Cohort 4 
SEEDS ENC Community Doulas

Zainab is passionate about women’s health and community education on health matters. She is a Public Health major in the process of completing her degree. She became passionate about being a doula once she realized African-American women were at a higher risk for maternal mortality, maternal morbidity, and other complications during pregnancy. That made her want to be a person who can comfort, support, advocate, and guide women in any way so that they can have a safe birth experience. She will lead with inclusivity, cultural awareness, objectivity, patience, and understanding, as we are all human and deserve as much.

​As a dedicated Doula, BLS-certified Community Health Worker, and Mental Health Aid, Sandra supports families across Cumberland, Sampson, Robeson, Hoke, Lee, Harnett, Bladen, Johnston, and Wayne counties. As a mother of three, she brings a deep personal understanding to the physical and emotional journey of childbirth. Her lived experience has provided her a natural ability to navigate situations involving disabilities and neurodiversity with ease, respect, and specialized care. She prides herself on being highly adaptable to different cultures, races, and age gaps, ensuring every family feels truly seen.

Her goal is to walk alongside families from pregnancy through postpartum with evidence-based education and compassionate support. She is here to listen, empower, and provide a steady, respectful space where clients feel heard every step of the way.

With a strong foundation in both psychology and nursing, Hettie brings a comprehensive, compassionate approach to supporting individuals and families through the childbirth journey. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UNC–Chapel Hill, followed by an Associate Degree in Nursing from Pitt Community College. She then completed her RN-to-BSN at East Carolina University, deepening her clinical expertise and commitment to evidence-based care.

Her passion for education and maternal-child health led her to pursue a Master's Degree in Nursing with a concentration in education, and ultimately a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University’s Hunt School of Nursing. In addition, she is certified in Public Health Nursing, which informs her holistic, community-centered approach to care.

As your doula, she blends clinical knowledge, educational experience, and a deep respect for the birthing process to empower families with support, advocacy, and personalized care every step of the way. This encompasses holistic doula healthcare services with increased positive maternal healthcare outcomes for mother’s, babies,  family, and friends' support systems.

Frances is a dedicated CNA with over 30 years of experience providing compassionate, high-quality care to individuals and families. She has a deep love for working with people and takes pride in offering respectful, patient-centered support. Her extensive background in healthcare has strengthened her skills in empathy, communication, and understanding the unique needs of each person she serves.

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In addition to her professional experience, she has personally experienced two live births, which has given her a deeper understanding of the physical and emotional journey of childbirth. These experiences have inspired her passion for becoming a doula and allow her to connect with and support families on a more personal level.

She is excited to expand her skills through her doula training, where she can continue to provide comfort, education, and encouragement to individuals and families during meaningful life transitions. Her goal is to create a safe, nurturing environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and cared for

Addison is a trained doula currently in the process of becoming certified through DONA International. She has birth doula experience through the Birth Companions Program at East Carolina University, where she has been actively supporting birthing individuals since 2024.

She is currently a student at East Carolina University, pursuing a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Chemistry.

She is committed to creating a calm and positive birth experience while honoring each individual’s unique preferences and choices. She believes that every birthing person deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported both physically and emotionally. She is especially passionate about inclusive, respectful care and is dedicated to supporting individuals of all identities and backgrounds with dignity and compassion.

She would love to support you during your pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum journey. Addison will provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to help clients feel prepared, confident, and empowered in their decisions.

In her free time, Addison enjoys reading, trying new recipes, thrifting, and spending time with friends and family.

​Athena is a trained doula at ECU Health filled with a spirit of love and joy, who is passionate about protecting the sacred knowledge of the birth space. She believes that empowering individuals and families with physical, informational, and emotional support beginning from prenatal to postpartum care can help change the narrative of labor and delivery. As a widespread volunteer in diverse communities, from home building to soup kitchens, special needs families, and youth organizations, the heart of her belief system is rooted in advocacy for all while being the village she wants to see. She is looking forward to being your birth doula!

As a neurodivergent doula, person in long-term recovery, mother, and Licensed Massage/ Bodywork Therapist (#22854), Haley approaches each birth space with a deep regard for a pregnant person's emotional and sensory input needs through the power of focused, individualized support.

Her own diverse birth experiences, from hospital settings to an unassisted homebirth, have taught her that every birth is unique, sacred, and worthy of respect.

When she's not supporting families, you can find her camping, dancing, deep diving into special interests, or connecting with her recovery community.

Haley proudly serves families in Camden, Currituck, Dare, and Pasquotank counties. Her work is rooted in a commitment to accessible, affirming, and inclusive care for all.

Hi, Chioma is a birth and postpartum doula passionate about supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and the transition into parenthood with confidence and care. She believes every family deserves to feel informed, supported, and truly seen, no matter what their journey looks like.

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She has a special heart for moms navigating pregnancy after difficult or unexpected past experiences. She understands how much courage it takes to move forward, and she’s here to offer steady, compassionate, and personalized support every step of the way.

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Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or growing your family, she shows up ready to advocate for you, help you feel prepared, and create a space where you can trust yourself and your birth experience. It would be an honor to walk alongside you during this season.

Brenda works as a community outreach worker with a local health department and is looking forward to supporting Eastern North Carolina as a birth worker (doula). 

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She is passionate about helping people in any way she can. As a doula, she will support women on their pregnancy journey, ensuring they have the education, empowerment, and comfort they need during their birthing experience.

Tania is a bilingual doula in training serving Pitt County, dedicated to providing compassionate, culturally inclusive care to families throughout their birth journey. With 25 years of experience in the healthcare field, she brings a deep commitment to patient advocacy, respect, and human connection.

Tania’s background includes over 15 years as a Certified Nursing Assistant in the Hospital setting and 10 years as a Spanish interpreter at the ACAD practice of the Brody School of Medicine, where she supports clear communication and trust between patients and providers.

In addition to her clinical experience, she is a Reiki practitioner and certified EFT and TFT tapping practitioner. She gently integrates these holistic modalities to support emotional balance, inner calm, and overall well-being.

Tania believes birth is not only a physical experience, but a meaningful and transformative moment in life. It is her honor to walk alongside families with presence, empathy, and culturally responsive care.

Soy Tania doula bilingüe en formación que presta servicios en el condado de Pitt, dedicada a brindar un acompañamiento compasivo y culturalmente inclusivo a las familias durante todo su proceso de nacimiento. Con 25 años de experiencia en el campo de la salud, aporto un profundo compromiso con la defensa del paciente, el respeto y la conexión humana.

Mi trayectoria incluye más de 15 años como Asistente de Enfermería Certificada en un entorno hospitalario, y actualmente cuento con 10 años de experiencia como intérprete de español en  la Escuela de Medicina Brody,  donde facilito una comunicación profesional, clara y de confianza entre pacientes y proveedores de salud.

Además de mi experiencia clínica, soy practicante de Reiki y estoy certificada en EFT (Técnicas de Liberación Emocional) y TFT (Terapia del Campo del Pensamiento). Integro suavemente estas modalidades holísticas para apoyar el equilibrio emocional, la calma interior y el bienestar integral.

Creo que el nacimiento no es solo una experiencia física, sino también un momento significativo y transformador en la vida. Es un honor para mí acompañar a las familias con presencia, empatía y un cuidado culturalmente consciente.