About the DSA.

The DSA is a non-profit association promoting Perinatal Doula support for families in British Columbia, Canada.

Our Mission

Our mission is to raise awareness about the role of Perinatal (fertility, birth, postpartum, loss) Doulas within BC, to provide a referral service to BC families, and to deliver continuing education to our members, health care professionals, and the public at large.

Training and Standards

All DSA doulas have completed an approved training course and are required to pursue ongoing education.  The DSA also has a strict confidentiality policy, a standardized Code of Ethics, and Standards of Practice that are followed by all DSA doulas. 

The Board of Directors

Michelle Short (She/Her)
President

Michelle is a full spectrum doula, and birth activist whose call to birth work came after her own empowering home births came to fruition in 2014 & 2017. 
Last year, Michelle filled the role of our Secretary, and is excited to take on the challenge of President for the 2021 year. Michelle can't wait to spend her time as the DSA President focusing on continuing to grow our vibrant, loving, and inclusive doula community that has always welcomed all doulas with open arms.
Michelle is also solid in her knowing that childbirth has the potential to be a transformative right of passage, and every family's path to parenthood is unique and beautiful in it's own right. In turn, she sees the importance of fostering meaningful conversations with birthing families within our communities to hear their experiences, wants, and needs, so that we can facilitate positive and family centered change for BC birthers.
Michelle lives in Langley with her husband, two kiddos, pup, and their spunky old cat. In her spare time, Michelle and her crew can be found walking the trails along the Nicomekl river, hanging out at the local dog parks, or digging in the garden. 

Catrin Hughes (She/Her)
​Vice President

 Catrin is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist Practitioner, Birth & Postpartum Doula, Period Coach and Feminine Embodiment Facilitator. She is the woman behind Rising Mother, a company based on the foundations of empowering women to step into their feminine power, whether that be through birth, menstruation, preconception planning or fertility. Catrin’s practice focuses on food as thy medicine, hormone balancing, learning to interpret and listen to your body and developing self-awareness. Catrin’s passion for birth work comes from a deep-seated need to empower and connect with women on both a holistic and spiritual level. Catrin believes that everyone has the right to make choices about their own body and that empowering birth is an extension of reproductive justice. Her mission statement “Returning Woman to the Womb” means educating, celebrating and holding space for all women and their bodies. As a Birth & Postpartum Doula Catrin proudly serves families throughout the lower Mainland. Catrin completed her DONA International Birth & Postpartum Doula Training in Toronto in 2015 and recently MotherWit Postpartum Doula Training and Gloria Lemay’s Wise Woman Way of Birth Birth Doula Training.  Catrin is excited to be part of the DSA board and to be able to give back to the birthing community that has been so welcoming in her transition into the BC birthing community.  Catrin and her husband live in White Rock, BC.  

Jessica Dillon (She/Her)
Secretary

Jessica is a Vancouver Island girl who now lives and serves in Prince George - she moved to Northern BC in 2017 to pursue her social work career, but quickly learned how challenging (and sometimes non-existent) access to resources and support is in rural & northern communities, specifically in the areas of reproductive health and perinatal care. This pushed Jessica to quit her job, move 'home' to Victoria to complete the Holistic Doula Certificate training at Pacific Rim College, and to certify and work as a full-spectrum care provider back up north for birthing people and their families through her doula practice, The Delightful Doula.

Currently, Jessica is a full-time birthworker, and is in the process of completing the Childbirth Educator program through Douglas College. She lives with her very handsome partner and a bunch of fur-babies in a cute little green house that she loves.

Danielle McEachern (She/Her)
​Director of Memberships

Photo & Bio to Come

Karlee Lyon (She/Her)
​Treasurer

Karlee is a Doula & Childbirth educator whose passion for birth began at 12 when she attended her baby sister's birth. She supports families in Maple Ridge and the surrounding Fraser Valley Region.

Karlee had always been a self described birth nerd and had acted informally as a doula for friends and family, but while planning for a VBAC with her second child, a pandemic happened. In all the uncertainty her doula joked that Karlee could doula herself, if restrictions were not lifted, and Karlee decided to finally make it official. 

Karlee is passionate about giving people the information, knowledge and confidence to comfortably make choices in the birth space, supporting clients so they can feel empowered to trust their gut, and follow their instincts as they bring a new life into the world. 

She comes to the DSA with a background in non-profit administrative work from the Fort McMurry SPCA.

When she's not doing doula things, or reading a cheesy romance novel, Karlee can be found hiking and exploring the forest with her husband, 2 toddlers, and 2 big dogs.  

Stephanie Penner (She/Her)
​Referral Coordinator

Stephanie is a certified birth and postpartum doula living on a farm in the Fraser Valley with her husband, son and two crazy dogs. She has a passion for learning and education, and has taken many different trainings and courses since first becoming a doula. She is currently working towards her Stillbirthday certification, as working with families experiencing loss is close to her heart. Steph believes that the way we treat pregnant people and their families in their parenthood journey not only impacts them as individuals, but has implications for the well-being of our society. She is passionate about empowering families and educating them about all of their options in pregnancy, birth and postpartum so they can make decisions that feel right for them. She is excited to be part of the DSA board and to be able to give back to the birthing community.

Sage Thomas (She/Her)
Indigenous Doula + Family Advocate

Sage is a mother of two children. She is a first nations member of the Tk’emlups te Secwépemc community, and currently resides in her ancestral territory of T'Kemlups (Kamloops, BC) with her family. 

Sage is an Indigenous Birthworker - full spectrum doula, Lactation Educator/Counsellor, Reproductive Health Advocate and UBC midwifery student. She has been supporting families as a birthworker since 2012. Sage is also a professionally trained visual artist, and recently completed an Associate of Arts with a concentration in Anthropology (Indigenous Studies) at Thompson Rivers University. 

Sage has a passion for the arts, reproductive rights, Indigenous and gender equality, revitalizing Indigenous birthing practices, and her Secwépemc culture and language.

Rachel Simmet (She/Her)
​Director of Social Media & Communications

Rachel Simmet has been a Postpartum Doula since 2018, serving families in the Vancouver and Burnaby area. She first saw the importance of postpartum care after assisting her sister who had twin girls in 2016. She is now passionate about serving families with multiples and the unique challenges that accompany this transition.

Previous to being on the DSA board Rachel was on the events committee of The Shanti Uganda Society where she assisted in putting their large gala fundraiser that raised money for maternal and infant health in Uganda.

She is excited to be a part of the DSA board to be able to grow the Doula Fund, so that even more families can have access to doula care. ​

Janice Miles (She/Her)
Director of Social Media & Communications

Janice is one of our Board Members who doesn't live in the Lower Mainland or Fraser Valley, living and working out of Victoria. Janice is a DONA certified Birth and postpartum doula, breastfeeding counselor and certified Gentlebirth Instructor, as well as the very happy mother of six! She loves her kids and loves being a doula.

Janice is the person behind our very awesome Facebook page and always finds the best resources to share with our online community. 

Sarah Larson (She/Her)
​Director of Fundraising

Sarah is a certified birth doula in Metro Vancouver loving on families in all of their shapes & sizes. She learned how valuable support during the birthing process  is after a stressful birth with only her partner & midwife. She realized afterwards upon meeting a doula she was made to journey with others in these moments, helping them enjoy the process, not fear it. 

After two VBAC's and a child who was diagnosed with a congenital anomaly prenatally she has a passion for working with families processing a lot of tricky feelings and self doubts. A lifelong learner & bookworm, she is constantly adding to her knowledge with courses on breast/chestfeeding, holistic practices, loss support and more. She's excited to be a part of the DSA and support the important work it is doing within the province. 

In her spare time she can be found with a crochet hook in hand, volunteering at her child's school or just trying to drink her coffee while it's hot.

Bev Watson
Member Identification Tag Manager

Bev attended her first DONA birth doula training in 2008. As the mother of 5 and grandmother of 7 (and counting!), the birth process has become very significant for her.

As a member of the DSA and a director on the BOD , Bev is constantly amazed at the passion, commitment and level of caring that doulas extend to the people they support. Our DSA strives to provide knowledge and opportunities for doulas to expand and improve their role within this process.

Bev's  role as a Director is a support position. She attends meetings, helps make decisions, participates in set-ups and take-downs for work shops, trade shows, etc. Bev is also responsible for the name tags you receive as a member of the DSA.

Regional Representatives.

Kat Miller (She/Her)
​Interior BC

Kat is a full spectrum doula and childbirth educator serving families in her little town of the Rockies on the unceded Ktunaxa and Secwépemc territories. She was drawn to birth work after having to navigate the western medical system to support her dad during his terminal illness. She became passionate about educating people and wants to be there for folks to feel seen, heard and supported during some of the most transforming life transitions they will experience. Her approach is inclusive, non-judgemental and compassionate.

She advocates for reproductive justice and body literacy. Kat believes everyone is their own expert on what is best for their body and their family.

Outside of birthwork, she serves on her local Women’s Resource Centre’s board of directors. She is an outdoor enthusiast and loves to explore ways she can live more in the flow of life and its seasons.

 Jocelyn Logan (She/Her)
Northern BC

Jocelyn Logan is a Mother of 3 incredible  grown people, Grandmother to 2 beautiful boys and Mother to a delightful collection of fur, feathers and scaled friends. She is currently serving her community of Prince George as  Full Spectrum Breastfeeding Counsellor and group facilitator, Postpartum Peer Support Group Facilitator,Prenatal Educator with Northern Health , Doula Mentor and active Birth/Postpartum Doula. Working in birth and breastfeeding has been her life's focus for 30 years.  She became passionate in serving families in this capacity during her experience as a La Leche League Leader shortly after her first daughter was born, It was during her 14 years as a Leader that she  became very aware of the most difficult journey most new parents face as  they welcome their children, how pregnancy and birth experience shaped and impact Postpartum stories.  The transitions families make during  pregnancy, birth and postpartum is a monumental shift for all involved.She strongly believes that all birthing people and families deserve the very best we can provide with a strong emphasis on  Rights to Informed choice, continuity of care,,evidence based options and respectful care. To truly make change in our world starting at the beginning makes the most sense.  Jocelyn lives with her colorful extended family in Prince George She is honored to be part of this organization  and to provide support to the birth workers in the North to show up in the very best ways we can for the families we serve.

Jay Duncan
Vancouver Island Rep.
​Peer Support Member

Jay has been a Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator for the past 17 years. She credits the birth of her two children in 1996 and 1998 as the fuel that ignited her journey into the Birth World as a career choice. She is constantly humbled and honored to be asked by families to help support them through their private and personal birthing journeys. Through her experience of working with a variety of families, Jay has expanded her breadth and scope of addressing the varied needs of different families before, during and after their births. This has made her a multifaceted Doula with a keen interest in working with birthers of colour, transgender families and immigrant families. Jay lives in beautiful Victoria BC and has been an enthusiastic member of the DSA for many years. Making sure that all families have access to experienced, compassionate and objective care during their labour and birth experiences, no matter the socioeconomic status is very important to Jay.  DSA's volunteer Doula Program was an important factor in her choice to become a member. Jay is excited to expand her range of DSA involvement and become the liason between DSA membership and Birth Workers on the Island.  ​

Members at Large

Kasia Machelak
​Board Support

Kasia came into the doula world in 2010 after she had her first of three daughters. She wanted to share the transformative experience she had with others in her community. Kasia has taken many different forms of Doula training and continues to love learning about birth and about the ancient wisdom of supporting families in their time of transition.

In 2018, Kasia joined the board of directors as the president where she spearheaded the team for two years. In 2020, she shifted to a director at large to make more time for her family.

Tania Campagnolo (She/Her)
Peer Support

After becoming a young mom at 18, Tania started supporting other young moms in their own journeys, but it wasn’t until many years later, after a friend’s birth, that she realized she was a Doula all along. She now has three children of her own (with 19.5 years between the first and second,) works as a volunteer Child Passenger Safety Technician, and volunteers her time in the community of North Vancouver as much as life allows it. Tania believes that our role as Doulas in pregnancy and beyond has great importance to the future of all growing families. Tania says that her favourite part of the work we do is supporting the instinctual power within every birthing person and seeing them witness themselves in that power as they birth their babies.

Alyssa Kellert (She/Her)
Peer Support

Alyssa is a birth photographer, filmmaker and doula. She started attending births as a photographer after having her second child, and soon decided she needed to do more to educate and support her birth clients. After starting to attend births as a doula, she noticed a big change in her clients’ lives, not only in birth, but in advocating for themselves, getting second opinions and asking questions about evidence based care in all areas of their lives. Alyssa is also a breastfeeding educator and loves to continually be learning about all things birth.
​
Alyssa is married, a mother to three children and one rescue pup. 

Michelle Tyliakos (She/Her)
Peer Support

Michelle Tyliakos is a Doula, Educator and Advocate.  She is committed to people awakening the mind, body and spirit through choice and intuition.  She coaches people in private and group settings in order for them to Connect- Heal- Advocate for what is important to them.  Michelle has more recently become passionate about the rights to informed choice as she supports her husband through making powerful decisions while navigating life with a rare form of heart cancer.

Carissa Reed (She/Her)
Peer Support

Carissa Reed is a full spectrum doula, energy practitioner, and amateur astrologer living and working on the ancestral and unceded homelands of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples. She is fiercely passionate about the transformative power of birth and is dedicated to supporting families in exploring their choices and actively practicing informed consent throughout their care. Carissa believes education and knowledge are incredible tools to support the wisdom of birthing bodies, and by attuning to our innate internal awareness we can build a sense of trust that supports the birth process in its delicate and powerful unfolding.

When she is not attending births you can find her snuggling her husband and two cats, continuously elevating her snack game, laughing as much as possible, and spending as much time as she can getting lost in the magical forests of the West Coast.

Lisa Taylor (She/Her)
Peer Support

Lisa was born & raised in the Okanagan Valley. She is very pleased to be able to grow her business and serve her clients in her home town of Vernon, BC, and surrounding communities. Lisa is married to her best friend of 23 years, they have an 18 year old daughter and 6 fur babies.
She is a certified doula through The International Doula Institute, certified in Birth and Postpartum care as well as Breastfeeding Counselling . She considers herself as a nurturing doula with a holistic approach. She caters to first time parents by helping alleviate stress through mindset, support systems and tools throughout her clients pregnancy & delivery. Also clients that just want that added support throughout labour and delivery. Lisa was a Chef for 23 years and as part of her doula practice she offers nutritious meals combined with personalized birthing support to each of her clients .
Her goal is to give families the attention & knowledge to make informed decisions about their pregnancy, labour & birthing process, as a supportive companion.
Providing guidance through physical, emotional, educational support during and after birth.

Madison Desjarlais (She/Her)
Peer Support

Photo & Bio to Come

​Interested in joining us?
As a volunteer-run association, we are always interested in hearing from any of our members who are interested in joining the board.  Whether you'd like to help with specific projects or would like to learn more about what it means to be a board member, please  contact us.

DSA members are also welcome to attend any of our monthly
​board meetings.

In our organization, we recognize that change is constant and we welcome the opportunity to have new members contributing to the growth of the DSA. We look forward to hearing from YOU!
Website built by Samantha Gagnon Consulting
Photography provided by Stages Doula + Photography