I spent 12 years as a birth assistant, lactation consultant, and CBE trainer in The Bradley Method and Birthing From Within, and ran LaLeche League meetings with a passion for supporting women who have become Moms.

Currently, I'm a Certified Birth Doula for all "happy" births regardless of where and how you deliver. I'm also a Bereavement Doula® helping families struggling with grief and loss, as well as an Adoption & Surrogacy Doula and Certified Lactation Educator in Reno, NV serving Washoe County.

In addition to my Doula training, I have 31+ years in the trenches on my own journey as a Mama. I am Mom Of 18 (yes - 18 kids!). I've written the blog - Mom’s Running It since 2011, am a published author of a self-help memoir in 2016, and host of the Becoming Parents Podcast since May of 2017.

I am a Speaker and have 15+ years of experience in the foster care sector as both a parent and a trainer. I have received targeted training on topics such as crisis intervention, drug & alcohol addiction, surviving trauma, and suicide prevention, which has equipped me with a solid understanding of how to serve others experiencing trauma.

On December 1, 2022, I was the first doula in Nevada to be a Medicaid Provider. This has significantly altered the trajectory of my business and clientele in amazing ways.

CURRENT VOLUNTEER POSITIONS:

I am on the Molina Medicaid Provider Board. 

I'm a member of the local Doula Coop Non-Profit and also a member of the doula coop team for their newsletter as a writer and editor. I'm also on their Board as the MCO Liaison.

I'm the Vice President of the Northern Nevada Breastfeeding Coalition, beginning Jan 1, 2023.

I’m a Doula Certification Advisor for the Nevada Certification Board on their Curriculum and Continuing Education committee.

Personally, I’ve experienced infertility up to IVF and 3 miscarriages - one of which was twins at 16 weeks, as well as 1 hospital birth and 3 home births with midwives - two of which were water births. I breastfed 7 children, including 3 of my adopted babies – for 11 years in total, relactating for 2 of those adopted babies. I have a huge blended family and have suffered the loss of an adult son.

I’m also married to an amazing man in Reno, NV, where we live full-time in our renovated RV, a runner, minimalist, and healthy lifestyle enthusiast.