Staff

Kia is passionate about prioritizing the rights and protections of children especially within the modern digital landscape that treats them as an afterthought. Before joining Fairplay, Kia coordinated wellness-oriented projects and campaigns for the Rutgers University Honors College community, and she worked in the medical field. Her work focused on hosting events, curating infographics, and mobilizing digital campaigns that would allow her community to take advantage of and readily navigate the wellness resources available to them.

Outside of work, Kia’s hobbies include drawing, kickboxing, and cooking for her family and friends.

Rachel is an advocate for young children, with a deep commitment to helping children and families find meaningful connections in a media-heavy world. Rachel earned a B.A. with honors in Environmental Studies, where she published her innovative research on picture books as a tool for consumerism education, and received an M.Ed in Early Childhood Education from Champlain College, focusing on nurturing preschoolers’ self-control in an “instant gratification society.” Rachel has worked as a founding Director and Lead Teacher at the nation’s largest all-outdoor preschool, and is a founding member of the NAEYC Young Professionals Advisory Council.

Sam is a firm believer in the power of kids’ unfettered imagination and grassroots community action in reclaiming childhood from corporate marketers. She directs Fairplay’s communications strategy, focusing on the organization’s corporate campaigns. Prior to joining Fairplay, she taught English and civics to members of Boston Local 26. Sam studied online volunteer communities and the politics of European migration at Harvard University, where she graduated with a BA in Social Studies. She lives in the Detroit area with her partner, Nora, and their rescues Mia and Kiwi.

Josh started at Fairplay as an intern in 2003 and has been with the organization ever since. Most recently, he was Associate Director, organizing campaigns and developing communications strategy. Josh has appeared on Today, NPR, and Fox & Friends and he’s been quoted in publications including The New York Times and The Washington Post. His writings on the commercialization of childhood have appeared in many outlets. He and his wife Jennifer are doing their best to raise their daughter, Clara, commercial-free.

As policy counsel, Haley is focused on Fairplay’s work advocating for laws and regulations that protect children and teens’ autonomy and safety online. Before joining Fairplay, Haley clerked for the Hon. Robert L. Miller, Jr. in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. During law school, Haley worked on issues at the intersection of government surveillance technology and civil liberties. Haley studied law at Indiana University – Bloomington and journalism and political science at Northwestern University. She lives in Washington, DC, with her partner, Isaac, and their very spoiled cat, Cammie.

Lauren is passionate about helping families raise healthy children in our screen-saturated society. As the Work Groups Coordinator for the Children’s Screen Time Action Network, she supports the heart of the Network, its Work Groups, as they advance impactful initiatives. Before joining Fairplay, she worked on screen time legislation and hosted the show, Screen Time Reset. Lauren studied economics at the University of Pennsylvania and worked on Wall Street in a previous life. She now lives in her hometown, Honolulu, where she enjoys hiking, boogie-boarding and spending time with friends and family.

Jean heads the Screen Time Action Network, using screen time research to help parents and professionals reduce children’s screen time and promote creative play. Previously, Jean worked as a writer and communications consultant both in high tech and nonprofit settings. She holds a Master’s in Education and a Certificate in Parenting Education from Wheelock College. She lives in Amherst, NH, with her husband Jim, and various combinations of their five children who come home from college and career.

Bzu is a believer that childhood should be a time composed of human connection and a natural curiosity for the world, without the heavy influence of a digital society. She is a passionate advocate for youth and is inspired to uplift young people to have the freedom of maintaining their own creativity and interests. Before joining Fairplay as the Campaign Organizer, she studied journalism and political science at Boston University. She has volunteered in various youth based services, like running a summer camp for kids in Belize and as a peer mentor in Boston Public Schools.

In her free time she enjoys baking and creating homemade skin care products.

Natasha is passionate about empowering families through education and creating support systems to assist them. With a background in healthcare education, Natasha has worked to improve the lives of children and their families for many years. Prior to joining Fairplay, she earned her B.S. in Nursing and worked as a Registered Nurse with a focus on family services. Meeting families wherever they are within their own wellness journeys is a priority and privilege for her. Outside of work, she has volunteered her time to several youth based sports and health initiatives and enjoys spending time with her close-knit family.