Council and Committee Rosters
Executive Committee
Purpose: To act on behalf of the Board of Directors when the board is not in session and within the scope established in the Lamaze International Bylaws.
- Jessica Deeb, President
- Kacy Cutler, Past President
- Robin Douthit, President-Elect
- Naima Beckles, Secretary/Treasurer
- Teresa Navarro, At-Large Director
Accreditation Committee
Purpose: Serves as the standard-setting body for accreditation of Lamaze Childbirth Educator Programs and outside organizations seeking Lamaze contact hours for educational offerings; makes policy decisions relating to accreditation matters.
- Linda Jackson, Chair
- Gemma Wilson, Member
- Yogyata Wadhwa, Member
- Deborah Woolley, Member
- Sai Bhavani Visarapu, Member
- Trinisha Williams, Board Liaison
Certification Council Governing Body
Purpose: Serves as the standard-setting body for Lamaze certification and makes policy decisions relating to certification matters.
- Elizabeth (Betsy) Armstrong, Immediate Past Chair
- Allison Walsh, At-Large Member
- Elena Carrillo, At-Large Member
- Christen Sadler, At-Large Member
- Erika Millender, At-Large Member
- Anjanette Silas, At-Large Member
- Tara Schuler, At-Large Member
- Sunday Tortelli, At-Large Member
- Katie Rohs, Board Liaison
Education Committee
Purpose: Responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating professional education programs that promote childbirth educator training and development. Makes policy decisions related to professional education programs.
- Wendy Trees Shiffer, Chair
- Ambar Rivera, Parent Education Chair
- Renece Waller-Wise, Continuing Education Chair
- Ashley Eaton Denton, Childbirth Educator Training and Resources Chair
- Jamie Wasson, Member At-Large
- Shauna Lively, Board Liaison
Finance Committee
Purpose: Makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the annual budget, selection of financial audit firm and investment manager, financial policies and transfers.
- Jessica Deeb, President
- Robin Douthit, President-Elect
- Naima Beckles, Secretary/Treasurer
Search Committee
Purpose: Actively seeks out leadership candidates for the Board of Directors and other key leadership positions, reviews their qualifications, and recommends candidates for the election slate or appointment in accordance with the Lamaze International Bylaws and procedures established by the Board of Directors.
Advocacy + Collaboration
Purpose: Advocacy and collaboration have long been strategic priorities for Lamaze International. This committee has been established to focus on advocating for safe and healthy birth practices through access to evidence-based childbirth education for all expecting parents on local, national and international levels.
- Sujata Gami, Chair
- Hellen Callans, Member
- Julie Rauschenplat, Member
- Krista Lumpkins, Member
- Kim Collins, Member
- Michael Klau-Stevens, Member
- Tamara Wright, Member
- Leslie Arnott, Board Liaison
Continuing Education Committee
- Renece Waller-Wise, Chair
- Andrea Lythgoe, Member
- Nancy Bonilla, Member
- Melissa DeFoor, Member
- Darcie Robert, Member
- Megan Stauffer, Member
- Shauna Lively, Board Liaison
Conference Planning Committee
- Melissa DeFoor, Chair
- Datia Rosenberg, Member
- Linsey Griffith, Member
- Krista Lumpkins-Howard, Member
- Hanan Abdul-Hameed, Member
- Kayla Bray, Member
- Maria Murillo, Member
- Shauna Lively, Board Liaison
Membership Committee
Purpose: The Membership Committee provides input and guidance on membership engagement, benefits, and structure of the organization. It also provides input on membership surveys and monitors membership satisfaction, reviews membership reports and trends, and contributes its knowledge of member needs and trends in maternal/child health and perinatal education.
- Esther Kimani, Chair
- Kinanthi Lebdawicaksaputri, Member
- Deniece Selvin, Member
- Blake Slusser, Member
- Robin Douthit, Board Liaison
- Naima Beckles, Board Liaison