Leadership Team
We are an all-volunteer team of parents whose concern for our own kids grew into advocacy for children everywhere. Each of us leads grassroots advocacy in our own community, spanning 6 states and Washington DC. We’re right there alongside our members – making school board speeches, writing letters, having hard conversations and hosting events that bring parents and community members together.
Kim Whitman
Founder + Co-LeadKim began her advocacy journey in 2018 when she co-founded a local grassroots organization focused on healthy boundaries around the use of edtech in her children’s 1:1 school district. She later became a member of Fairplay’s Screen Time Action Network and co-chaired the Screens in Schools Work Group for two years. Kim is one of the original co-founders of the Phone-Free Schools Movement and she serves on the Advisory Board for Wait Until 8th. She continues to use her voice to amplify the research and science regarding the negative impacts of big tech on today’s youth. Kim resides in Overland Park, Kansas with her husband and two teenagers.
Emily Boddy
Founder + Co-LeadEmily holds a degree in Public Policy and spent years working in the judicial system and the nonprofit sector, focused on youth wellbeing and engagement. Emily is on the Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project MA state team and co-founded the local action alliance in her region, ReConnect Western MA. In addition to her advocacy, she is a Board Trustee for her children’s Charter Public School, coaches girls’ youth soccer and sings in a local choir. Emily lives in Northampton, MA with her husband, two children and part-time dog.
Jennifer Henderson
Founder + OperationsJennifer became increasingly concerned about technology use – including her own – when her daughter was very young. Jennifer excels at building connections and fostering collaboration to strengthen this growing movement. She helped bring the Smartphone Free Childhood UK campaign to the U.S. alongside other concerned parents. She’s active in the MA Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project work and serves as Vice President of Turning Life On. Locally, Jennifer is the founder of Reconnect Nashoba Valley in Massachusetts.
Jeff Miller
Founder + FinanceJeff Miller lives in Arlington, MA with his wife, two elementary-aged kids, and two dogs. He advocated in his community for phone-free initiatives before joining the national effort through Smartphone Free Childhood U.S. He works in a strategy and finance role professionally and has served on 10 corporate boards. In addition, he serves on multiple nonprofit boards including Arlington Libraries Foundation and the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard and M.I.T.
Laura Derrendinger
Founder + Public Health ExpertSince 2018 Laura has used her background as a public health nurse to advocate for independent – research informed policy and practice with the Screentime Action Network. Laura supports aligned organizations such as ScreenStrong, LetGrow, Simplicity Parenting, and the French organization, Collectif Surexposition écrans and the Distraction Free Schools Policy Project which supports state and federal legislation efforts to put upstream prevention policies tools in place. Prior to motherhood, Laura worked overseas in conflict zones with the independent organization, Doctors Without Borders. Residing in rural Vermont Laura and her husband have 4 children.
Keena McAvoy
Communications + Child Development ExpertAs a parent, former teacher and school physical therapist, Keena has long held concerns regarding the impact of the technology industry’s incentives and persuasive design strategies on the development and health of her students and 3 children. In 2023, Keena began to focus solely on these issues as a local advocate, a member of Fairplay’s Screens in Schools Workgroup, an ambassador for the Phone Free Schools Movement, and as a certified digital wellness educator. In 2024, Keena co-founded a local non-profit, DMV Unplugged (DC, Maryland and Virginia). Keena lives in Fairfax Station, VA with her husband; always looking forward to the next visits with their daughter, son in law and two sons.
Kathleen Barlow
Founder + Community OutreachKathleen Barlow is the mother of 6 kids and grandmother of 3. Kathleen taught middle and high school French for about a decade. She currently serves on the school board of her daughters’ charter high school. In addition to SFCxUS, Kathleen is also an active member of the Screen Time Action Network, the Phone Free Schools Movement, and the Tech Safe Learning Coalition. As the founder “Swimming UpScreen”, Kathleen blogs about screen-related issues, and also shares tips on how to delay and/or step back from tech overuse. She recently published a journal called “52 Screen-Free Experiences for Families.”