Our Team | ScreenStrong

The ScreenStrong Team

MELANIE HEMPE

FOUNDER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

After her oldest son, Adam, dropped out of college due to his video game addiction, Melanie Hempe, BSN, put her nursing degree and training from Emory University to good use and founded ScreenStrong. It’s her mission to create educational programs for kids and parents so no one will experience the pain of screen addiction. Her ability to simplify medical science and provide practical solutions for families has allowed her to share her passion and bold screen solutions nationally. ScreenStrong has won the hearts of many families who are preventing and reversing childhood screen conflicts and addiction.

Host of the popular weekly ScreenStrong Families Podcast, Melanie has been featured in Psychology Today, Thrive-Global, The Wall Street Journal, A&E Network, CBS, CNN, NPR, the documentary Screened Out, and various news and television outlets. Her ScreenStrong Kids’ Brains and Screens Courses are available for parents and students. Her four books include, “Kids’ Brains & Screens: A ScreenStrong Student Course,” “Will Your Gamer Survive College?” “Can Your Teen Survive—and Thrive—Without a Smartphone?” and “The ScreenStrong Solution: How to Free Your Child from Addictive Screen Habits.”

DR. ADRIANA STACEY

MEDICAL ADVISOR

Dr. Stacey is a general psychiatrist. Her work is mostly concentrated with teens and college students. She has a specific interest in how smartphones affect the mental health of children. Dr. Stacey’s insights in regard to technology use have been featured in the Washington Post and on the Today Show. Dr. Stacey has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Alabama and an M.D. from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She completed her psychiatry training at the University of Wisconsin.

Dr. Stacey enjoys speaking to groups of kids/teens, parents, teachers, and health care providers. She lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with her husband and four children.

OLIVIA KERNEKIN

PROGRAM DIRECTOR | IT DIRECTOR

Olivia Kernekin is a working professional located in Dallas, Texas. She earned a dual degree in English and Dramatic Arts from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, and has worked in medical, financial, theatrical, humanitarian, and childcare fields. Raised a homeschooler, Olivia understands the necessity for children to grow up without immersive screens in order to develop as lifelong learners. She is a strong advocate for early childhood reading, delaying screens, and returning childhood to the great outdoors.

In addition to being Program Director and IT Director, Olivia is the Producer for the ScreenStrong Families Podcast. She has worked with ScreenStrong since 2018.

MANDEE HAMANN

AMBASSADOR LIAISON | SPEAKER

Mandee Hamann is a businesswoman and a former Early Childhood/Elementary pastor with an additional 10 years of youth ministry experience alongside her husband, Jeremy. After her own family struggled with toxic screen issues, Mandee became a ScreenStrong Ambassador and is committed to spreading our delay message. She lives in Iowa with her husband and three children. Mandee has been working with ScreenStrong since 2020.

AMIE ROBILLARD

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Amie Robillard has a Master’s in Education and has worked with and around adolescents for 20 years. She taught high school for 10 years, coached youth sports, tutored, created a preschool Spanish program and has done youth ministry alongside her husband. Lifelong learning, creating and celebrating, intentionality in relationships, and being outdoors are passions of Amie’s. As a teacher and now as a mother of five, Amie values building strong connections with kids and helping children experience “true” childhood- full of play & imagination, time outside, and minimal technology. She has seen the negative effects of toxic screens on adolescents first hand and desires for all kids to experience the life for which they were created. Amie resides in Charlotte, NC with her husband and children.

ANNA WIGHT

BRAND MANAGER

Anna Wight, CNHP, has a creative background in photography, holds a certification as a Natural Holistic Professional, and is a wife and mom to five beautiful children. In an attempt to find wellness in her own body she authored a cookbook, and built a thriving wellness business. She understands the importance of connecting the dots between the mind, body, and spirit and enjoys bringing that to life for other families. Anna is an advocate and cheerleader for parents making intentional steps toward their child’s mental and physical wellness.