Meet the 2026
Conference Speakers
Friday, October 16, 2026
12:45-2:15pm Dr. Neel Shah & Debbie Young: Birth Round Table Discussion
Dr. Shah is Chief Medical Officer of Maven Clinic, the world's largest digital clinic for women's and family health, and a lecturer at Harvard Medical School. He oversees
12:45-2:15pm Dr. Neel Shah & Debbie Young: Birth Round Table Discussion
Debbie is a nationally recognized childbirth educator, birth and postpartum doula, lactation counselor, and leader in maternal-child health with more than 30 years of
2:30-3:30pm Rock Your Supporting Role: How to Excel in Service Without Losing Yourself
Tara is a certified birth doula, ICEA Approved Trainer, and Bringing Baby Home Educator with more than 20 years of experience supporting families in the
4:40-5:40pm Evolving Intimacy in Emerging Parenthood
Natalie has worked in sexuality and relationship education since 2009, beginning as a peer educator in high schools. While earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Western Washington
Saturday, October 17, 2026
8:45-9:45am 39-Week Elective Induction: Where Have We ARRIVED?
As a birth options expert, author, and educator, Henci Goer has made analyzing and synthesizing obstetric research her life’s work, with the goal of giving pregnant women, birthing
10:00-11:00am From Womb to Tomb: Perinatal Mental Health and the Increased Risks for the BIPOC Community
Greg is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Clinical Director, community mental health advocate, and Mental Wellness Alliance Community
11:00-12:00 PM Miriam McKinney & Amy Nevland Push Past the Basics: Elevating Childbirth Classes with Tech & AI
Miriam is an ICEA certified childbirth educator who lives and works in Central Texas. Miriam enjoys educating to-be parents on
11:00-12:00pm Miriam McKinney & Amy Nevland Push Past the Basics: Elevating Childbirth Classes with Tech & AI
7:00-8:30pm Evening Activity & Dessert Round Robin Ft. Amy Nevland, Connie Bach-Jeckell, & Emily Wannenburg, &
1:00-2:00pm When Education Isn’t Enough: Childbirth Education in an Unequal System
Ginny is a maternal–child health professional, childbirth educator, and policy leader with over 12 years of experience across labor and delivery, community health,
2:00-3:00pm Motion is Lotion: A Doulas Guide to Movement
7:00-8:30pm Evening Activity & Dessert Round Robin Ft. Amy Nevland, Connie Bach-Jeckell, & Emily Wannenburg, & MORE
Emily is a former Nurse Midwife, Advanced Birth Doula,
3:30-4:30pm Newborn Care Procedures: Current Trends and Elevating Parent Preparation
Charla is a public health professional, perinatal educator, and doula from Spokane, Washington, where she lives with her husband, three kids, and the sweetest
7:00-8:30pm Evening Activity & Dessert Round Robin Ft. Amy Nevland, Connie Bach-Jeckell, & Emily Wannenburg, & MORE
Connie is a certified nurse, childbirth educator, doula and trainer. For over 30 years she has taught across the United
Sunday, October 18, 2026
8:10-9:10AM Doula Down the Bayou: What Happens When the Community Serves Itself
Madeline is a labor and delivery nurse, lactation consultant, birth doula, childbirth educator, author, speaker, and trainer dedicated to improving maternal and
8:10-9:10am Madeline LeBlanc & Breea Carter Doula Down the Bayou: What Happens When the Community Serves Itself
Breea is a Dominican American birth doula and Operations Director at Mary's Hands Network, Louisiana's largest volunteer-based
9:10-10:10am Raising the Standard for Breastfeeding Support
Patricia is a registered nurse, an IBCLC, an ICEA certified childbirth educator, a wife, and a mother of four grown sons. She has been teaching childbirth education classes for 30 years
10:20-11:20am Social Media: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Elizabeth (Liz) has been working with parents and families since 1997 when she was hired as part of a OJJDP Grant to educate families with “at risk children” in rural settings.
She then
Kelly is a speaker, educator, and healthcare advocate who helps healthcare professionals communicate clearly, confidently, and effectively in high-pressure situations. Drawing on her multidisciplinary background in patient care, healthcare advocacy,
On-Demand Conference Sessions (available until December 31, 2026)
Rx For Fathers: For Moms and Babies
Greg is the Founder of Boot Camp for New Dads. Started in 1990 to provide men with a little orientation before their first baby came, Boot Camp has grown to over 250 programs. Called a “nursery in a locker
Rx For Fathers: For Moms and Babies
Alison Bishop is a parenting educator, speaker, and advocate dedicated to helping families navigate the transition to parenthood with confidence and support. As the mother of four children, Alison brings both
Rx For Fathers: For Moms and Babies
Chuck is the Director of Community Services for St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, CO. He has been actively involved in supporting new fathers since 1998, when he brought the Boot Camp workshop to Denver, then
Navigating Breastfeeding Myths and Misinformation in the Era of Social Media
Dr. Thuet is a board-certified pediatrician, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), and the only board-certified Breastfeeding and Lactation
When Birth Doesn't Go as Planned - NICU Doula
Dr. Bolds is a nationally recognized high-risk Birth Doula, childbirth educator, and maternal health advocate based in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen. With over 40 years in allied health and more
Supporting Neurodivergent Families in Childbirth Education: Inclusive Practices That Elevate Learning
Alix is a perinatal support professional, doula, and educator who specializes in neuro-affirming, inclusive care for pregnant and postpartum
Postpartum Changes: Brain 2 Toe
Dr. Lee was born in Hong Kong and immigrated to the states at the age of five with her family and spent much of her early life in Washington State where she attended undergraduate at University of Washington.
From Care to Credibility: Evaluating Your Impact as a Birth Worker
Kyra earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Social Work and is currently pursuing her Master of Public Health degree at Florida State University.
Since graduating, she
Elevating Childbirth Education: Integrating Diastasis Recti Awareness into Your Classes
Julie is a Registered Nurse, Certified Personal Trainer and Childbirth Educator. She is in the ‘better belly” business. Better belly after having a baby,
The Postpartum Nutrition Depletion and Depression Connection
Maranda Bower is a biological scientist, researcher, and founder of Postpartum University®—a global company revolutionizing postpartum care and wellness through functional nutrition
From Bump to Baby: How Birth Professionals Can Protect and Restore the Infant Microbiome
Danielle is a Certified Nutrition SpecialistⓇ and Licensed Dietician-Nutritionist with over 14 years of experience in functional nutrition, clinical