Meet our team

Susie Davies is a GP with a special interest in adolescent mental health. She is the founder of PAPAYA and is passionate about improving mental health outcomes for today's adolescents.

She founded PAPAYA six years ago when she began recognizing the link between technology use and poor mental health in students. She is the author of The Healthy Selfie: How to Like Yourself in the Digital Age.

With over 20 years of leadership experience in people, product, and program management across start-ups, non-profits, and corporates, she brings a broad strategic perspective. Sally is passionate about building operational excellence and empowering adolescents to navigate technology’s challenges for healthier, more fulfilled lives.

Laura has 10 years of experience working with vulnerable adolescents as a project director for a social arts charity. She is currently a specialist music teacher in primary schools across Hertfordshire and an engaging practitioner of singing, music, drama, and storytelling.

Laura is also the founder of the Girls Rising Movement (Puberty for Girls) and the author of the illustrated book The Moon Child.

As a mother of three girls aged 13, 10, and 7, Laura understands firsthand the pressures young people face from smartphones and social media. She is a passionate advocate for the smartphone-free childhood movement and is excited to bring workshops to her region.

Jennifer has been key to the Smartphone Free Childhood movement in her role as Regional Leader in South West London and Surrey.

Separately, she co-founded the Smartphone Free Schools Rating and the Unplugged Coalition to reclaim childhood from addictive technology. Jennifer hosts the 'Powers Unplugged' podcast and is a frequent media commentator. With over 25 years in public policy and strategy, she was also Special Adviser to the Prime Minister on energy and business.

As a mother of a teenage daughter and two sons she is passionate about helping young people get a healthy balance with tech. She has been involved with Papaya since it’s launch in 2018 and is excited to be joining the trustee team in November 2023.

Jo is a Professor of Latin American Studies at the University of Bristol with nearly 20 years in higher education. She has observed growing pressure on students, often linked to phone use and social media.

As a parent of two secondary school children, Jo balances encouraging positive digital tool use with caution about screen time. A long-time Papaya supporter, she became a trustee in early 2024.

Despite their children managing without personal devices, Raj is concerned about increasing peer pressure for phones and social media.

He actively promotes the benefits of a “Smart Phone Free” childhood and has been a long-time supporter of Papaya.

Before this unexpected career shift, Joe founded and led branding consultancy Onwards, helping early-stage businesses and charities launch and grow. He's been instrumental in shaping Papaya's partnership with SFC as well as supporting the evolution of Papaya as a trustee.