The Organization
La Organizacion

I have called Beaver Dam home since 1998. We have raised four children here and know what it is like to have struggled to make ends meet and have community support for things like school supplies and Christmas gifts. When I became the manager of the Habitat ReStore, I became acutely aware of the need in our area of town and count it my privilege to be able to head up the Playground Movement to help our families thrive, and bring together our community in that effort.

Community-minded, growth-oriented.

Though I was born & raised in Milwaukee, Beaver Dam has been home to me and my family for the last 18 years. Since moving here, I have felt a draw to be involved in our community, helping to engage children from all walks of life, and striving to be someone kids can count on to be involved in their lives. My history in BD includes running Lincoln Elementary's after-school program, Adult ELL instructor at MPTC, and 7th grade ELA teacher at BDMS. I am currently working as a children's book author and restaurant server while finding opportunities to volunteer and give back to the community that supported my own children.

Janel DeZarn-Vertz, Board President

Beaver Dam is my “home away from home” as I have worked here, making big cool stuff happen with and in community, since 2019. Changing the conditions to making it easier for people to be healthy and thrive is why I do what I do.Currently I’m a Community Engagement Coordinator with Noble Community Clinics. In my spare time, I teach dance classes at a studio in Lomira and hang out with my dairy-farmer husband and two young daughters.

I like to nurture things; children, pets, houseplants, the garden and relationships. My husband, Andy, and I raised our two bio-children here in Beaver Dam. When we moved here we did not expect to stay more than a couple of years. 30 plus years later, here we are . 

I’m “rewired” from my professional job where I sold print and marketing services. I cultivated relationships with businesses, associations and nonprofits nationally. I’m grateful that despite working for a company located elsewhere I was able to remain closely involved with our community. 

In my early retirement I did some part-time social work including working in a group home for teens in the foster care system and mentoring kids who needed extra attention. It was eye-opening and rewarding work. It led us to a bonus child which also has been an eye-opening and rewarding experience. 

Andy and I’ve been a part of the Food is Free Community Garden for the past three years. I'm looking forward to being a part of Playground Movement’s leadership team and seeing what we can grow together.

Devon Cournoyer, Board Vice President

Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, I moved to Madison in 1995 and to Beaver Dam in 2003. My wife, Sarah, and I raised our two adult daughters in Beaver Dam and both currently work for the City of Beaver Dam. I’ve been working professionally in marketing, communications, project management and freelance art since the 1990’s. I enjoy using my natural talents to help enhance the branding and communications efforts of organizations that work toward building stronger communities. I believe the Playground Movement fits this description.

I am excited to be part of this great organization! I have made Beaver Dam my home and raised my family here. I have worked with the school district as a parent, volunteer and board member so I have seen the needs and/or lack of items and support to help make a child be successful. I hope to be a small part of changing that for our children.

I started volunteering with Playground Movement in 2021 when I was part of the community gardens committee. I volunteered each week watering, harvesting and tending to the gardens. In 2023, Laura Goral offered me the position of the Youth Lead in the Global Youth Service Day Food Drive. Rounding up many businesses, volunteers, and youth, we were able to feed 100 families with 86 pounds of food. It is an honor to be a Board Member for the Playground Movement and I can’t wait to see where PMBD goes in the next couple years!