Rashaan Davis Attends Games for Change Festival with Work2BeWell

AURORA – Rashaan Davis, an assistant commissioner with the Colorado High School Activities Association, joined Work2BeWell Educational Consultant Heather Ransom at the 2025 Games for Change Festival this past Thursday and Friday in New York City at the Parson School of Design.

Drawing inspiration from purposeful design and innovation, the theme of the Festival was “Designing for Tomorrow”, and it brought together diverse voices from industry veterans to next-generation innovators to explore how games and XR can break down barriers between generations, perspectives and sectors. The two days showcased how collaborative design and play can transform entertainment into measurable impact across critical areas like education, health sustainability and more.

“The Games for Change Festival can be summed up in four words: Innovation Meets Creative Expression,” Davis explained. “From the presenters to the attendees, every aspect of the conference was centered on connection—linking visionary creators with the educators, advocates, and leaders who will help carry their content forward. It was inspiring to be part of a space where ideas don’t just live—they grow, collaborate, and move into action.”

Throughout the two days, attendees participated in two Topic Tables, which featured small-group discussions with subject matter experts on topics such as Gaming Across Generations, Game Development Pathways to STEM Futures, North/South Impact Game Partnerships, The Next Evolution of Inclusion, Nurturing Healthy Environments and more.

“One of the most impactful moments at the Games for Change Festival was learning about a game design that integrates mindfulness—adding a brief meditation between rounds,” Davis said. “Remarkably, 91% of gamers worldwide took an average of eight minutes to simply breathe, relax, and reconnect with a sense of awareness. It’s a powerful reminder that intentional design can support both mental wellness and meaningful gameplay.”

The collaboration and joint event attendance between Work2BeWell and CHSAA was geared towards enhancing mental wellness resources for esports participants, an activity that Davis oversees for CHSAA. Work2BeWell, a CHSAA partner, already brings valuable resources to the table throughout the state, including mental health and wellness content creators, teen focus groups and professional mental health clinicians.

“Attending the 2025 Games for Change Festival was a meaningful experience, made even more impactful by the opportunity to join Heather Ransom, Director of Curriculum Development at Work2BeWell,” Davis stated. “I’m incredibly grateful for Heather’s leadership and for the chance to share our work with such an engaged and thoughtful community. I’m excited about what’s ahead as we collaborate with Heather and the Work2BeWell team to build wellness curriculum and resources for Colorado’s esports coaches and student participants. I also want to extend my sincere thanks to Sara Nilles-Freauf, Work2BeWell’s Co-Founder and Educational Leadership Development Consultant. Sara’s behind-the-scenes work and thoughtful conversations have deeply shaped my vision of what’s possible. Her insights continue to challenge and inspire me, as we explore new ways to support student wellness through our association.”

In the upcoming year, CHSAA will serve as a pilot state for the implementation of Work2BeWell’s resources within its esports program.