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 9,000 participants a year through our Opportunity, Courage, H.E.R.S., licensing and other community programs.
Our Team
The Can Play team is comprised of passionate professionals with expertise in adaptive sports programming, no-cost 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 no-cost and adapted sports and recreational activities.
Our Board
BOARD OFFICERS
Lisa Grefe | Chairperson
Wealth Advisor & Trust Officer, First Community Trust
Jay Syverson | Vice Chair
Attorney, Nyemaster Goode P.C.
Benjamin Butzke | Past Chairperson
Co-President, Butzke Burch Construction
John Leder | Treasurer
Client Executive, Holmes Murphy
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marcy Baker
Vice President, Risk & ALM | Sammons® Financial Group
Jennifer Ellis
Regional Marketing Director, UnityPoint Health
Jami Haberl
Executive Director, Iowa Healthiest State Initiative
Leah Lint
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager, Krause Group
ADVISORY BOARD
Conor Boffeli
Bral Neidert Advisors
Shaun Boyle
Wells Fargo
Alex Broderick
Ryan Companies
Jason Ferguson
Athene USA
Coleby Hanisch
Juniper Networks
David Merriman
Software Engineer, Principal Financial Group
Ryan Quick
Principal Financial Group
Jake Shandri
SportsPlex West
Maryna Rath
Wright Service Corp.
Naval Tandon
Casey’s