Our Board
of Directors
Leading with heart. Searving our community
The DAA Board of Directors is made up of passionate doulas from across Alberta who volunteer their time, skills, and experience to support our mission and strengthen our profession.
Meet your Board
These dedicated individuals guide the work of the DAA, ensuring we continue to advocate, educate, and inspire doulas across Alberta.
Operational Leadership
Executive Director
Milly Friedman
The Executive Director / Managing Director provides the day-to-day leadership and strategic direction that keeps the DAA moving forward. Working closely with the Board of Directors, this role brings the big-picture vision to life while overseeing the people, partnerships, finances, communications, advocacy, and operations that support our members and strengthen the association.
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From representing doulas at the government and community level to nurturing partnerships, supporting committees and educational opportunities, overseeing finances and insurance, and ensuring the organization stays on track with its long-term goals, this role helps connect all the moving pieces.
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Reports to: Board of Directors
Oversees: Operational functions of the Association
Compensation: Reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors
More about Milly:
Milly is a respected leader in the birth community and is truly honoured to be the President of the Doula Association of Alberta. She has worked over 15 years as a business owner and entrepreneur, including the last six years as a certified birth doula. Milly is a fetal positioning specialist, Spinning Babies parent educator, certified personal fitness trainer, and nutrition coach. Her foundation of practise is listening and learning; honouring inclusivity, culture and diversity. She is a dynamic, proactive and highly organized person and is known to manage stressful and crisis situations with a calm and methodical demeanour. Milly believes in a balanced lifestyle and is committed to being her best self at work, home and in the community. You can find Milly enjoying the outdoors with her family no matter the weather. She feels grateful to live in this abundant province and enjoys experiencing all it has to offer.
The Governance Board
Chair Person
Kristy Cooper
The Chairperson helps keep the Board focused on the Association’s mission, values, and long-term direction. They facilitate Board meetings, support thoughtful discussion and decision-making, and help ensure the Board remains accountable to its responsibilities and to the membership.
Working alongside the other Board members and the Association’s operational leadership, the Chairperson helps provide clarity, continuity, and good governance without managing the day-to-day operations of the Association.
The Chairperson may step in to provide additional leadership during times of transition or when circumstances require Board involvement in operational matters.
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Reports to: Membership & the Board of Directors
Works closely with: Board of Directors and Executive/Managing Director
Compensation: This is a volunteer, unpaid governance position.
More about Kristy:
Kristy is a birth doula, prairie mama, and Chairperson of the Doula Association of Alberta. After years of walking alongside families through some of life’s biggest moments, Kristy’s passion has grown beyond birth itself. She cares deeply about the people behind the profession — the doulas doing the work, the communities they serve, and creating a stronger, more connected future for doulas across Alberta. With a little prairie practicality, a lot of heart, and a love for bringing people together, Kristy is excited to help guide the DAA into its next chapter and ensure its members feel heard, supported, and proud to be part of the community.
Operational Leadership
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Karmen Weiss
The voice and storyteller of the DAA. The Communications & Media Coordinator helps bring the work of the association to life and keeps our members and community connected.
This role shapes how the DAA shows up publicly — sharing our work, celebrating our members, promoting opportunities, and making sure our communications feel consistent, welcoming, and aligned with who we are.
From social media and website updates to newsletters, event promotion, public communications, and community engagement, this role helps ensure the DAA’s voice is clear, recognizable, and reaching the people who need to hear it.
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Reports to: Board of Directors
Supports: Communications, marketing, and community engagement for the Association
Compensation: Reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors
More about Karmen
After witnessing the powerful transformations of my sisters and close friends as they became mothers, I was inspired to become a postpartum doula when I saw the lack of support systems in modern society. I wanted to offer families the care, reassurance, and nourishment they deserve during this pivotal time, and I’m honored to be a part of their journey. ​ As a postpartum doula, I offer a blend of emotional support, nourishment, and practical assistance to families during the critical postpartum period. Feeding families is my love language, and creating a space where parents feel seen and supported is what fuels my work. I love to prepare meals and snacks that bring both comfort and sustenance, while helping families navigate this time with less stress and more connection. My approach is rooted in listening without judgment, providing evidence-based resources, and prioritizing rest and recovery in the Fourth Trimester. I live in Southeast Edmonton with my husband and our two Dachshunds. When I’m not supporting families, you can often find me gardening, camping, crafting, or spending time with my family.
The Governance Board
Treasurer​
Open for Nominations
The Treasurer provides financial oversight and helps ensure the Association’s finances are managed responsibly, transparently, and in alignment with its mission and long-term goals.
Working alongside the Board and operational leadership, the Treasurer supports budget development and review, monitors the financial health of the Association, helps ensure appropriate financial policies and practices are followed, and supports annual financial reporting and accountability to the membership.
The Treasurer does not manage the Association’s day-to-day financial operations but provides governance-level oversight and helps the Board make informed financial decisions.
Reports to: Membership & Board of Directors
Works closely with: Board of Directors and operational leadership
Compensation: This is a volunteer, unpaid governance position.
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Operational Leadership
Membership Coordinator
Current: Vicki Todd / Open
The Membership & Administration Coordinator helps create a smooth, supportive experience for our members from the moment they join the association and throughout their membership journey. This role keeps the behind-the-scenes details organized while ensuring members have a friendly point of contact when they need support.
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From welcoming new members and coordinating renewals to managing communications, applications, records, meetings, and day-to-day administrative systems, this role helps keep the association connected, organized, and running smoothly.
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Reports to: Board of Directors
Supports: Membership and administrative operations of the Association
Compensation: Reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors
More about Vicki:
My career in Lethbridge has been a trailblazing one, being one of the few doulas in the community when I began. 13 years later I’ve continued to be a leader in the birth community in Southern Alberta and as a Leader I’ve also created opportunities for new doulas to grow and learn. ​ Raised in a home of activism and social justice, the idea of empowering women so that they could have a better experience through birth drove me to become a doula. Every birth I’m present at honours the midwives in my ancestry. Supporting local business is a passion of mine whether it’s delicious coffee, music festivals, or record stores. I have two cats and 2 very active boys and a very supportive partner. ​ I love doing this work. This HEART work, this hard work. I am always humbled when I'm asked to join someone in their labour and birth. Whether it’s teaching infant massage or Lamaze, supporting a birth, educating Partners about the process of birth so they can support their partners, I am fully committed to making sure new parents understand birth and their babies. ​ It has been an honor to work with the families of Southern Alberta over the years.
The Governance Board
Secretary
Open for Nominations
The Secretary helps ensure that the Governance Board’s decisions, discussions, and responsibilities are documented and organized. They support the Board by maintaining accurate meeting records, assisting with agendas and meeting coordination, and helping ensure important governance documents and records are kept up to date.
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The Secretary also supports the Board with bylaw and policy documentation, organizational records, and other governance-related administrative needs, helping create continuity from one Board year to the next.
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Reports to: Membership & Board of Directors
Works closely with: Chairperson and Board of Directors
Compensation: This is a volunteer, unpaid governance position.
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