#1 Play Desert Expert

NonProfit Entrepreneur | Consultant | Speaker | Author

Debbie Frisch is the founder of HelloBaby, the nation’s first free-standing, free-of-charge drop-in play space for babies, toddlers and their caregivers. HelloBaby opened in 2017 and is located on Chicago’s South Side. 

Prior to opening HelloBaby, Debbie was actively involved with many not-for-profit organizations that serve families and children in underserved communities. She has a B.A. from the University of Michigan and a M.A. from the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University, Chicago. 

In her debut as an author, Debbie’s first book, Hello Baby: Building an Oasis in a Play Desert, tells the story of how play deserts impact children and families. Debbie joined author Isaac Stone Simonelli to tell the story of HelloBaby and her mission to create safe play spaces for babies and toddlers in Chicago. 

In 2022, Debbie was awarded the Champion for Children Award from the Bright Promises Foundation. She has served as Board President for Adoption Center of Illinois, Chicago Lights, and Geography of Hope. She has also been a Deacon and Elder at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago. She was a foster care mother for Adoption Center of Illinois and a respite care provider for Safe Families for Children. Through these two organizations she has fostered 56 babies and toddlers in her care. 

Debbie is also a mother, thought leader, spiritual director, volunteer, community activist, and philanthropist. She lives in Chicago, where she enjoys long lake front walks with her dog, Teddy.