About Us
Empower, Encourage and Support
Smart Families is a non-profit organization that works directly with families, school district leaders, school administration and teachers to implement a pledge and educational program for families to wait until after 8th grade to give children smartphones.
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Our organization will provide all of the educational, promotional and organizational tools needed for staff and families to successfully change the culture in their communities.
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Smart Families was started by parents who saw the need to bring a campaign to their school and have now built a team of researchers, teachers, spiritual leaders and non-profit professionals who are dedicated to supporting and empowering others.
Meet the Team
The leadership and guidance for Smart Families.
Brian Kuzma
Co-Founder
Brian Kuzma is a Co-Founder of Smart Families with his wife Jennifer. He loves coaching sports for his two children. Brian was an engineer by training and now runs an Asset Management firm. He has been concerned with how commercial interests are increasingly disrespecting our innate human dignity and increasingly becoming reliant on manipulating our physiology (sometimes deliberately, but often not). The issue became personal as his oldest entered 3rd grade and he saw parents hungry for leadership and often reluctantly succumbing to the peer pressure to give their child a smartphone. He believes the consequences of improper information technology usage are predictable and disturbingly prevalent by 8th grade (cutting, depression and anxiety, smartphone and scrolling addiction, gaming addiction, and pornography addiction). However, there is hope. When the Kuzmas implemented a smartphone pledge at their school they weren’t sure what the reception would be. It was the same that it will be at your school: overwhelming support!
Jennifer Kuzma
Co-Founder
Jennifer Kuzma is the Co-Founder of Smart Families with her husband Brian. Jennifer believes children today often have to grow up too fast and wants to help prevent them from being exposed to potentially harmful and addictive technology including smartphones. A former elementary school teacher, Jennifer is now an active volunteer at her church and children's school. After starting Smart Families at her children’s school she wants to help other families and schools band together to create healthier, happier and safer communities.
Dean Kovacs
Director of School Engagement
Dean isn't a Texan by birth, but after moving to the Houston area in 2019 with his wife, he quickly became a Texan by choice! He has spent several years working in Youth Ministry and has degrees in Environmental Science, Theology and Catechetics. He has a passion for service and building a better community. Dean is grateful to be a part of the Smart Family team and excited to spread its mission and goals. Dean also enjoys spending time with his family, being an outdoorsman, spicy food and, of course, coffee.
Hillary Caceres
Director of Marketing & New Business Development
Hillary's professional career spans from helping build various start-up companies to the Marketing Director at the Alzheimer's Association, NYC and subsequently several years as a marketing consultant. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree Communications along with a citation in Spanish. As a mother of three young girls, she is always looking for ways to help guide them in healthy ways, both physically and mentally. She is an active volunteer in her church, school and community.
Sally Waterfield
Program Director
Sally Waterfield is from Warrington, England and earned her Bachelor of Art in Linguistics from the University of Manchester. Sally earned her postgraduate certificate in Education from the University of Chester and has spent 16 years teaching elementary aged children in both the UK and Texas. As a teacher, Sally has observed the impact of increasing exposure to screens within the classroom, noting the progressive change in students’ cognitive and emotional functioning. Sally is an advocate for empowering parents to reclaim, improve, and strengthen family relationships through embracing experiences that nurture and promote connection. Alongside teaching, Sally works as an educational consultant advising on content for school-based prevention programs. Sally resides in Katy, Texas with her husband and 3 children, and is currently studying to become a Clinical Mental Health Counselor.
Dr. Crystal Collier
Advisor
Crystal Collier, PhD, is a therapist, educator, author of The NeuroWhereAbouts Guide, and creator of www.KnowYourNeuro.org, and online prevention program. Her comprehensive prevention model, which teaches the neurodevelopmental effects of risky behavior to students, school staff, and families, was selected for the Prevention and Education Commendation from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Dr. Collier received the Torch Bearer Award from the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals, Outstanding Research Award from the Association of Alternative Peer Groups, and voted Counselor of the Year by the Houston Counseling Association.
Jarrad Bourger
Advisor
Jarrad's greatest passion is being a husband and father to three children. He love coaching, serving in his church, and investing in great friendships. This dedication to service is a fundamental aspect of his involvement with Smart Families, as it allows Jarrad to contribute to the greater Houston area. As a Christian, Jarrad believe God calls individuals to partner with Him to bring beauty into the world and to use the resources available to help people flourish. Jarrad think's technology is an excellent tool to execute on this mission, but unfortunately, society is increasingly divided between naivety and cynicism regarding technology: the former risks harm through inadequate safeguards, while the latter restricts beneficial technology applications, together impeding human flourishing. Beyond this dichotomy lies the mission of Smart Families, bringing wisdom to schools and parents to foster strong families that promote technology use that can benefit the world rather than using it to turn inward and against ourselves. As an advisor, Jarrad will utilize his background in leadership, investing, and building technology to work alongside the Smart Families team in executing their mission.