Meet the Team
The Doula Association of Alberta is guided by a passionate group of board members who believe in strong support, thoughtful leadership, and community rooted care. Their diverse backgrounds and shared dedication help move our association forward in meaningful ways.
President
Milly Friedman
The President helps guide the overall direction of the Doula Association of Alberta. They chair meetings, prepare and share agendas in advance, and support the Board and wider support team in their work. Acting as a key point of connection, the President liaises with members, the community, and the public, and supports committees as they plan and carry out events and projects aligned with the DAA’s values.
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.
Vice President
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April Fermaniuk
The Vice President works closely alongside the President to help keep the Doula Association of Alberta running smoothly. They step in to support or chair meetings when needed and help oversee the internal operations of the association. This role plays a key part in guiding by law updates, maintaining the association’s records, and supporting organizational and financial processes in collaboration with the Treasurer.
More about April:
April Fermaniuk is a local yeg bossbabe and owner of Edmonton Area Family Doulas agency. She is a wife to the most supportive doula husband ever, and mother of three tiny humans, and the cutest Bernedoodle ever. A certified birth and postpartum doula for over 5 years, April is honored to guide families through the life changing journey of having a baby and adjusting to life with a newborn. She absolutely loves teaching newborn care and prenatal education classes. Fun facts! April apologizes for everything, all the time. She is an active (alumnae) fraternity girl with Alpha Gamma Delta. April also spent several years working as a military reserve officer working army cadets (youth). She also HATES socks, and much to the chagrin of her husband, so do her children. On days when she’s at her computer returning emails you can find April sipping Chai Lattes out of her fav Prairie Chick Prints mug and listening to music while she works. When she’s not running her business, April is spending time with her husband and their three incredible children having fun outside or watching movies.
Administrator
Karmen Weiss
The Administrator helps keep everything organized and flowing behind the scenes. They attend meetings, take minutes, and track attendance for both the Board and the Association, ensuring information is shared clearly and on time. This role also supports monthly administrative filings and helps keep members informed of any policy updates or important changes.
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.
Membership Coordinator
Vicki Todd
The Membership Manager is the main point of care for all things membership. They manage member communications, applications, renewals, and records, while keeping membership data, education hours, and reporting up to date. This role coordinates closely with the Treasurer, Administrator, and communications team to ensure accurate information, smooth access to member platforms, insurance coordination, and clear, consistent communication with members throughout the year.
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.
Supporting Roles
Supporting Roles within the Doula Association of Alberta play a vital part in keeping our community connected, informed, and supported. Individuals in these roles help carry out the day to day work of the association and collaborate closely with the Board and one another. Support role holders creatE space for connection, shared insight, and aligned decision making as we continue to grow and strengthen the DAA together.
Lindsay Bowns
Public Relations Manager
The Publuc Relations Manager oversees the Association’s communications strategy and public messaging. They collaborate with the President, act as a spokesperson when needed, and represent the DAA in stakeholder and committee spaces.
This role manages media relations and creates clear, engaging content across newsletters, social media, and the website. They also represent the DAA on the Alberta Health Services Committee and report back to the Board following meetings.
More about Lindsay
Thoughtful. Encouraging. Kind, to a fault. Lindsey is that friend you call in the middle of the night when your heart and mind are racing and you need someone to slow things down. She's also a girl-mom, a dog lover, a teacher of baby ballerinas, and a sweat-enthusiast. Need proof? - She wore running shoes during most of her own labor, WITH her hospital gown! Her enthusiasm for birth, parenthood, and genuine friendships led her to doula work in 2019. Her modern, judgement-free outlook makes her feel like that funny friend who just happens to enjoy talking about placentas during pedicures and breastfeeding over brunch.
Kristy Cooper
Website & Social Media Manager
This role oversees the Association’s online presence and website, managing social media platforms, content, and digital campaigns to engage members and the community. Responsibilities include maintaining website functionality, updating content, coordinating events and Zoom links, and collaborating with team members to ensure smooth communication and member support.
More about Kristy
Kristy Cooper is a mama, wife, and birth doula serving families in east central Alberta since 2017. As the founder of Little Doula on the Prairie and host of the Birthing on the Prairies podcast, she shares birth stories, supports families, and inspires other doulas. Passionate, knowledgeable, and community-focused, Kristy is dedicated to empowering families and creating positive birth experiences.
Erin Moyen
Education Manager
The Education Manager supports the learning and growth of DAA members by researching, coordinating, and delivering educational trainings and guest speaker opportunities. They work closely with presenters and the Board to ensure offerings are thoughtful, relevant, and well supported, and may also provide technical support or host events to help everything run smoothly.
More about Erin
Erin is one of few seasoned childbirth leaders in Alberta. Her paternal grandmother’s teachings and love of family shaped her calling into this treasured profession. With 17+ years educating, supporting and mentoring doulas and families, she is honoured to be the Doula Association of Alberta’s Education Manager. Although Erin was raised on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, she has been privileged to live and work in the Southern, Central and Northern regions of Alberta. This diverse experience has enhanced her understanding of the childbirth and doula culture in Western Canada. Erin is the biological mother to 3 children, 3 angel babies and has been a foster mom to 5 under five. Alongside her husband, and youngest daughter, Erin resides on a farm in Central Alberta. During her term as Education Manager Erin looks forward to meeting more of Alberta’s birthworkers, partnering with training experts, and coordinating educational events that meet the need of our current (and growing!) Doula Association of Alberta membership.
Community Liaison
Zone Liaisons are your local connection to the DAA. They keep the Board updated on news, birth site updates, and other information relevant to Alberta doulas, and they stay informed about what’s happening in their zone.
Liaisons attend all General Meetings and bimonthly Team Meetings to stay connected with the DAA and bring your questions, ideas, and feedback to the Board.
Contact your Zone Liaison here: daaliaison@gmail.com
Edmonton Zone
Sam
Hi, I’m Sam — a wife, boy-mom, and doula whose deepest joy is walking with families as they welcome new life into the world. My love for birth isn’t something I stumbled into; it feels like something I was always meant to find. Growing up on an acreage outside Camrose, surrounded by animals, open fields, and the gentle rhythm of homestead life, I learned early to trust nature, honour intuition, and appreciate the quiet strength woven into everyday moments.
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North & East Zone
Chelsea Snelgrove
Chelsea is a mama to three, wife and entrepreneur. She’s been building her practice in the field of holistic and integrative health care for over 10 years. Her skill set includes the roles of BodyTalk practitioner, certified birth & postpartum doula, health advisor, and human design reader. Chelsea has been intuitively operating as a doula long before she became certified. As a patient care aide in a nursing home helping people as they transitioned from earth. Then as a sister and friend as people welcomed their babies earth side. You could say her support services have come full circle! Chelsea feels totally at home in the birth world and is honored to be able to offer her combo of intuitive and evidence based guidance to every family she works with. She is excited to be the Eastern Zone Liaison and to support and grow with this amazing doula community.
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Red Deer & Central Zone
Stephanie Griffith
Hi, I’m Steph! Between working full-time and managing the busy schedules of my three kiddos, plus the dog and cat; life is a whirlwind of organized chaos—but it’s my beautiful chaos, and I wouldn’t change a thing (aside from the grey hairs!) As a trusted peer and executive board member for the Red Deer Doula Association, I am thrilled to be able to facilitate growth, connection and knowledge within our network of Doulas as the Red Deer Liaison.
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Calgary Zone
Adele Pardy-Callfas
I'm Adele (or Del/Deli to friends), and I’m excited to nominate myself for the role of Community Liaison for the Calgary Area with the Doula Association of Alberta (DAA). With over 14 years of experience as a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula, Certified Perinatal Educator, and owner of The Hive Doula Services, I’m dedicated to providing exceptional support to families and enhancing our local doula community. Currently, I am also the president of the Calgary Doula Association (CDA), where I work to support and advance the interests of doulas in our area. In addition, I am training with Evidence Based Birth® (EBB) to become an instructor, further enriching my ability to support and educate families and fellow professionals. My career has been focused on delivering heartfelt, accessible care throughout the birth and postpartum experience. Outside of my doula work, you can find me hip squeezing, baking sourdough, indulging in urban homesteading, and dreaming about the birth room. Originally from Ontario but a proud Calgarian for nearly 21 years, I bring a blend of experience, enthusiasm, and a touch of old-school charm to this role. As a mom to an 18-year-old and a dedicated RMT, I’m eager to connect with and support fellow doulas in our community. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute positively and work together with the DAA and our local doula network!
South Zone
Vicki Todd
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.
CONTACT US
Have a question, update, or idea for your Alberta Doula Association (DAA) zone?