4th Trimester Conference
We believe comprehensive, equitable postpartum support will only occur when we move beyond fragmented interventions and toward a collaborative approach.
2024 Conference
Nurturing Parenthood
Join us for Arizona’s only event created just for new and expectant parents and those who support them! Meet experts, find community, and explore tools to manage the mental, physical and emotional changes in the first 5 years of parenthood.
This year’s 4th Trimester Arizona Conference brings together our Community across Arizona IN PERSON to Nurture Parenthood as we connect, receive support and education, and heal as a collective.
Whether you want to learn, to connect, to relax or to heal, you’ll find sessions and workshops to love! Session topics include EFT and Movement in Postpartum Care, Perinatal Anxiety, Postpartum Prep, Finding Your Village, Social and Emotional Development in Children, Sound Healing, Self Care, Transitioning Back to Work, and much more!
This year’s Speakers.
Lauren Fucci
Lauren Fucci is the Director of a School Counseling program and a Pediatric Sleep Specialist. She has always been drawn to helping others, and after becoming a Mom, realized there was a big gap in education surrounding normal infant sleep and the value of a mother's intuition. She has 12 years of experience in working to support mental health first in adults, then children & now in mothers and babies. Lauren has a Bachelors in Psychology, a Masters in Social Work and is a licensed Social Worker & Certified School Counselor. She most recently became passionate about supporting mothers & babies and became a certified pediatric sleep consultant with a holistic focus. Lauren has a passion for helping Moms find their inner voice & natural intuition that is within them. Her favorite thing to say is "I can help provide you a map but only you can choose the direction".
Mireille Nashimoto
Is a mother of 4 young women. She is a dance instructor, EFT practitioner, holistic health and wellness coach, and passionate advocate of sustainable living. She has been a dancer her whole life, studying various styles of dance. With a background in holistic health, therapeutic massage therapy, this eventually led her to discover EFT Tapping. It aided her through an extremely challenging time as she experienced PPD and struggled with her identity as a woman, mom, entrepreneur. EFT changed her whole outlook and inspired her to become certified as a practitioner in 2021. She works one on one offering private EFT sessions, group workshops, dance classes for youth and specialty wellness and dance workshops for adults. She operates out of an off-grid, solar powered dance studio in NW Tucson. She has digital offerings for expectant mothers as well as a couple books on Amazon titled, Belly Dance for the Prenatal Season, and, The Sustainable Path: A Beginner’s Handbook for Eco-Friendly Living. You can also find her at the Rillito Farmers Markets on Sundays in Tucson supporting Awareness Ranch, and sustainable farm and construction company that grows food sustainably and builds natural homes.
Jennifer Hoeprich
CPM is a licensed midwife, practicing in the Valley for over a decade. She is also a Maternal Wellness Coach focusing on community-building, and has facilitated Workshops, Weekend Retreats, Day Retreats, and programs for moms, here in the Valley, since 2014. Jennifer serves as the Virtual Village Lead for 4th Trimester AZ, and is a mother to an adult son and 6-year-old daughter.
Diane Palacios
LPC LISAC PMH-C - Diane Palacios LPC, LISAC, PMH-C is the owner and psychotherapist at Palacios Crew Counseling LLC, a small group perinatal practice and has grown up in AZ, is an intercultural marriage for over 13 years with three children ages 11, 10, and 8.Diane has worked in the mental health field and has served the community in many capacities for over 27years. She graduated from NAU with a BA in Psychology in 2002. Diane then moved to Pasadena, CA to attend Fuller Theological Seminary and graduated in 2004 with a Masters in Multicultural Ministries and Hispanic Studies and is bilingual in Spanish and English. In 2009, Diane went back to graduate school at Grand Canyon University and graduated in 2011 with a double Masters in Professional Counseling and Addictions Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Independent Substance Use Counselor (LISAC) as well as an Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Approved Clinical Supervisor. Diane is a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional and a Certified EMDR therapist and an Approved EMDR Consultant who specializes in working with birthing people and families in the perinatal period by helping new parents adjust to the changes in life, processing birth trauma, grief and loss, or previous trauma, as well as treating Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Diane serves on the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners as well as is a board member of Post -Partum Support International-Arizona Chapter.
Dena Tibsherany
Is a Licensed Master Level Social Worker who is certified in Perinatal Mental Health who has built and founded One World Empowered LLC, a community dedicated to empowering healing across the world through 1:1 coaching, hosting her Empower 2 Heal Podcast, leading online courses, and through her Mamas Club community that brings the missing link of community to healing in motherhood. For the past 10+ years, Dena has practiced social work in the mental health field as a clinician, leader, program developer, director, and business owner. Dena values continuing her education and experience in healing, allowing her to strengthen her own practices and her teachings in the community.
D. Monet Greene
D. Monet has a diverse background that spans the fields of public and women’s health, education, nutrition, health equity, and mindfulness. She holds two master’s degrees and is a certified Yoga (200 hour), Sound, and Yoga Nidra Meditation practitioner and teacher. She is currently in advanced Ayurvedic Nutrition and Yin Yoga certification programs. She presents on the benefits of mindfulness and provides healing Yoga Nidra Meditation and Sound sessions at various diverse conferences, webinars, and other events nationally. She is passionate about health equity, access to care, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the healing benefits of breath work, meditation, movement, and nutrition.
Michelle Lacy
MA, LPC, PMH-C s a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Perinatal Mental Health clinician. Michelle is a founding member and Executive Director of Women’s Health Innovations of Arizona a licensed outpatient treatment center specializing in the mental health needs around pregnancy, postpartum and parenting. Michelle has been a member of Postpartum Support International since 2002 and serves as a state coordinator, national trainer, and subject matter expert. Michelle also served as Board President for Postpartum Support International’s Arizona Chapter in the past. Michelle received her master’s degree from the University of Arizona in Rehabilitation Counseling and has been practicing since 1995. Michelle has worked in the non-profit arena and in private practice serving women and families since then. She has extensive training in treating trauma, is EMDR trained and ERP certified.
Tandie Myles
LCSW, IMH-E®, RPT/S, PMH-C is a licensed clinical social worker, the owner and therapist of Anchored in Hope Therapy Services, LLC. Tandie specializes in the treatment of perinatal and early childhood mental health issues. She provides mental health services to pregnant and postpartum women as well as general mental health therapy services to women. Tandie provides relationship-based therapy services with caregivers and children. She considers it an honor to have served children and families in Arizona for the past 20 years. Tandie started her career in 2005 after earning her Master of Social Work degree from Arizona State University in 2005. She completed the two-year Infant/Family Clinical Practice program with the Harris Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Training Institute in 2009. Tandie is endorsed by the Infant Toddler Mental Health Coalition of Arizona as an Infant Mental Health Specialist (Level 3 Clinical) and is also a Registered Play Therapist by Association of Play Therapy. Recently, she was able to become certified in Perinatal Mental Health by Postpartum Support International. Tandie has worked as an Integrated Behavioral Health Consultant in primary care health care centers (family practice, pediatrics, and women’s health) and truly enjoyed working in the women’s health and pediatric clinic. Her unique lens in perinatal and infant mental health allowed her to provide her expertise in helping caregivers understand their needs as well as the needs of their children. Her approach is rooted in child development, attachment theory, informed by neuroscience and trauma-informed research, to provide developmental and relationship-based therapy. Tandie provides mental health consultation to community organizations and programs and provides trainings on infant mental health, pregnant and postpartum issues, child development, and other related topics to parents, professionals, and community organizations. In her work, Tandie Myles hopes to address challenges while promoting resilience and wholeness in parents and children to reach their full potential.
Kay Clinton
Is a passionate community health worker and full-spectrum doula committed to enhancing maternal health and providing comprehensive support to her community. With a proven track record of dedication and hard work, Kay has made significant contributions in the field of community health by providing education, advocacy, and support to underserved populations. Kay's expertise in maternal health has been honed through years of experience in the field, as well as her commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest research and best practices. She has a demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with clients and community stakeholders, and her compassionate and non-judgmental approach has earned her a reputation as a trusted and valued member of the community.
Danielle Lerner
Is an Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist turned media consultant, PR support specialist and full-time mom. After more than 15 years working in local news markets across the country, Danielle stepped away from the anchor desk in 2022 to utilize her communications expertise in new ways, and to spend more time with her husband, Al, and their three daughters, 5-year-old Addison, 3-year-old Harper and Charlotte, who will turn one next month.Danielle’s most recent stint in local news brought her back home to Phoenix as an anchor and reporter at ABC15. It was there, after more than a decade of telling other people’s stories, Danielle decided to share her family’s own journey with severe postpartum depression and anxiety after the birth of her second daughter in 2019. Her three-part series on maternal mental health received immense praise from the community and was recognized with a regional EMMY award. However, and most importantly, it solidified Danielle’s mission to advocate for preventing, treating and raising awareness about perinatal mood disorders.Danielle has a Master's Degree in Journalism from Northwestern University, and attended Saint Mary's College in South Bend, Indiana, where she studied Mass Communications and English Writing, and developed a deep love for Notre Dame football!
Eileen Caito
Tucson Village Lead Eileen R. Caito is the owner of Shooting Star Doula Services located in Tucson. She is a postpartum doula, a lactation counselor and in the process of becoming a perinatal maternal health certified provider. She is providing reassurance, information, hands-on and virtual support to families after the baby is home. Eileen is the Lead and facilitating the 4th Trimester Arizona, Tucson Village which is available on the 4th Wednesday of each month on Zoom and Facebook. Eileen also serves on The Pima North Council of First Things First, and offers volunteer support to Easter Seals Blake Foundation Nurse Family Partnerships' families. Eileen and Tom have two adult children and love their furry children.
Racquelle Adkisson
West Valley Village Lead Racquelle is a full spectrum Doula and Childbirth Educator, supporting families through birth, postpartum and times of bereavement. She understands every family can have a different story and has been called to support them all. As a mother of four herself, she knows that it takes a village to nurture a family. Understanding of the vast differences in family dynamics, she encourages parents to think about and choose what truly works best for their situation. "Your best choice is not my best choice." She wants to empower them with the knowledge and guidance to find their way.
Kimberly Moore- Salas
Kim is born for Naakaii Diné (Mexican People) and from Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak People) clans. Born in Tuba City, maternally from Tolani Lake, AZ located in the southwestern area of the Navajo Nation. Growing up on and off the Navajo Nation, and residing in various tribal communities throughout her life, Kim is passionate about utilizing her education and experience to promote healthy living through kinship values. Kim has been an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant over 10 years of experience in peer-counseling, clinical and educational lactation. Kim’s work has been inclusive of tribal and culturally diverse communities serving the needs of prenatal, newborns, and post-partum mothers and families. She is a Co-Instructor for the Indigenous Breastfeeding Counselor training course providing cultural breastfeeding and clinical education to those that can serve their community throughout Turtle Island. She also has independently work with Changing Woman Initiative assisting families with breastfeeding support out of New Mexico. They are free access birth center serving Indigenous women to reproductive wellness. She just completed her second term on the United States Breastfeeding Committee Board of Directors. Kim worked at ValleyWise Health Medical Center as a hospital lactation consultant for almost nine years assisting families in the areas of prenatal, postpartum, labor and delivery and NICU. During the pandemic she served the front lines and assisted many mothers with COVID with breastfeeding. She also worked on hospital policies and projects to improve breastfeeding rates. In December 2020, she implemented the first Arizona Lactation Mentorship Pilot Program at Valleywise Hospital mentoring threeinterns. This provides the students access to clinical lactation hours to create strategic initiatives to bring BIPOC diversity, equity, and inclusion to the field of lactation. She is a member of the Advisory Council Committee for the Navajo Breastfeeding Coalition, a full spectrum Doula and a community advocate for Arizona and now for California. She’s also assisted many families nationally. This role involved home and virtual visits serving the BIPOC community. Kim’s extensive experience in this field has led to opportunities in consulting, which along with her husband synthesized their consulting business in Tribal Indemnity. Within three years, Tribal Indemnity has assumed responsibility of complex projects and strategic planning with one of the largest Tribes in Arizona. She recently established her own small business, Indigenous Breastfeeding Az, dba. Providing lactation support, community building and collaboration. Kimberly moved to Northern California with her family and has continued to maintain her working relationships and other projects in Arizona. Locally she’s been providing lactation and doula support with local Indigenous communities. Kim enjoys spending time with her husband of twenty-five years and three daughters of whom she breastfed until they were 2 years old. She also loves early morning runs, hiking, boxing and yoga.
Lakisa Muhammad
Black Mamas Support Village Lead =:Lakisa Muhammad is a fierce activist, storyteller, educator, and cultural preservationist. She is the founder and owner of A Mother’s Worth Birth Services. She is also the executive director of the Phoenix Birth Foundation. She identifies as the quintessential Black, Southern auntie with lots of love and a bit of bougie for taste. When she’s not helping parents welcome babies into the world, she may be found crafting, gardening, and mothering her 3 children. Utilizing the softness of the divine feminine and the drive of a heart of service, she creates self-awareness that will remove barriers and erect stepping stones to success for herself, her family, and her community. Be it owning your personal best in life, creating the birth experience you desire, or manifesting your birthwork journey, Lakisa is a star maker.
Dr. Jennie Bever: President and CEO
Dr. Jennie Bever holds her Doctorate in Biology from UC San Diego, and a B.S. in Biochemistry from ASU. After a rough transition to parenthood with her 3rd child, Jennie recognized the need for more awareness and community support around the first months and years postpartum, which led her to found 4th Trimester Arizona in 2017. In addition to her nonprofit work, Jennie works as a Lactation Consultant, and also serves as a member of the ADHS Maternal Mortality Review Committee, the State Maternal Mental Health Task Force and the Maternal and Child Health Translational Research Team at Arizona State University.
Joy Burkhard, MBA
Joy is the founder and executive director of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health. She founded the organization in 2011 after leading policy work in California to address maternal mental health and experiencing the loss of her brother to suicide. Joy spent nearly 25 years working for Cigna as a state policy and quality improvement leader. She is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist's expert workgroup on Maternal Mental Health, the Federal Maternal Mental Health Task Force, and is a board member of the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (the nation’s first agency working to solve the U.S.’s maternal mortality crisis), and The Health Care Transformation Task Force. She is the Board Chair of Mom Congress, an organization she founded and the Policy Center incubated. Joy has received numerous awards, including The American Public Health Association’s Maternal Child Health Leadership and Advocacy Award and The Emerging Leader Award in Women's Health from the federal Health and Human Services Agency, Office of Women's Health. Joy holds an MBA from Regis University and lives with her husband and two high-schoolers in Los Angeles, California.
Lauren Fucci
Lauren Fucci is the Director of a School Counseling program and a Pediatric Sleep Specialist. She has always been drawn to helping others, and after becoming a Mom, realized there was a big gap in education surrounding normal infant sleep and the value of a mother's intuition. She has 12 years of experience in working to support mental health first in adults, then children & now in mothers and babies. Lauren has a Bachelors in Psychology, a Masters in Social Work and is a licensed Social Worker & Certified School Counselor. She most recently became passionate about supporting mothers & babies and became a certified pediatric sleep consultant with a holistic focus. Lauren has a passion for helping Moms find their inner voice & natural intuition that is within them. Her favorite thing to say is "I can help provide you a map but only you can choose the direction".
Mireille Nashimoto
Is a mother of 4 young women. She is a dance instructor, EFT practitioner, holistic health and wellness coach, and passionate advocate of sustainable living. She has been a dancer her whole life, studying various styles of dance. With a background in holistic health, therapeutic massage therapy, this eventually led her to discover EFT Tapping. It aided her through an extremely challenging time as she experienced PPD and struggled with her identity as a woman, mom, entrepreneur. EFT changed her whole outlook and inspired her to become certified as a practitioner in 2021. She works one on one offering private EFT sessions, group workshops, dance classes for youth and specialty wellness and dance workshops for adults. She operates out of an off-grid, solar powered dance studio in NW Tucson. She has digital offerings for expectant mothers as well as a couple books on Amazon titled, Belly Dance for the Prenatal Season, and, The Sustainable Path: A Beginner’s Handbook for Eco-Friendly Living. You can also find her at the Rillito Farmers Markets on Sundays in Tucson supporting Awareness Ranch, and sustainable farm and construction company that grows food sustainably and builds natural homes.
Jennifer Hoeprich
CPM is a licensed midwife, practicing in the Valley for over a decade. She is also a Maternal Wellness Coach focusing on community-building, and has facilitated Workshops, Weekend Retreats, Day Retreats, and programs for moms, here in the Valley, since 2014. Jennifer serves as the Virtual Village Lead for 4th Trimester AZ, and is a mother to an adult son and 6-year-old daughter.
Diane Palacios
LPC LISAC PMH-C - Diane Palacios LPC, LISAC, PMH-C is the owner and psychotherapist at Palacios Crew Counseling LLC, a small group perinatal practice and has grown up in AZ, is an intercultural marriage for over 13 years with three children ages 11, 10, and 8.Diane has worked in the mental health field and has served the community in many capacities for over 27years. She graduated from NAU with a BA in Psychology in 2002. Diane then moved to Pasadena, CA to attend Fuller Theological Seminary and graduated in 2004 with a Masters in Multicultural Ministries and Hispanic Studies and is bilingual in Spanish and English. In 2009, Diane went back to graduate school at Grand Canyon University and graduated in 2011 with a double Masters in Professional Counseling and Addictions Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Independent Substance Use Counselor (LISAC) as well as an Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Approved Clinical Supervisor. Diane is a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional and a Certified EMDR therapist and an Approved EMDR Consultant who specializes in working with birthing people and families in the perinatal period by helping new parents adjust to the changes in life, processing birth trauma, grief and loss, or previous trauma, as well as treating Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Diane serves on the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners as well as is a board member of Post -Partum Support International-Arizona Chapter.
Dena Tibsherany
Is a Licensed Master Level Social Worker who is certified in Perinatal Mental Health who has built and founded One World Empowered LLC, a community dedicated to empowering healing across the world through 1:1 coaching, hosting her Empower 2 Heal Podcast, leading online courses, and through her Mamas Club community that brings the missing link of community to healing in motherhood. For the past 10+ years, Dena has practiced social work in the mental health field as a clinician, leader, program developer, director, and business owner. Dena values continuing her education and experience in healing, allowing her to strengthen her own practices and her teachings in the community.
D. Monet Greene
D. Monet has a diverse background that spans the fields of public and women’s health, education, nutrition, health equity, and mindfulness. She holds two master’s degrees and is a certified Yoga (200 hour), Sound, and Yoga Nidra Meditation practitioner and teacher. She is currently in advanced Ayurvedic Nutrition and Yin Yoga certification programs. She presents on the benefits of mindfulness and provides healing Yoga Nidra Meditation and Sound sessions at various diverse conferences, webinars, and other events nationally. She is passionate about health equity, access to care, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the healing benefits of breath work, meditation, movement, and nutrition.
Michelle Lacy
MA, LPC, PMH-C s a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Perinatal Mental Health clinician. Michelle is a founding member and Executive Director of Women’s Health Innovations of Arizona a licensed outpatient treatment center specializing in the mental health needs around pregnancy, postpartum and parenting. Michelle has been a member of Postpartum Support International since 2002 and serves as a state coordinator, national trainer, and subject matter expert. Michelle also served as Board President for Postpartum Support International’s Arizona Chapter in the past. Michelle received her master’s degree from the University of Arizona in Rehabilitation Counseling and has been practicing since 1995. Michelle has worked in the non-profit arena and in private practice serving women and families since then. She has extensive training in treating trauma, is EMDR trained and ERP certified.
Tandie Myles
LCSW, IMH-E®, RPT/S, PMH-C is a licensed clinical social worker, the owner and therapist of Anchored in Hope Therapy Services, LLC. Tandie specializes in the treatment of perinatal and early childhood mental health issues. She provides mental health services to pregnant and postpartum women as well as general mental health therapy services to women. Tandie provides relationship-based therapy services with caregivers and children. She considers it an honor to have served children and families in Arizona for the past 20 years. Tandie started her career in 2005 after earning her Master of Social Work degree from Arizona State University in 2005. She completed the two-year Infant/Family Clinical Practice program with the Harris Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Training Institute in 2009. Tandie is endorsed by the Infant Toddler Mental Health Coalition of Arizona as an Infant Mental Health Specialist (Level 3 Clinical) and is also a Registered Play Therapist by Association of Play Therapy. Recently, she was able to become certified in Perinatal Mental Health by Postpartum Support International. Tandie has worked as an Integrated Behavioral Health Consultant in primary care health care centers (family practice, pediatrics, and women’s health) and truly enjoyed working in the women’s health and pediatric clinic. Her unique lens in perinatal and infant mental health allowed her to provide her expertise in helping caregivers understand their needs as well as the needs of their children. Her approach is rooted in child development, attachment theory, informed by neuroscience and trauma-informed research, to provide developmental and relationship-based therapy. Tandie provides mental health consultation to community organizations and programs and provides trainings on infant mental health, pregnant and postpartum issues, child development, and other related topics to parents, professionals, and community organizations. In her work, Tandie Myles hopes to address challenges while promoting resilience and wholeness in parents and children to reach their full potential.
Kay Clinton
Is a passionate community health worker and full-spectrum doula committed to enhancing maternal health and providing comprehensive support to her community. With a proven track record of dedication and hard work, Kay has made significant contributions in the field of community health by providing education, advocacy, and support to underserved populations. Kay's expertise in maternal health has been honed through years of experience in the field, as well as her commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest research and best practices. She has a demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with clients and community stakeholders, and her compassionate and non-judgmental approach has earned her a reputation as a trusted and valued member of the community.
Danielle Lerner
Is an Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist turned media consultant, PR support specialist and full-time mom. After more than 15 years working in local news markets across the country, Danielle stepped away from the anchor desk in 2022 to utilize her communications expertise in new ways, and to spend more time with her husband, Al, and their three daughters, 5-year-old Addison, 3-year-old Harper and Charlotte, who will turn one next month.Danielle’s most recent stint in local news brought her back home to Phoenix as an anchor and reporter at ABC15. It was there, after more than a decade of telling other people’s stories, Danielle decided to share her family’s own journey with severe postpartum depression and anxiety after the birth of her second daughter in 2019. Her three-part series on maternal mental health received immense praise from the community and was recognized with a regional EMMY award. However, and most importantly, it solidified Danielle’s mission to advocate for preventing, treating and raising awareness about perinatal mood disorders.Danielle has a Master's Degree in Journalism from Northwestern University, and attended Saint Mary's College in South Bend, Indiana, where she studied Mass Communications and English Writing, and developed a deep love for Notre Dame football!
Eileen Caito
Tucson Village Lead Eileen R. Caito is the owner of Shooting Star Doula Services located in Tucson. She is a postpartum doula, a lactation counselor and in the process of becoming a perinatal maternal health certified provider. She is providing reassurance, information, hands-on and virtual support to families after the baby is home. Eileen is the Lead and facilitating the 4th Trimester Arizona, Tucson Village which is available on the 4th Wednesday of each month on Zoom and Facebook. Eileen also serves on The Pima North Council of First Things First, and offers volunteer support to Easter Seals Blake Foundation Nurse Family Partnerships' families. Eileen and Tom have two adult children and love their furry children.
Racquelle Adkisson
West Valley Village Lead Racquelle is a full spectrum Doula and Childbirth Educator, supporting families through birth, postpartum and times of bereavement. She understands every family can have a different story and has been called to support them all. As a mother of four herself, she knows that it takes a village to nurture a family. Understanding of the vast differences in family dynamics, she encourages parents to think about and choose what truly works best for their situation. "Your best choice is not my best choice." She wants to empower them with the knowledge and guidance to find their way.
Kimberly Moore-Salas
Kim is born for Naakaii Diné (Mexican People) and from Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak People) clans. Born in Tuba City, maternally from Tolani Lake, AZ located in the southwestern area of the Navajo Nation. Growing up on and off the Navajo Nation, and residing in various tribal communities throughout her life, Kim is passionate about utilizing her education and experience to promote healthy living through kinship values. Kim has been an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant over 10 years of experience in peer-counseling, clinical and educational lactation. Kim’s work has been inclusive of tribal and culturally diverse communities serving the needs of prenatal, newborns, and post-partum mothers and families. She is a Co-Instructor for the Indigenous Breastfeeding Counselor training course providing cultural breastfeeding and clinical education to those that can serve their community throughout Turtle Island. She also has independently work with Changing Woman Initiative assisting families with breastfeeding support out of New Mexico. They are free access birth center serving Indigenous women to reproductive wellness. She just completed her second term on the United States Breastfeeding Committee Board of Directors. Kim worked at ValleyWise Health Medical Center as a hospital lactation consultant for almost nine years assisting families in the areas of prenatal, postpartum, labor and delivery and NICU. During the pandemic she served the front lines and assisted many mothers with COVID with breastfeeding. She also worked on hospital policies and projects to improve breastfeeding rates. In December 2020, she implemented the first Arizona Lactation Mentorship Pilot Program at Valleywise Hospital mentoring threeinterns. This provides the students access to clinical lactation hours to create strategic initiatives to bring BIPOC diversity, equity, and inclusion to the field of lactation. She is a member of the Advisory Council Committee for the Navajo Breastfeeding Coalition, a full spectrum Doula and a community advocate for Arizona and now for California. She’s also assisted many families nationally. This role involved home and virtual visits serving the BIPOC community. Kim’s extensive experience in this field has led to opportunities in consulting, which along with her husband synthesized their consulting business in Tribal Indemnity. Within three years, Tribal Indemnity has assumed responsibility of complex projects and strategic planning with one of the largest Tribes in Arizona. She recently established her own small business, Indigenous Breastfeeding Az, dba. Providing lactation support, community building and collaboration. Kimberly moved to Northern California with her family and has continued to maintain her working relationships and other projects in Arizona. Locally she’s been providing lactation and doula support with local Indigenous communities. Kim enjoys spending time with her husband of twenty-five years and three daughters of whom she breastfed until they were 2 years old. She also loves early morning runs, hiking, boxing and yoga.
Lakisa Muhammad
Black Mamas Support Village Lead =:Lakisa Muhammad is a fierce activist, storyteller, educator, and cultural preservationist. She is the founder and owner of A Mother’s Worth Birth Services. She is also the executive director of the Phoenix Birth Foundation. She identifies as the quintessential Black, Southern auntie with lots of love and a bit of bougie for taste. When she’s not helping parents welcome babies into the world, she may be found crafting, gardening, and mothering her 3 children. Utilizing the softness of the divine feminine and the drive of a heart of service, she creates self-awareness that will remove barriers and erect stepping stones to success for herself, her family, and her community. Be it owning your personal best in life, creating the birth experience you desire, or manifesting your birthwork journey, Lakisa is a star maker.
Dr. Jennie Bever: President and CEO
Dr. Jennie Bever holds her Doctorate in Biology from UC San Diego, and a B.S. in Biochemistry from ASU. After a rough transition to parenthood with her 3rd child, Jennie recognized the need for more awareness and community support around the first months and years postpartum, which led her to found 4th Trimester Arizona in 2017. In addition to her nonprofit work, Jennie works as a Lactation Consultant, and also serves as a member of the ADHS Maternal Mortality Review Committee, the State Maternal Mental Health Task Force and the Maternal and Child Health Translational Research Team at Arizona State University.
Jennifer Johnson
Jennifer currently resides in Phoenix, AZ and is originally from the Navajo Nation. She works as a licensed clinical social worker in the Valley. She is a granddaughter, daughter, sister, cousin, mother, grandmother, auntie, friend, companion and Earth relative. Jennifer is the daughter of Diane and Dan Johnson. Her Maternal Clans are French-Canadian/Polish and her Paternal Clans are Denay/Navajo-Manygoats/Red Streak Running Into Water Clan. Jennifer and her companion Armando are the proud parents of daughters Kiara, age 20 and Kailani, age 1.
Joy Burkhard, MBA
Joy is the founder and executive director of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health. She founded the organization in 2011 after leading policy work in California to address maternal mental health and experiencing the loss of her brother to suicide. Joy spent nearly 25 years working for Cigna as a state policy and quality improvement leader. She is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist's expert workgroup on Maternal Mental Health, the Federal Maternal Mental Health Task Force, and is a board member of the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (the nation’s first agency working to solve the U.S.’s maternal mortality crisis), and The Health Care Transformation Task Force. She is the Board Chair of Mom Congress, an organization she founded and the Policy Center incubated. Joy has received numerous awards, including The American Public Health Association’s Maternal Child Health Leadership and Advocacy Award and The Emerging Leader Award in Women's Health from the federal Health and Human Services Agency, Office of Women's Health. Joy holds an MBA from Regis University and lives with her husband and two high-schoolers in Los Angeles, California.
Dianne McCallister
Dianne McCallister is a partner at Public Policy Partners, LLC. She joined the Public Policy Partners, LLC team in 2008. During her tenure, she has successfully lobbied on behalf of several Fortune 500 companies and government entities. She offers a vast array of policy expertise in health care, energy, technology, pharmaceuticals, retirement, economic development, and municipal issues. She works closely with our clients to develop legislative strategies, build grassroots efforts, and lobby at the Arizona Legislature and the Executive Branch. Additionally, she has helped clients maneuver through the local government process. Ms. McCallister received her Bachelor of Science in Economics, with a supplemental major in Law and Society from New Mexico State University. She is currently on the board of Resilient Health, a behavioral health provider, and is the former Board President for Downtown Urban Community Kids, a Christian non-profit organization. In 2015 she was awarded the \"Best Female Lobbyist Under 40,\" and in 2019, she was recognized as an Arizona Capitol Times \"Breakout.\" Dianne was also actively engaged in the creation, negotiations and passage of many of the patient access to care bills that have been advanced in Arizona in recent years.
Beth Haas
Beth has been in the early childhood development and education field for over 30 years. Since moving to Arizona in 2003, Beth has focused on educating parents and teachers on the importance of early childhood. First as co-owner of a child safety company then through positions at the Arizona Department of Education, Chandler Unified School District, and Arizona State University. Most recently, Beth is working with First Things First, Arizona’s state agency for Early Childhood health, safety and education as a Community Engagement Coordinator helping to educate and engage the communities of Southeast Maricopa.
Councilmember Julie Spilsbury
District 2 - Central & South Central Mesa Elected to the Mesa City Council in August of 2020, Councilmember Julie Spilsbury began her first term representing District 2 in January of 2021. Her term on the Council runs until January of 2025. A product of Mesa Public Schools (MPS) for her entire education, Spilsbury has been active for more than 20 years in local schools, earning an award from MPS for her volunteer work. Both of her parents were teachers, instilling in her a drive to support those who lead our children. Julie and her husband Jeremy ran a small tree care company for more than 20 years. They have lived in District 2 for almost their entire 26 years of marriage and have six children, five girls and one boy. She attended Brigham Young University. Council Committees Community & Cultural Development - Chair Economic Development City Advisory Boards & Committees City Benefits Advisory Committee Education & Workforce Development Roundtable - Chair Arizona Boards and Committees Mesa United Way Board of Directors i.d.e.a. Museum Board of Directors United Food Bank Board of Directors National Boards and Committees National League of Cities Youth, Education and Families (YEF) Council National League of Cities Vice Chair of Finance, Administration and Intergovernmental Relations (FAIR) Federal Advocacy Committee.
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Featured Events.
Infant Feeding Village
May the 4th Be With You – Infant Feeding Village Open House!
4th Trimester East Valley Village at the Idea Museum Community Gathering
Indigenous Parent Village Gathering- Supporting Indigenous Parents
4T Conference 2024
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