Washington, D.C. (June 15th, 2026) – Leveling the Playing Field (LPF) is pleased to announce the selection of Denise Blake as the organization’s Executive Director. A respected nonprofit executive with leadership experience spanning education, youth development, public health, philanthropy, and community impact, Blake will lead LPF’s next chapter of growth as the organization expands access to sports and physical activity for young people in under-resourced communities. The Board also extends its gratitude to Interim Executive Director Sean Bailey, who has provided steady leadership and guidance since November during this important transition period.
“Leveling the Playing Field has built an extraordinary model that removes barriers to participation in sports and creates opportunities for young people to thrive,” said Tracy Scarrow, Chair of the LPF Board of Directors. “We are deeply grateful to Sean Bailey for his leadership over the past several months and for helping position the organization for continued success. Denise’s track record of leading mission-driven organizations, building strong teams, and advancing equity-centered initiatives makes her exceptionally well-positioned to guide LPF through its next phase of national growth and impact.”
Prior to joining LPF, Blake served as Chief Impact Officer at Reading Partners, where she helped advance literacy outcomes for elementary school students nationwide. Her career also includes executive and senior leadership roles with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the United Negro College Fund, WINGS for Kids–Atlanta, The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Making Connections Media Outreach Initiative, and numerous organizations dedicated to educational opportunity and community advancement.
Earlier in her career, Blake managed scholarship, internship, and fellowship programs at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and held leadership roles supporting youth development, foster care initiatives, and faith-based education programs.
“I am honored to join Leveling the Playing Field at such an exciting moment in its evolution,” said Blake. “LPF’s commitment to ensuring that every young person has access to the benefits of sports aligns deeply with my lifelong dedication to equity and opportunity. I look forward to working alongside the Board, staff, partners, and supporters to expand LPF’s impact in communities across the country.”
Blake advanced through an extensive national search led in partnership with Good Insight, an award-winning, Washington, DC-based executive search firm with an exclusive focus on nonprofits, associations, and foundations. She begins her new role on June 15.
For more information about Denise, including additional biography information, please visit her profile at LPFSports.org. In addition, Denise can be reached via email at denise@levelingtheplayingfield.org
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About Leveling the Playing Field: Leveling the Playing Field is a non-profit organization which collects and re-distributes sports equipment to kids in under-resourced communities. The organization currently operates in seven cities: Greater Washington D.C., Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA, Buffalo, NY, Columbus, OH, Detroit, MI, and Atlanta, GA. Leveling the Playing Field has donated over $20 million in sports equipment to schools, youth teams and leagues, and other non-profit organizations since 2013.
