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.
- Robin Douthit, President
- Jessica Deeb, Past President
- Naima Beckles, President-Elect
- Meghan Bardwell, Secretary/Treasurer
- Katie Rohs, At-Large Director
Accreditation Committee
Committee Purpose: To serve as an independent decision-making body that oversees all accreditation matters for Lamaze International. 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.
- Elena Carrillo, Chair
- Erika Millender, Vice-Chair
- Elizabeth (Betsy) Armstrong, Immediate Past Chair
- Allison Walsh, At-Large Member
- Christen Sadler, At-Large Member
- Anjanette Silas, At-Large Member
- Tara Schuler, At-Large Member
- Sunday Tortelli, At-Large Member
- Wendy Shiffer, Board Liaison
Education Committee
Purpose: The Education Committee is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating high quality evidenced-based training for childbirth educators, continuing education for perinatal professionals, and parent education.
- Ashley Denton, Chair
- Ambar Rivera, Parent Education Chair
- Renece Waller-Wise, Continuing Education Chair
- Mindy Cockeram, Childbirth Educator Training and Resources Chair
- Jamie Wasson, Member At-Large
- Sujata Gami, 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.
- Robin Douthit, President
- Naima Beckles, President-Elect
- Meghan Bardwell, 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.
- Leslie Arnott, Board Liaison
Continuing Education Committee
The Continuing Education Committee is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating high-quality evidenced-based continuing education for childbirth educators, nurses and other health care professionals in order to ensure that all pregnant people have access to education that promotes safe and satisfying birth practices.
- Renece Waller-Wise, Chair
- Andrea Lythgoe, Vice-Chair
- Sriharika Jammula, Member
- Melissa DeFoor, Member
- Veronica Nwokem, Member
- Julie Buck, Member
- Sujata Gami, 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
- Deniece Selvin, Vice-Chair
- Crystal Jackson, Member
- Kinanthi Lebdawicaksaputri, Member
- Blake Slusser, Member
- Lelia Marino, Board Liaison