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Meet the Team

Maria Rossi (MSW) began her journey into childbirth and reproductive rights in 2000, during her undergraduate years at the University of Vermont, where she was introduced to the captivating history of childbirth in the United States, the interconnectedness with reproductive rights, and the profound influence doulas and midwives can have on individuals' birth experiences through a course titled: "Sociology of Reproduction".

 

After giving birth to her first child in 2009, Maria's passion for supporting families and individuals during this vulnerable and transformative time grew stronger, leading her to become a doula and childbirth educator, driven by a mission to provide support to those who were often marginalized in the realm of maternal health. 

 

In 2023, Maria completed her graduate degree in social work to deepen her skills and knowledge of perinatal mental health and looks forward to using those skills to both support individuals and to inform the future offerings within DAV.

Sarah Teel is an experienced doula, researcher and policy advocate whose work is grounded in the understanding that families are the true experts on their own needs.  

 

She has advocated both legislatively and in the community for more access to doula support, working as an independent doula as well as with the unique Doula Project collaboration at Washington County Mental Health. 

 

 She is passionate about supporting the integrity and independence of the doula profession and preserving doulas’ ability to be trusted advocates for and with their fellow community members.

Jaimie Martin brings a deeply personal passion and commitment to her role as Co-Director of the Doula Association of Vermont (DAV). Having lived her entire life in poverty and currently accessing Medicaid herself, she understands firsthand the barriers many families face in accessing quality maternal care.

 

Her journey into advocacy was profoundly shaped by her experiences of four traumatic births without doula support; ranging from an emergency cesarean at 17 years old in which doctors and nurses ignored her attempts at self-advocacy, to enduring abuse from nurses and a severe lack of support, a shoulder dystocia, and a harrowing experience of being forcibly removed from a labor tub and held down during crowning—resulting in her daughter’s arm being forcibly broken by the attending physician who had taken charge away from her OBGYN quoting “hospital policy” during her fourth delivery at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

These experiences starkly contrasted with her final birth, supported by a doula, which was her first empowering and compassionate birthing experience. Jaimie knows personally the effect of accessing doula care and how this can safeguard the birthing person in one of the most vulnerable positions that a human being can find themselves in. Point blank, she knows that this matters. 

 

These personal challenges, combined with her years of both advocacy and leadership, fuel her dedication to ensuring equitable access to doula care for all Vermont families. In her role at DAV, she focuses on creating frameworks that uplift doulas, promote Medicaid coverage, and address systemic inequalities - all with the primary goal of ensuring that poor birthing people remain centered in accessing equitable, compassionate doula care to improve maternal and family health outcomes across the state.

Mary Etna is a certified birth doula, and Evidence Based Birth® Instructor. 

 

She began working as a doula in 2013, during which she discovered her passion for perinatal care and education. 

 

As a non-clinical healthcare worker, Mary Etna sees herself as a link between individuals and their clinical care providers. 

 

Her goal is to not only empower her clients, but also to strengthen ties between different levels of healthcare providers, so that we can truly work as a network to support our community. 

 

Improving access to doula support, especially for marginalized and low-income communities is an essential part of this work.

Harley McKenna (they/them) is a full-spectrum doula, certified postpartum doula, and certified lactation counselor who has supported families in Central Vermont since 2020.

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As a member of the Community Doula Care Program and Doula Case Manager with The Doula Project at Washington County Mental Health, Harley brings a trauma-informed, BIPOC queer feminist approach to their work. Their goal is to empower clients to make intentional choices, feel fully supported, and experience growth and self-compassion throughout each reproductive journey.

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Harley is deeply committed to supporting diverse family structures and ensuring that doula care is accessible and affirming for all, especially for marginalized communities.

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Their approach to doula care is deeply informed by trauma literacy and BIPOC queer feminism, with a goal of supporting their clients to claim their agency, make intentional and informed choices, feel seen and heard and cared for, and glean all of the growth and self-compassion that each reproductive experience has to offer.

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Mary Kate Shanahan (she/her) is the Executive Director and co-owner of Vermont Doula Company, where she leads a dedicated team to provide compassionate and comprehensive birth and postpartum support across Vermont. 

 

With a background in nurturing both clients and team development, Mary Kate brings a balance of warmth and professionalism to her role. 

 

She’s passionate about guiding families through the transformative stages of pregnancy and postpartum with an emphasis on personalized care and community support. 


Mary Kate is committed to empowering families and doulas alike, enriching the Vermont birth community with knowledge and compassion.

Laura Pascoe (M.S., PhD, CD) is an internationally experienced birth doula, childbirth educator, researcher, and strategic thinker. 

 

Founder of Team Birthhood, she provides evidence-based, compassionate, and inclusive support that empowers birthing people and their partners to feel prepared, respected, and heard from pregnancy through postpartum. 

 

Laura co-founded DAV because she is passionate about advocating for equitable access to doula services and ensuring sustainable conditions for doulas. 

 

Based in the Upper Valley of Vermont, she is committed to fostering dignity, care, and positive birth experiences for all families, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Kathy Wohlfort (MS, CD(DONA) HCHD) became a doula in 2017 after 25 years of wildlife research in New Hampshire and Vermont. 

 

Kathy enjoys supporting pregnant people and their partners as they navigate our complicated, often overwhelming and confusing medical system.  

 

Kathy is committed to using evidence-based information to prepare people for birth, build confidence in their preferences and creating space to use their voice at any time. 

 

She joined DAV because the support doulas give should be accessible to anyone regardless of circumstances and sustainable to those who choose to be doulas.

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