At 32, facing a mental health tipping point, a conversation with her aunt , Dr. Deborah Roebuck, provided the inspiration she needed.
Dr. Roebuck’s advice , “The last place you need to be when you are in a low place is by yourself,” planted the seed for what would become a supportive network for others.
In 2021 , Kenney accelerated the development of Hey Auntie! by participating in a six-month incubator/accelerator program , culminating in her winning first place in the Well City Challenge .
The $50 , 000 prize funded market research that revealed a surprising demographic: nearly half of the women interested in the platform were over 50. These women, often facing life transitions, were eager to engage with and learn from younger generations.
Hey Auntie! has since grown to include about 700 members, primarily based in Philadelphia , but also extending across the United States and internationally.
The platform offers a private network where members can connect through peer discussions, expert Q&A sessions, and a vetted 1-to-1 matching service . This matching service pairs seasoned women with those beginning similar life journeys, fostering meaningful connections .
While currently free , Hey Auntie! is structured as a for-profit company, with plans to explore paid memberships and B2B partnerships with financial and insurance firms.
“Utilizing established technologies simplifies communication and makes everyone feel included,” Kenney notes.
“We aim to demonstrate how multigenerational connection and collaboration is a dynamic force for good,” Kenney says. “And why innovators closest to the challenges should be those closest to designing the solutions.”
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