Randi is Project Manager for Switch™ - active lifestyles from Mediawise at the National Institute on Media and the Family. Switch is a groundbreaking program designed to promote healthy lifestyles and fitness for families and communities. Randi was responsible for managing the initial Switch research project in Lakeville, Minnesota and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Currently Randi is responsible for managing the partnership development and use of the Switch program as it is adopted by communities and schools nationally.

Prior to joining the Institute, Randi worked as the Just Eliminate Lies (JEL) Coordinator for the State of Iowa Health Department, promoting youth advocacy against Big Tobacco.

Randi received her Bachelors of Arts in Women's Health with emphasis in Health Promotion, Global Health, and Environmental Health from the University of Northern Iowa, and her Masters of Public Health from the Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical School.

David Walsh, Ph.D.
President, National Institute on Media and the Family
Dr. Walsh is the president and founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family based in Minneapolis, MN. Psychologist, educator, author and parent of three Dr. Walsh has emerged as one of the world's leading authorities on parenting, family life and the impact of media on children and teens. He has written nine books including the national best seller Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen (Free Press, 2004) and his most recent book No: Why Kids - of All Ages - Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It (Free Press, 2007).

Dr. Walsh received his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Minnesota. He is currently on the faculty there and is also a consultant to the World Health Organization. He has been the recipient of many awards including the 1999 "Friend of the Family Award" presented by the Council on Family Relations.

Sarah B. Strickland
Executive Director, National Institute on Media and the Family

Sarah responsible for overall strategy, business development and program direction to advance the Institute’s mission and vision. She was instrumental in designing the Switch research project, securing the necessary funding, and directing the two-year project in Lakeville, MN and Cedar Rapids, IA.

Sarah is an experienced leader with twenty-five years of organizational management and consulting experience in the health and social services sectors. Her areas of expertise include strategic business planning and implementation, organizational assessment and development, board development, and interim executive management. She has served in administrative roles for Fairview Health Services in behavioral health, clinic management, occupational health, chronic pain management, and held marketing management positions at HealthOne Corporation in Minneapolis.

Ms. Strickland received a B.A. degree in Organizational Psychology from Pitzer College, Claremont, California. Her community involvement has included board leadership and committee volunteer roles for St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Children’s Surgery International, Planned Parenthood of Minnesota/South Dakota, and Leadership Minneapolis.

Douglas A. Gentile, Ph.D.
Director of Research

Dr. Douglas Gentile is a developmental psychologist, and is assistant professor of psychology at Iowa State University and the director of research for the National Institute on Media and the Family. His experience includes over 20 years conducting research with children and adults. Dr. Gentile has authored numerous studies, including “The Effects of Violent Video Game Habits on Adolescent Aggressive Attitudes and Behaviors,” “A Validity Test of Movie, Television, and Video Game Ratings,” and “A Normative Study of Family Media Habits.” He is the editor of the book Media Violence and Children (2003, Praeger Press), and co-author of the book Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents: Theory, Research, and Public Policy (2007, Oxford University Press).

Dr. Gentile received his doctorate in child psychology from the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota. Prior to his work at Iowa State University and the National Institute, he worked as a market researcher, a math instructor, and served as test developer and data analyst for Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey. He is on the editorial board of the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology. He lives in Ames, Iowa with his daughter Lauren.