Leadership and Play: It’s Serious Business by Kimberlee Burt Hendricks

Leadership isn’t positional—it’s relational. Whether you’re a president, owner, principal, director, teacher, counselor, parent, or the person responsible for making sure lunch arrives on time—if you work with people, and especially with children, you lead. Leadership is not defined by a title; it’s expressed through presence, listening, and creating space for others to thrive.

In this session, Kimberlee Burt Hendricks, The Play and Learn Leader at A Child’s Space 2, will guide participants through an exploration of how play is not just for children, it’s a vital practice that nurtures creativity, connection, and emotional well-being for adults as well. Through stories, research, and reflective experiences, Kimberlee will illuminate how neuroscience and well-established leadership models reveal that play is not a distraction from leadership, but a catalyst for it.

As early learning environments continue to evolve, embracing play, both personally and professionally, has never been more important. Participants will engage in reflective discussions and playful moments that highlight how curiosity, imagination, and laughter strengthen leadership at every level.

Because when we understand the power of play, we lead and live with greater joy, empathy, and purpose.

Learning Objectives

After this session, participants will be able to:

• Explain how neuroscience supports the role of play in fostering creativity, focus, and well-being for both children and adults.

• Identify leadership models—including servant, whole, transformational, and psychological safety frameworks—that align with playful, human-centered practice.

• Reflect on strategies for integrating play into everyday professional interactions to enhance connection and trust.