Melinda McMichael serves as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Supervisor/ Doula at Haymarket Treatment Center. With six years of experience in the recovery field, she focuses on supporting pregnant and postpartum women and their families impacted by substance use disorders and mental health challenges. Utilizing her lived experiences, Melinda provides comprehensive services aimed at improving recovery outcomes. Her areas of specialization include motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and advocacy for underrepresented populations through peer support and doula services. At Haymarket Center, she supervises clients in early recovery as they pursue certification from the Illinois Certification Board (ICB) for peer recovery support. Additionally, Melinda supervises and mentors two new Peer Doulas, sharing both personal insights and professional knowledge about the role. As a woman in long-term recovery, she has maintained a program of complete abstinence since January 29, 2018.

Melinda is a dedicated professional who obtained her Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) credential from the Illinois Certification Board in 2021. In the same year, she earned her Childbirth Doula CD(DONA) certification and then became internationally certified as a Full Spectrum Birth and Postpartum Doula through DONA International in 2022. With experience in assisting over 20 drug-free births, Melinda is currently pursuing a degree in Applied Science for Human Service Professionals at Purdue University Global and has been accepted into two honor societies, the National Society for Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) and Phi Theta Kappa.

In addition to her educational pursuits, Melinda actively contributes to her community by serving on three advisory boards for Salt and Light Coalition, a non-profit organization that supports women affected by sexual exploitation and trafficking. She also serves on the board at Malcolm X College for their CPRS/CRSS Educational Program and collaborates with the State of Illinois and DCFS on Plans of Safe Care initiatives.

Chantal Traub is an inspirational international speaker, seasoned doula, childbirth educator and Polyvagal-informed coach. In her 20-plus years of practice, she has become internationally well-known for her expertise on the pelvic floor and her Pushing Power workshops which are endorsed by midwives and physicians. Through her classes, her one-on-one work, and her doula and coaching practice, Traub has helped thousands of women give birth without trauma. Expanding her expertise beyond childbirth, Chantal now supports women of all ages and life stages, addressing their health needs through a holistic approach to pelvic floor health and nervous system regulation. She is a course partner with the Polyvagal Institute, regularly teaches for the Global Pelvic Health Alliance and My Pelvic Floor Muscles. Chantal's work has been published in Pathways to Family Wellness (2024). She co-authored two books; "The Pelvic Floor: Everything You Needed to Know Sooner" (2022). and contributed her chapter on Creating a Sense of Safety in Birth: Fostering Connection and Co-regulation to Minimize Trauma for parents and Baby in Somatic-Oriented Therapies: Embodiment, Trauma, and Polyvagal Perspectives, published by Norton. Her insights have been featured on Next Question with Katie Couric, The Women’s Health Podcast and Pathways to Family Wellness. Chantal lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband and two teenagers, and finds joy in outdoor adventures, cold-water dips, and traveling with loved ones.

www.chantaltraub.com

Katy Backes Kozhimannil, PhD, MPA is the Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health. She is Director of the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center and Co-Director of the University of Minnesota Rural Health Program. Dr. Kozhimannil lives on Dakota land (Mahto Bde).

Dr. Kozhimannil conducts research to inform health policy that impacts critical times in the lifecourse, including pregnancy and childbirth. The goal of her work is to contribute to the evidence base for clinical and policy strategies to advance racial, gender, and geographic equity.

Media coverage of her Dr. Kozhimannil’s research, including stories by the New York Times, Washington Post, and National Public Radio, has generated dialogue and policy action at local, state, and national levels. In 2013, Dr. Kozhimannil’s groundbreaking research was the first to bridge clinical evidence of the benefits of doulas support with policy efforts to increase access to these services by showing potential cost savings to state Medicaid programs that offer coverage of doula services. Findings from this research has led to laws in many U.S. states to increase access to doula care, including through Medicaid reimbursement.

Indra is a birth justice attorney who loves to tackle new territory, dive-in to cutting-edge issues and ideas, and navigate periods of change and uncertainty. Indra is the founder of Elephant Circle and the Birth Rights Bar Association, and served as Staff Attorney at National Advocates for Pregnant Women. Indra practices a multidisciplinary approach including legal advocacy, community-based lobbying and rulemaking, community organizing, arts and education. Indra regularly speaks about birth justice, informed consent, and policy approaches to substance use and pregnancy. Indra received a J.D. from the University of Denver. Indra conceptualized and lead the Birth Justice Landscape Analysis, including convening the team of diverse researchers.

Gary Romano, CEO of Civitas Strategies, a prominent management consulting firm, boasts a diverse background in public policy, science and engineering, nonprofit fundraising, and program development. With a track record of achievements, he has achieved notable milestones and made significant contributions in the lives of millions of families and children that uplift marginalized populations and promote business stability. In 2009, he founded Civitas Strategies, growing it from a one-person firm to a team of 20. Gary’s visionary leadership addresses challenges faced by small businesses and his work has helped to stabilize businesses nationwide. He is a recognized speaker, award recipient, and author. His publications include Small But Mighty: Changing the World Through Consulting, Lean Recruitment, and his newest book, Finding Your North Star, which details his approach to strategic planning honed in over 35 years of practice. Committed to social causes, Gary serves on nonprofit boards and mentors small businesses, embodying integrity and ethics in his pursuit of positive global impact.

Dusti Murray grew up in Hanson Kentucky. She now lives in Belton Ky on a small farm with her Husband Russell and 3 children Maveric, Lahna and Mia… And many animals. Dusti has a degree in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education and taught at Providence Elementary.

Dusti is now a Certified Birth Doula through DONA as well as a trained Postpartum Doula through Birth Arts International, a Trained Childbirth Educator through Lamaze and a Bereavement Doula. She owns her own business called The Journey Doula Services, where she serves the women in her community during their pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Her goal and passion is to help make pregnancy, birth and postpartum better for each woman she serves while also creating and gathering a wealth of resources in her community.

Dusti is currently the Chair for the DONA Advocacy Committee, Secretary for the Maternal Health Council and a Board Member for the Kentucky Chapter of PSI. She serves many Kentucky panels and is an ongoing supporter of creating better maternal care for the state of Kentucky.

Natalie S. Burke is a nationally-known speaker, strategist, master facilitator, and public health leader.  As President and CEO of CommonHealth ACTION she works to develop people and organizations to produce health through equitable policies, programs, and practices.

Natalie believes that to alter our collective health destiny, we must change our language; challenge deeply held beliefs about equity in our society, and accept the role we each play in the production of the public’s health.