Kate Doerksen and Anne Pizzuti Are Changing How Kids Communicate Online
The Sister Founders who built Sage Haven, a messaging app that protects kids while encouraging healthier digital communication.
Technology has transformed how children connect with the world. Yet for many parents, the rapid growth of messaging platforms and social apps has come with a constant undercurrent of worry. Cyberbullying, harmful language, and escalating online conflicts can unfold quickly and quietly behind a screen.
For sisters Kate Doerksen and Anne Pizzuti, that concern became a call to action.
Together, the two founders created Sage Haven, a messaging platform designed specifically for kids that blocks harmful content before it is sent, encourages positive communication, and helps families navigate the digital world with greater confidence. Their goal was simple but ambitious: build technology that protects children while teaching them healthier ways to communicate online.
From Silicon Valley to Family-Focused Technology
Kate Doerksen is no stranger to the startup world. A seasoned Silicon Valley entrepreneur, she previously founded Ditto, an AI and augmented reality eyewear platform that reached more than 70 million users before being acquired by 1-800-Contacts.
Beyond her success as a founder, Kate holds an MBA from Stanford and has spent years advising emerging AI startups while serving on several boards. Long before her career in technology, she also played professional basketball in the WNBA, an experience that shaped her leadership style and competitive mindset.
Anne Pizzuti brings a complementary perspective to the partnership. Known for her operational expertise, Anne previously led large teams and helped drive $22 million in revenue at E. & J. Gallo Winery. She later moved into the technology world, where she played a key role in scaling the SaaS company Pinata and helping secure a $10 million Series A round.
Together, the sisters combine deep technical knowledge, operational leadership, and a shared belief that technology should serve families, not create new risks for them.
From Left To Right: Founders, Anne Pizzuti and Kate Doerksen
Designing Technology That Prevents Harm
What sets Sage Haven apart from traditional messaging apps is its proactive approach to safety.
Instead of simply reacting to harmful messages after they are sent, Sage Haven uses AI-powered tools to detect and block potentially harmful language before it ever reaches another child. If a message contains bullying, threats, or inappropriate content, the platform pauses the interaction and encourages the sender to rethink their words.
This approach transforms messaging from a reactive environment into a teachable moment.
Rather than shaming or punishing children for mistakes, the app nudges them toward better choices. It’s technology designed not only to protect kids but also to help them develop emotional awareness and empathy as they communicate online.
For parents, the result is something many have been searching for: peace of mind.
Building With Families in Mind
As both founders and parents, Kate and Anne approached the design of Sage Haven with real family dynamics in mind.
They understood that parents want visibility into their children’s digital lives without feeling intrusive, and that kids still want a sense of independence when communicating with friends.
Sage Haven was built to balance those two needs. The platform integrates thoughtful design features that help parents stay informed while allowing kids to develop healthy digital habits on their own.
The result is a messaging experience that feels familiar to children but far more intentional behind the scenes.
Pictured: Founder, Anne Pizzuti
Women Founders Leading the Conversation
Kate and Anne are also part of a growing group of women founders reshaping the technology industry.
Launching a startup is never simple, but female founders often face additional hurdles when it comes to fundraising and access to networks. By building Sage Haven together, the sisters have created not only a product but also a powerful example of women leading innovation in AI and family technology.
Their journey highlights the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping the future of digital platforms, especially those designed for younger generations.
Pictured: Founder, Kate Doerksen
A Kinder Digital Future
The internet is not going away, and neither is the role technology plays in childhood.
For Kate Doerksen and Anne Pizzuti, the solution is not to remove kids from digital spaces but to redesign those spaces with intention, empathy, and safety in mind.
Through Sage Haven, the sisters are proving that technology can do more than connect people. It can guide behavior, prevent harm, and create a healthier online culture for the next generation.
And in a digital world that often moves faster than parents can keep up, that kind of innovation could not come at a better time.
