Lyla Ross, Founder and Executive Director

Lyla Ross, LICSW, is a seattle-based clinical social worker with an emphasis in children, youth, and families. Much of her therapeutic work has been dedicated to youth in the juvenile justice system, as well as family systems work in private practice. In 2012, she had the opportunity to combine her social systems work within her family’s businesses (Card Kingdom and Mox Boarding House) by founding their corporate giving program- Engage. This program emphasized a mindful approach to community-building by listening to their patrons and employees about where to give back. Through their marquee event, The Gauntlet, (an annual board game charity tournament), and other philanthropic initiatives, Engage raised over 1 Million in funds for nonprofit organizations locally and nationally.

Today, Engage has evolved from its roots as Card Kingdom's corporate giving arm into a standalone 501(c)(3) powerhouse, Gamers Engaged. Gamers Engaged became an independent nonprofit organization in 2021. Lyla is the Founder and Executive Director of Gamers Engaged and she is thrilled to deepen cross-sector relationships between the Games Industry and Education, Therapeutic Gaming, Game Design, Workforce Development and Philanthropy. Collective Impact across these sectors is where Gamers Engaged aims to make a difference in our backyard, and beyond.