, Jill launched Playworks (originally Sports4Kids) in just two elementary schools in Berkeley, California. The program works to make school playgrounds and recess safer, more organized, and fully inclusive. By fostering a positive environment where every child is encouraged to play, Playworks supports improved classroom behavior and better academic focus. The organization has since grown dramatically, with a staff of over 700 and a presence in over 20 U.S. cities, now reaching approximately 900,000 students annually through direct coaching and training services. Jill’s commitment to social impact is long-standing; before Playworks, she co-founded the Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA) in Oakland, California, which expanded to serve thousands of young people each year. As an author, Jill has written the middle-grade novel Recess Rules, inspired by her work, and the book Why Play Works: Big Change Starts Small. She also co-founded Substantial, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the substitute teaching experience. Having earned numerous honors, including being named one of Forbes’ Top 30 Social Entrepreneurs and an Ashoka Fellow, Vialet is now focused on senior advising, consulting, and teaching at institutions like UC Berkeley and Stanford, continuing to champion the power of play and innovation.