About

Where play has no limits.

Our Mission

Can Play brings adapted and no cost recreational programs to our communities by removing barriers to play.

Our Focus

Inclusion: We ensure that everyone has access to play.
Community: We bring people and communities together to play as one.
Play: We use sports and recreation programs to inspire and empower people to achieve their goals on and off the field.

Can Play provides access to sports and recreation programming for thousands of underserved youth in central Iowa with financial, physical, cognitive, emotional, or chronic health care barriers to play. Our mission empowers us to decrease the participation gap in sports and recreation that affects underprivileged youth not just physically, but also on a social, mental and developmental level. We serve approximately 15,000 participants a year through our Opportunity, Courage, H.E.R.S., licensing and other community programs.

Leadership

Melissa Clarke-Wharff

Co-Founder

melissa@can-play.org

Dylan DeClerck

Co-Founder

dylan@can-play.org

As a high school student, Dylan created a baseball league called Opportunity on Deck, which allowed elementary-aged kids in low-socioeconomic areas to participate in a free sports experience. In the years since he has developed a variety of sports-based youth development programs and grown the organization to serve thousands of at-risk youth without ever charging a single participant. In his time outside of work, Dylan enjoys playing professional ultimate frisbee for the Minnesota Wind Chill, providing advice to other non-profit founders and volunteering in the community. Dylan is a strong believer in the importance of life-long learning and has received his MBA from the University of Iowa.

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The Can Play team is comprised of passionate professionals with expertise in adaptive sports programming and community engagement. Our diverse backgrounds and shared commitment to inclusivity enable us to develop and deliver high-quality programs that make a real difference. We work tirelessly to ensure that every participant has the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from our adapted recreational activities.

Our Team

Amy Tagliareni

Opportunity Organizational Director

amy@can-play.org

Amy has worked in the non-profit space for eight years, including three years with Opportunity on Deck. She holds a BS in public relations from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and a MS in Sport Administration from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She is a member of the Ankeny Kiwanis and serves on the Ankeny Community School District Board of Education. Amy and her husband, John, have called Ankeny home for 14 years. They have one daughter, Erica, who attends Ankeny High School. A Wisconsin native, Amy enjoys spending time with family and friends and is an avid Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers fan.

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Amanda Oleson

Licensing and Curriculum Manager

amanda@can-play.org

Amanda serves as the Licensing and Curriculum Manager at Can Play, specializing in the development of adapted recreational sports and programming for children and adults. With 25 years of educational experience, Amanda is passionate about helping others and making a positive impact on her community. When Amanda isn’t at work, you’ll catch her outdoors hiking or spending quality time with her family. For inquiries on promoting adapted recreational sports and programming in your community, feel free to reach out to her.

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Ryan McCall

Opportunity Program Manager

ryanmccall@can-play.org

Ryan has recently moved to the DSM area with her husband, Zach and cat, Maverick! She is coming to us from Illinois, where she has been a high school teacher for the past three years. Ryan graduated from Iowa State University in 2019. She loves all things sports and is excited to share her passion of healthy competition with kids around the area. Outside of Can Play, Ryan is a major movie and TV buff, loves spending time with family and friends, and enjoys cheering on the Cubs, Cyclones, and the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Feleecia Watkins

Adapted Program Manager

feleecia@can-play.org

Feleecia is a dedicated mom, passionate animal lover, and nonprofit leader with nearly 20 years of experience in youth development. With a Masters in Curriculum and Instructional Leadership and a background in Graphic Design, she is committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of others through meaningful connections, compassion, and creativity. Beyond her professional role, she extends her impact through volunteer work with Girls on the Run of Central Iowa and serves as a youth mentor for YSS. In her free time she enjoys cheering on her son, Graysen, bike riding, supporting the arts, and spending time with her chihuahua Izzy.

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Our Board

BOARD OFFICERS

Benjamin Butzke | Chairperson

Co-President, Butzke Burch Construction

Lisa Grefe | Vice Chairperson

Wealth Advisor, Northwest Wealth Management

Jay Syverson | Treasurer

Attorney, Nyemaster Goode P.C.

David Merriman | Past Chairperson

Software Engineer, Principal Financial Group

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Audrey Kennis

Director of Equity and Inclusion, City of West Des Moines

Cynthia Boyle Lande

Attorney, BrownWinick Law Firm

Jami Haberl

Executive Director, Iowa Healthiest State Initiative

Jennifer Ellis

Regional Marketing Director, UnityPoint Health

John Leder

Client Executive, Holmes Murphy

Leah Lint

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager, Krause Group

Sarah Curran McCarville

Energy Efficiency Manager, MidAmerican Energy Company

ADVISORY BOARD

Alex Broderick

Ryan Companies

Ben Chambers

Middendorf Insurance

Ben Teeling

Prudential

Coleby Hanisch

Juniper Networks

Conor Boffeli

Bral Neidert Advisors

Jake Shandri

SportsPlex West

Jason Ferguson

Athene USA

Joel Hull

Innovative Captive Strategies

Joey Spivey

Wellabe

Maryna Rath

Wright Service Corp.