Creative storytelling that moves

Lindsay Barnett founded Playground after she spent close to a decade teaching second grade in a Chicago Public School in addition to manufacturing educational products. She gained national attention, as a semi-finalist on Live with Kelly and Ryan’s Top Teacher Search. Now, she has curated a slate of IP in the children’s space and collaborates directly with authors and writers to ensure that Playground’s content will make families proud and kids love learning. Barnett received her Bachelor of Science in Communications: Radio, Television, and Film as well as an Interactive Arts and Entertainment Module from Northwestern University. She then earned her Master of Science in Education in Elementary Teaching at Northwestern.

With twenty years of experience as a creative producer in development, production, marketing and distribution of animation, Waters brings a deep network of relationships and expertise to Playground. He has developed and produced content for companies including Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Netflix, and DreamWorks Animation. Waters formerly was the Head of Development of Stoopid Buddy Stoodios (Robot Chicken, Blark and Son, MODOK, Alabama Jackson) and the co-founder & EVP of Development of Oktober Animation (Emmy-winning series The Penguins of Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Robot and Monster). Waters has dedicated his career to creating best-in-class 2D & 3D animation, stop-motion, and puppetry for children and adults.

Zack Oliver is a seasoned operations leader and former finance professional with a unique blend of startup, investment, and institutional experience. As Director of Operations at Playground Productions, he drives cross-functional execution across product, finance, and strategic operations. Previously, Zack co-founded Matchpoint Connection, a collegiate NIL marketplace, and has served as an investor and advisor to startups across CPG, AI, consumer tech, hospitality, and sports tech. His finance background includes roles as Associate Vice President on Citigroup’s Merger Arbitrage trading desk and as a Market Associate at J.P. Morgan Securities. Zack received his Bachelor of Science in Communications with a minor in Business Institutions. He then earned a Master of Science in Management Studies from the Kellogg School of Management. Zack was also a Quarterback on Northwestern’s Varsity Football Team.

Edward “Teddy” McDonald joins Playground as a filmmaker and writer. McDonald specializes in telling stories across genres from his comedy feature, DRINKWATER, starring Eric McCormack, to film adaptations of the award-winning WWII biography Road to Valor and acclaimed memoir The White House Boys. He excels in creating content in a range of character voices for all ages. At Playground, McDonald writes and creates uplifting children’s and family digital content as well as produces dynamic social media for the company’s exciting lineup of projects.