Our Doulas & Newborn Care Specialists
We are fortunate to have such compassionate and supportive doulas & newborn care specialists on our team. All doulas & newborn care specialists are independent contractors with Nurtured Foundation and meet the exceptional standards of care that Nurtured Foundation is founded on.


Lisa
Lisa Falkenstein graduated from Kent State University in 1997 with a BA in Family Studies. After working in various social work positions and working with many families in various capacities, she has found her calling. Lisa’s love for families, parenthood, and breast/chest-feeding led her career choice as a postpartum doula in Cleveland.


Ashley
Ashley became a birth doula and placenta encapsulator after her doula supported own birth experience with her third baby. She has also been supporting families in Cleveland as a postpartum doula when she realized the real need for support her clients were experiencing after birth.


Merav
Merav Minkin was a graphic designer and event planner for 10 years prior to finding her true calling as a doula in 2007, when she gave birth to her second child. When he was 5 months old, Merav packed up her suitcases and 2 kids, and drove to NYC to attend a DONA Birth Doula training.


Amanda C.
Amanda is a day & night postpartum doula. She is very passionate about her job helping families during the postpartum time. Amanda has over two wonderful years under her belt as a trained postpartum doula and has learned much more hands on through her years of work.


Meg
Meg is a Certified Child Life Specialist and Newborn Care Specialist. Her bachelors degree as a Child Life Specialist was attained from The University of Akron. Meg initially began nursing school with the goal of becoming a labor and delivery or pediatric oncology nurse.


Shannon
Shannon is a birth & postpartum doula and is trained through DONA, serving the Cleveland area. In addition, Shannon is a certified lactation counselor. She has had births at Metro, Fairview, and St. John Westshore hospitals. Shannon is also trained with Spinning Babies.


Cassandra
Over the years I have seen firsthand the importance that birth and the postpartum period have on the rest of your life. It is incredibly important to me that those that I work with feel fulfilled, supported, and cared for during this new journey. We all deserve a village, and I strive to give all of my clients (and those around me) just that!


Lexi
A naturally nurturing personality and a degree in early childhood development led me on a path to becoming a career nanny for ten years. To aid in supporting new parents and baby in the first year following birth, I have expanded my expertise with DONA International and Birth Arts International training in postpartum doula work.


Sasha
My name is Sasha and I’ve always had a passion for birth work, I am currently in nursing school and anticipate working toward my Master’s in Midwifery after I graduate. When I had my baby in 2018, I decided to pursue my birth doula certification and most recently my postpartum doula certification to be able to support women in the way that I realized is extremely necessary.


Madison
Madison Hendry, transitioned into motherhood in 2014. As a visual artist and recent graduate in 2011 with a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY, she began to see a shift in her artwork, career, and perspective on life. Her artwork has been exhibited and published internationally and included in pioneering events such as, Project AfterBirth; the first ever international exhibition based on the subject of early parenthood.


Kristen
Hi! I’m Kristen, I’m a Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, and Mother. I love my community, great music, reading, deep conversations about life and parenting, and creating personal connections. Being a Doula is not just my job, it is who I am.


Christie
Christie decided to become a doula for many reasons: supporting other women is part of her personal and professional philosophy, the training and education has helped her to process her own pregnancies and births, and most importantly to assist in helping women and birthing people advocate for themselves and the experiences that they deserve.


Erica
As an pediatric occupational therapist of 25 years, Erica has developed a deep appreciation for the lifelong impact of early mother and infant experiences. This awareness has driven her decision to add doula services to her skill set.


Marie
Marie McCausland, PhD, MPH is a CAPPA-trained Postpartum Doula, scientist, and award-winning maternal health advocate. Marie became a Postpartum Doula to help better serve families as they welcome their new baby into their home.


Alesha
Alesha is a night time Postpartum Doula. She has been with Nurtured Foundation as an In-Home Massage Therapist for over a year, and decided to add doula work as well so she can further support her fellow moms. She is also knowledgeable in infant massage. Alesha believes that every mom needs to feel supported and confident in their instincts, and that is her approach to every client.


Ashley B.
Ashley is a kind, caring and a fun-loving person that wears her heart on her sleeve. She has a background in photography, art therapy and has been working as a nanny the past four years. Once she learned about doulas and their role in supporting birthers and families, she quickly knew that was what she wanted to do. She now is a postpartum doula serving the Cleveland and Akron area.


Olivia (Liv)
Olivia is a postpartum doula and she is trained through Birth Arts International. Along with being a certified postpartum doula, she also has a background in childcare and early childhood education.


Lucy
As a postpartum doula, I lighten the load for birthing people and their partners and help them create a long term network of support. Trained to be an unbiased and judgement-free source of support and education, I act as a guide so that new parents can walk confidently through the challenges and joys of this new stage of life.


Annette
Mother of 3, birth doula through Birth Arts International. I have been studying for 2 years for the Doula CERT, trained in Hypnotherapy, Breastfeeding education, and Childbirth education.