About Us
Meet the Team - Founder’s Bio
AMY JAFFE BARZACH
Founder/Chief Inspiration Officer
Boundless Playgrounds®
Amy Jaffe Barzach knows both tragedy and triumph. When faced with the death of her son Jonathan, she found a way to channel her grief into a living memorial. Inspired by a little girl in a wheelchair who was unable to join the other children on a playground, Barzach decided to build a place where everyone could play. She marshaled an army of volunteers to create one of the first universally accessible playgrounds in the country, Jonathan’s Dream. She is now founder/chief inspiration officer of Boundless Playgrounds. Founded in 1997, the organization is the first national nonprofit dedicated to helping communities create extraordinary playgrounds where children, with and without disabilities, can develop essential skills for life as they learn together through play. There are now more than 100 Boundless™ playgrounds in over 20 states and Canada with dozens more in development throughout the U.S.
Barzach's dedication to Boundless Playgrounds has been recognized both within her home state of Connecticut and nationally. In 2005, she received a Local Hero Award from Bank of America as part of its Neighborhood Excellence Initiative. In 2004 she was recognized with the Woman of Character Award honoring valiant and courageous women, sponsored by The Hartford Courant and Hoffman Auto Group. In 2003, she was honored with the Woman’s Day magazine award celebrating women whose contributions help better life in America. In 2002, she was elected an Ashoka Fellow. Ashoka: Innovators for the Public is a global organization that identifies and invests in social entrepreneurs – extraordinary individuals with unprecedented ideas for change in their communities.
In 2000, Barzach received a "Women at Their Best Award" from Saturn Corporation and Glamour magazine, which recognized three women judged to be dedicated individuals in their community, career and personal accomplishments, as well as being an inspiration to others. In 1999 she received the "Parenting Leaders" Award from Parenting magazine as one of eight outstanding Americans who have made a difference in children's lives. In 1997, the National Recreation & Park Association honored Barzach with the ROSE Award for "outstanding efforts in advancing parks and recreation."
Barzach is the co-author of Accidental Courage, Boundless Dreams (Aurora Publishing, 2001), a book about the inspiration and growth of Boundless Playgrounds.
Barzach has a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Albany. She completed an MBA with a concentration in marketing in 1988 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). Prior to establishing Boundless Playgrounds, she was vice president of marketing for The Hutensky Group (formerly Bronson & Hutensky), where she implemented community relations programs and orchestrated trade shows and special events. Previously she served as marketing manager for the Rouse Company. Her community relations expertise, combined with her experience mobilizing and managing an army of volunteers in the creation of Jonathan’s Dream, the inspiration for Boundless Playgrounds, make her both a valuable resource and an inspired leader.
Barzach resides in West Hartford, Connecticut, with her husband, Peter, and their three children, Daniel, Alyssa and Michael. Her son Jonathan would have been thirteen on April 1, 2007.
An Inspiring Speaker for Your Audience
Is your organization looking for a captivating, inspiring speaker? Amy Jaffe Barzach is available to speak on topics including “Everyone Can Make a Difference ” and “Finding Your Passion.” Please contact us about speaking opportunities/requests.
