Changemaker Profile: Dani Ackerman

Dani Ackerman is the founder of ProjectPLAY. She created this program to provide children with opportunities to build connections through meaningful social play. In addition, she is a consultant to children's camps on the topics of staff recruitment, development and program enhancement. She was previously a teacher at the Windward School, the year-round staffing director at Woodmont Day Camp and for seven years the Associate Director of Elmwood Day Camp.

Dani holds a Master's Degree in Education from Mercy College and a Bachelor's in Psychology from Union College. Dani has extensive experience in training and coaching youth development professionals on a range of topics, including group management, staff development and building meaningful relationships with children. She has presented at the Tri-State Camp Conference, Teen Leadership Conference and at camps and schools. As an active volunteer with the American Camp Association, she serves on committees to organize, design and implement professional conferences geared toward camp leaders, educators and youth-serving organizations.