Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ashli Givens. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ashli, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I’ve always been drawn to children, not just caring for them, but really seeing them. As a kid myself, I was the one happily babysitting or playing “school” for hours. It was clear early on that my purpose would involve helping children thrive.
When I discovered speech therapy through a family friend who needed it, it felt like a perfect fit. For over 20 years, I worked in pediatric speech therapy, supporting children’s communication and development. But even then, something deeper kept pulling at me, a passion for child-led play. I saw again and again that when children were given the freedom to lead, they didn’t just develop language. They developed connection, confidence, creativity, and resilience.
Then, everything clicked when a friend (and future co-founder) introduced me to playwork and adventure playgrounds. The philosophy behind playwork, especially the deep respect for children’s autonomy, hit me hard. It wasn’t just a new interest. It was a reawakening. My co-founder and I became obsessed with the idea that our community deserved this: spaces where kids could explore, take risks, get messy, and be completely themselves.
Rooted in Play was born from that realization. It brought together everything I care about: child development, equity, communication, and play. I didn’t stumble into my purpose. I built it piece by piece, through babysitting, through therapy rooms, through muddy parks filled with laughter, and found myself exactly where I’m meant to be.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m the co-founder of Rooted in Play, a nonprofit based in Tampa, Florida, that creates child-led play opportunities through Popup Adventure Playgrounds, inclusive camps, and after-school Play Clubs.
Rooted in Play started as a shared vision between two lifelong friends. Maggie (our CEO) and I met as children, later became college roommates, and eventually ended up as neighbors. Our lives have been intertwined for decades, and so have our values. She was introduced to playwork when she was hired to photograph a play conference that happened to include an adventure playground. What she saw there sparked something in both of us. We started researching playwork, learning everything we could, and eventually knew we had to bring this to our own community, for our children and everyone else’s.
Our popups are the most visible expression of what we do: free public events filled with loose parts, open space, and time to explore. They look a little wild, cardboard, ropes, tires, gutters, but that’s the point. They give children of all abilities the chance to take risks, solve problems, and connect in their own way. And our Playworkers are trained not to direct the play, but to support: observing, documenting, and stepping in only when truly needed.
What makes our work exciting is that we’re shifting not just how kids play, but how adults see them. Families walk away with new insight, new language, and a deeper understanding of their child and the importance of play to their overall growth and development. As demand grows, we’re expanding our reach and developing tools that help others do the same in their own communities.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Flexibility, an open mind, and a willingness to fail, for a start.
Building something from scratch, especially in a space like child-led play that challenges the status quo, means constantly adjusting. What you thought would work might flop. What seemed like a small idea might take off. You have to be able to pivot without losing sight of your values.
An open mind is essential. So much of this journey has been about unlearning, especially when it comes to adult assumptions about children, success, and structure. We’ve had to question our own habits and stay curious instead of certain.
And failure? That’s part of it. There were events where nobody showed up. Materials that fell apart. Ideas that didn’t land. Grant proposals that didn’t get accepted. But every one of those moments taught us something. The key is not letting failure be the end, just part of the process.
If you’re early in your journey, my advice is: stay close to your purpose, stay humble, and stay in motion. Listen more than you talk. Surround yourself with people who believe in what you’re building. And give yourself permission to figure it out as you go.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Right now, our biggest challenge is fundraising, because we don’t come from a fundraising background and, truthfully, we hate asking for money. But donations and sponsorships are key to our success. They allow us to keep our programs free and accessible to all families, and to grow in a sustainable way.
We’ve had to do some unlearning around money. We used to see asking for support as a burden. Now we see it as an invitation to be part of something meaningful. We’ve done the research, talked to people with experience, and pushed ourselves to learn new skills. Most importantly, we’ve worked hard to clearly communicate why this work matters and the impact it has.
It’s not always comfortable, but like in play, the growth happens when you’re willing to take a risk.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rootedinplay.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedinplayorg
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/RootedinPlay
Image Credits
Maggie Willman Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
