BOLD London 2008

Shawna Lewkowitz M.Ed, CD(DONA), CPD(CAPPA), LCCE

Shawna is a certified birth and postpartum doula, Lamaze certified childbirth educator, postpartum doula trainer and partner in Babeeze in Arms Doula Centre here in London ON. She has been working in the birth field for over 4 years and has almost 15 years experience organizing events. Her passion in supporting women in making the choices to birth and parent in a way that fit best for their lives has made her a strong advocate for the women and families she supports. She saw an opportunity to put women centred birth on the local agenda by bringing BOLD to London and giving the community here an opportunity to particpate in shaping what women friendly childbirth looks like. She is excited to be BOLD in 2008 and welcomes London to join her.

Alyssa Jarvis

Alyssa is working toward her certification with CAPPA to be a Postpartum Doula. She currently runs a daycare out of her home in Byron and has said if she can’t have anymore of her own…she’ll find a way to hold a new baby everyday. Alyssa has a strong passion for supporting mothers and their babies. She believes that woman centered birth should be a priority and that if women’s voices are to be heard we must foster every opportunity to spread the word. BOLD is that opportunity and BOLD is that word.

Jennifer Kirkham 

 I have over 15 years of experience at the municipal level of government in a broad range of program areas that cut across the frontline, policy and strategic perspectives.

At present, I am the Chief Strategic Planning Officer for the City of London.  I am responsible for developing a Corporate Plan that involves both administration and the community.  Prior to this, I was the Director of Community Programs and Strategies with the City of London’s Department of Community Services.  Within this portfolio I was responsible for providing leadership across a range of areas, including the Ontario Works program, Child Care Services, Community Funding, Social Research and Planning and Community Capacity Building.   This portfolio allowed me to work in broader areas such as social policy and community development as well as at the operational level of providing direct supports to people in our community.

Outside of my “day” job, I am a certified coach and provide life, relationship and executive coaching and teach part-time at King’s College in the Social Work program.  I also operate my own company, Mischevious Cat Productions, which focuses on living art.

 Jill Ritchie CD (ALACE), CPD (CAPPA), LCCE, Happiest Baby On The Block Educator, Newborn Massage Instructor

Jill is a certified birth and postpartum doula, Lamaze certified childbirth educator and founder of Babeeze In Arms Doula Centre in London, Ontario. She is a mother of 5 children, a sister to 7 siblings and the daughter of an amazing 82 year old mother.  Jill has been supporting women during the childbearing years for the past 10 years.  She is honoured to support  women during this amazing journey into motherhood and feels passionately about women having choices, and having their voices heard during this most important time in their lives. As a birth and postpartum doula Jill has experienced the joys and heartaches that these families have felt from their birth & postpartum experience.  It is her hope that these women who have cried on her shoulder, or hugged her with joy will speak out by joining her and being BOLD in 2008.  It is time for our community to listen to these women’s voices.   Let’s be BOLD together!

 Tracey Wicks

Jodi Hinds