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Meet Our Doulas

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Dani H., volunteering since July 2019

Lisa C., volunteering since July 2019

Katell M., volunteering since July 2019

Lacey C., volunteering since July 2019

Diane L., volunteering since July 2019

Anna R., volunteering since July 2019

Mitchie D., volunteering since July 2019

Shakota D., volunteering since September 2019

Em S., volunteering since September 2019

Anna F., volunteering since October 2019

Kayla G., volunteering since October 2019

Lisa M-D., volunteering since October 2019

Dawn N., volunteering since October 2019

Jacque W., volunteering since October 2019

Senia B., volunteering since February 2020

Kathy K., volunteering since February 2020

Olivia B., volunteering since March 2020

Chrissi N., volunteering since March 2020

Aimee S., volunteering since March 2020

Ilana R., volunteering since June 2020

Nicole V., volunteering since June 2020,

Lisa J., volunteering since June 2020

Sabrina G., volunteering since June 2020

Jenni B., volunteering since June 2020

Sallie C., volunteering since July 2020

Erica L., volunteering since August 2020

Crystal P., volunteering since August 2020

Jessica G., volunteering since September 2020 

Kacki S., volunteering since September 2020 

Sara W., volunteering since October 2020 

Danielle S., volunteering since October 2020 

Kate R., volunteering since October 2020 

Heather B., volunteering since October 2020 

Hirut E., volunteering since October 2020 

Meet Our Staff

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Nicki Dunnavant, TD, MA, Colorado Volunteer Doulas Founder & Executive Director

Nicki began her birth work journey in 2013 when she was trained as a birth doula through DONA International. She had just earned her master's degree, was working full time in public health research, and craved the on-the-ground connection of direct-service birth justice work. Nicki worked as a volunteer doula in Chicago for two years before moving to Colorado, where she founded the Colorado Volunteer Doulas. Nicki has loved serving her clients prenatally, through labor and delivery, and postpartum. She is now passionate about bringing doula services to those that might not otherwise have access and helping doulas gain experience and confidence in this important and valuable work. As doulas, Nicki believes it is our responsibility to be part of the change necessary to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates that are results of medical and structural racism. Nicki has a BA from Colorado College and an MA from the University of Chicago. She lives in Denver with her partner, Mat, and their dog, Rigby.

Meet Our Board

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Jessica Anderson, DNP, CNM, WHNP-BC, FACNM, CVD Board President

Jessica Anderson is a certified nurse-midwife and serves as the Director of the Center for Midwifery at the University of Colorado, College of Nursing. Jessica also holds a faculty appointment as an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado, College of Nursing. She earned her bachelor's in nursing from Viterbo University in Wisconsin, her master's in nursing from Marquette University in Wisconsin, and her post-master's certificate as a Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner, and Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of Colorado College of Nursing. Jessica's professional interests include exercise in pregnancy, water birth, nitrous oxide for labor, women's health care policy, practice development, and immunizations. She is active on committees with the March of Dimes, Colorado Health Department, Colorado Hospital Association, and American College of Nurse-Midwives. Jessica was recently elected to the American College of Nurse-Midwives Board of Directors as the Region 6 Representative. Jessica has committed her life and career to serving women and advocating for reproductive justice. Jessica lives in the Denver metro area with her husband and their two children.

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Penny Lyon, CD/BDT (DONA) CCE, CVD Board Secretary

Penny Lyon has been working with birthing families and care providers since 1976. Penny has been a DONA-certified birth doula since 2001. She become a DONA-approved birth doula trainer in 2011. She and her colleague, Geneva Montano, CPM, formed BirthDoulaTrainers to help every person who wants to become a certified DONA birth doula succeed. Penny and Geneva also offers scholarships to those who qualify. Their desire is to ensure that birth doula training is accessible to anyone who feels the call to be doula. Penny's passion includes mentoring her students and helping them become strong, healthy, and successful doulas. Penny has been married to the love of her life, Dennis, for 50 years. Together they have four children, two bonus daughters, nine grandchildren, two dogs, and three cats.

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Christy Schneider, MA, LPC, CVD Board Treasurer

Christy Schneider is a licensed professional counselor and has been treating couples and individuals in the Denver Metro area for over 14 years. She's passionate about families and mothers having access to supportive birth experiences and works in her practice with pregnant and postpartum women providing support and education. Christy empowers mothers to not just have access to support, but also to have a deeper understanding of what they've experienced and are experiencing. Christy is excited to be a part of removing barriers to valuable services and is hopeful CVD's work will continue to provide empowerment and compassion in the birth process. Christy lives in Golden with her husband Joe, kiddos Harper and Wyatt, and dogs Winne and Jax.

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