Rob Carr
Founder & Executive Director
Rob Carr resides in Saranac Lake, NY and has close to 20 years of experience in writing, design and planning including: exhibit planning & design, graphic design, program management, facilitation, master site planning, interpretive programming, evaluation, interpretive writing, interpretive programming, grant writing, visitor services management and training. He started Darwin Design in 2015, and now works full-time as a freelance interpretive specialist and designer. His clients include Vail Resorts, The Wild Center, The Adirondack Foundation, St. Lawrence College and many others. Rob’s design and development projects range from ad design and branding to $25 million capital exhibit projects.
Prior to this, Rob worked as the Exhibits and Interpretive Programs Manager at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, NY, and before that, directed the on-site education at the International Crane Foundation’s world headquarters in Baraboo, WI. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts from Susquehanna University and a master’s degree in Environmental Interpretation from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Rob is also a Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG), Trainer (CIT) and Host Trainer (CIHT) through the National Association for Interpretation.
Kaet O’Brien
Director of Operations
Kaet has spent the past several years working in communications with expertise in social media management, email marketing, photography, videography, graphic design, and website development. She is the owner of a communications and marketing company, Indy Wild Productions. With a strong background in communications, marketing, and project management, Kaet manages Play ADK’s day-to-day operations and oversees the execution of strategic initiatives.
Outside of her professional work, Kaet spends summers in Saranac Lake with her partner and two dogs and heads south to New Orleans in the winter months. She enjoys all the Adirondack activities like paddling and hiking, but also loves staying home to garden or binge cozy British mysteries.
Katherine E. Norman
Clubhouse & Program Manager
Katherine is an educator, researcher, and theatre-maker dedicated to building joyful, play-based learning spaces for all! From her home in Lake Placid, Katherine supports playful learning projects both locally and nationally.
She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology with a focus in early childhood neuro-cognitive development and works as a researcher with a University of Wisconsin-Madison education lab. The lab focuses on playful learning, climate education through the Caretakers of Wonder network, and research and evaluation with children’s museums. In addition to education research, Katherine gets to work across the country as a freelance theatre artist and educator. A few favorite credits include Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (Education Director), Interlochen Center for the Arts (Director, Faculty, Playwright), Door Shakespeare (Actor, Education Director), Whoopensocker (Actor, Teaching Artist), and more.
Locally, Katherine is excited to collaborate with Pendragon Theatre (Education Coordinator), Little Peaks Preschool and Early Childhood Center (Education Support Specialist), the Upper Jay Art Center (Actor) and here with PlayADK! KatherineENorman.com
Caro Worley
Clubhouse Steward
Caro is an Artist and Educator happy to call Saranac Lake home. She grew up in a small town outside of Washington DC, daydreaming of the Adirondacks. She has had a passion and talent for working with young children since she was child.
Caro began to study Early Childhood Education and Development during high school by taking college level courses. She then went to Guilford College in Greensboro, NC to continue her studies. It was over a year before a new passion took over – art. Once her hands touched clay, she was home. She majored in Art with a focus in Ceramics. She experimented with Wild Clay and Woodfiring techniques, creating both functional and sculptural ceramics.
She moved to the Adirondacks in 2021, and has felt so welcomed by the community. She taught at Northern Lights School in their Infant-Toddler room for two years, fully immersed in the Waldorf experience.
Caro is excited to continue being part of the early childhood community in this role with Play ADK. She hopes to spread joy, inspire play, and facilitate community during the Infant Toddler Play Groups.
Deb Roddy
Board Chair
Deborah (Deb) Roddy has lived in the Saranac Lake area for most of her adult life, after coming to the Adirondacks for vacations and summers as a child and attending college at St. Lawrence University. She has raised 3 children here and, during that time, was a stay-at-home mother for 9 years and struggled somewhat to find play groups for socializing and winter-time activities when cabin fever set in. This project speaks to her both personally and professionally. She is a certified special education teacher and has worked with children of all ages who had various disabilities, but primarily with those in Early Intervention and preschool programs.
For the past 10 years, she had been the director of the Adirondack Arc’s Children’s Corner Program, having obtained her education administrator certification in 2009. She has also served on the board of the Child Care Coordinating Council of the North Country for many years. Recently retired, she comes to this board firmly committed to the importance of play for children as well as knowledge of developmentally appropriate and inclusive activities. She has worked closely with many families with young children, running a playgroup for several years, and recognizes the challenges that living in our rural community can bring.
She does love all the opportunities to recreate in the area’s forests and lakes, however, and she and her husband enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, and cross-country skiing.
Chris Moore
Vice-chair
Chris grew up is Saranac Lake and has spent 18 years working in the trades and related fields — the last 10 years in Facilities Management at Paul Smith’s College and currently, Camp Treetops at North Country School. Chris has a BS from Cortland State University in Communication Studies. He lives in Gabriels with his wife, Carina, and their sons, Ziggy and Tahj. In his free time he enjoys skiing, fishing, mountain biking and reading.
Patrick Murphy
Treasurer
Patrick has more than a decade of experience in nonprofit management, government administration, and community development. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Harrietstown Housing Authority and CEO of the Adirondack Housing Development Corporation, where he oversees affordable housing programs and initiatives serving the local community.
Patrick previously served as Executive Director of the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and as Treasurer for the Village of Saranac Lake. In 2021, Patrick launched his own management consulting firm, Murphy Minded, through which he has provided strategic planning, organizational development, and management services to nonprofit and public-sector organizations.
Patrick remains active in his community, volunteering as a firefighter with the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department. He lives in Saranac Lake with his wife, Elisa.
Stacy Sadove
Secretary
Stacy is a founding Partner of Fitzgerald & Sadove PLLC. She works with families of children with special needs advocating for students to obtain an appropriate public education and necessary related services as well as assist families with specialized estate planning. She received her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and her B.A. from Hamilton College.
Stacy resides with her husband and three children in Westchester, New York. They spend their summers and many weekends in Saranac Lake, NY where they enjoy playing on the lake and engaging in all types of outdoor activities.
Stacy is an active supporter of the Adirondack Carousel, Adirondack Foundation, and The Wild Center.
Stanzi Bliss
Trustee
Stanzi Bliss is Director of Communications & Marketing at North Country School & Camp Treetops in Lake Placid and has spent more than 15 years helping mission-driven organizations bring their work to life through storytelling and strategic communications. Her career has included roles with Adirondack Community Foundation, The Wild Center, and Workshop (formerly Adworkshop), supporting initiatives across philanthropy, tourism, education, and community engagement.
Stanzi believes deeply in the need for places where Adirondack families can gather, connect, and play, and looks forward to helping build awareness and support for PlayADK across the broader Adirondack community.
She lives in Lake Placid with her husband and two young sons and spends as much time as possible outdoors—hiking, skiing, and rediscovering the joy of play through the eyes of her kids.
Katelyn LaPlante
Trustee
Katelyn LaPlante is a Territory Sales Representative with deep roots in the North Country and a passion for building strong, healthy communities. Her professional work includes partnerships with regional organizations, where she collaborates to improve access and outcomes across rural areas.
Katelyn’s connection to Play ADK is both professional and personal. As a mother of two and a former daycare provider, she vividly remembers the first time she brought her kids to a childrens musmem. Watching their eyes light up as they explored, built, and created in a space designed just for them. That moment inspired her to get involved and help ensure that all families in the Adirondacks have access to enriching, imaginative play experiences.
Katelyn brings energy, empathy, and strategic insight to everything she does. She is honored to serve on the board of Play ADK and contribute to its vision of a vibrant, inclusive space where children and families can learn, grow, and thrive.
Jennifer Tissot
Trustee
Jennifer (Jen) Tissot has lived in Saranac Lake since 1989. She was a Clinical Social Worker LCSW-R in the area for 30 years, 26 of which she worked in the Saranac Lake School district as a School Social Worker, until her retirement in 2019.
She and her husband, Chris, raised their two children in Saranac Lake and often dreamed of establishing a children’s museum in the area. They visited countless museums all over the country and gathered invaluable knowledge along the way.
Anne Williams
Trustee
Anne Martin Williams has deep expertise in policy, strategy, and communications outreach on K-12 education issues. Anne was the Executive Director of Teacher Leadership at the NYC DOE where she worked on large scale human capital programs for 10 years, including negotiating the Teacher Career Pathways Program with the UFT and was lead on establishing and running the Big Apple Awards Program. She taught in both public and charter schools and is a proud parent to a 3rd and 5th grader.
Anne is an active community member and is deeply passionate about Saranac Lake. She currently lives in Montclair, New Jersey and spends her summers and many winter weekends enjoying skiing, boating, hiking, biking, and all things in nature in Saranac Lake.