Our Story

Our Founder, Tonja Carpenter, shares the history of Community Doulas of Waco.”
Empowered moms raise strong families.” In this short video, our Founder and CEO, Tonja Carpenter, shares how CDOW is changing the landscape of maternal healthcare in McLennan County. Watch to learn more about our story, our vision, and the lasting impact of wraparound doula care.
To dive deeper into our mission and read more about our latest updates, be sure to check out our blog!

Our Story Blog

Our Board

Our board is made up of dedicated community leaders who believe every mother deserves the chance for a healthy birth and strong start to parenthood. Their passion, wisdom, and guidance shape the vision of Community Doulas of Waco and ensure our work continues to empower families across McLennan County

Tonja Carpenter

Founder and CEO, IBCLC, RLC, PCD(DONA)

Why I Serve

Tonja Carpenter, IBCLC, RLC, PCD(DONA)

The mission of CDW is just so unique. I love being a part of the innovative way CDW removes the barriers to doula services that so many families face as well as the barriers to the doula profession itself. Paving the way for others is hard work but so rewarding. I am glad that I get to be a part of such a wonderful community and organization.

Susan Beatty

 Fundraising Committee Chair

Why I Serve

Susan Beatty

I am passionate about serving on the Community Doulas of Waco (CDW) because I fell in love with their mission and purpose. As an adoptive mother of 2 through CPS, I understand firsthand the importance of providing under-served families in the Waco community a way to nurture and care for their children from birth to early childhood. CDW provides much needed services to help strengthen the bond between a mother and a child as well as provide services for the whole family to help create a more stable and nurturing family unit.

Stephanie Claus

Board Secretary

Why I Serve

Stephanie Claus

As a family medicine physician serving Waco, I am deeply committed to ensuring all families have access to compassionate care. My experience working with diverse patient populations and my fluency in Spanish allow me to contribute to the board’s mission of providing essential support to local mothers and their children.

Jeff James

Board President

Why I Serve


Jeff James

Having served this community for many years, I’ve seen firsthand the critical need for accessible, compassionate care for families. I am honored to be on this board, where I can apply my experience in leadership and problem-solving to help Community Doulas of Waco grow and thrive, ensuring every mother and child receives the support they deserve.

Dr. Leah Lomotey-Nakon

Board Member

Why I Serve

Dr. Leah Lomotey-Nakon, Ph.D.

I hope to support Community Doulas of Waco with my research background. My master’s degree exposed me to key skills in program evaluation and my doctoral research in reproductive bioethics has given me a nuanced understanding of issues impacting pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. I am deeply committed to ensuring that all families, regardless of their socioeconomic status, have access to the compassionate and culturally sensitive support that doulas provide. I am motivated by a strong desire to give back to the community and make a tangible difference in the lives of families who may be struggling to access the resources they need. I am honored to leverage my skills and expertise to further the mission of Community Doulas of Waco.

Frank San Martin

Board Member

Why I Serve


Frank San Martin

As a pastor and community leader, my work in Waco has focused on connecting families with essential resources, from health services to financial literacy. It is a privilege to serve on this board and apply my experience in grant writing and my bilingual skills to help expand the incredible support Community Doulas of Waco provides to local mothers.

April Strickland

Board Member

Why I Serve


April Strickland

My work over the past seven years has been dedicated to improving health and nutrition in the Waco community. This experience, combined with my perspective as a mother of five, is the foundation for my commitment to the board’s mission of empowering local families through the power of doula care.

Janessa Givens

Board Member

Why I Serve

Janessa Givens

I serve because I believe every mother deserves care, support and a strong voice during one of the most intimate and critical times of her life.  Years ago, when I first learned about the role of doulas from a friend, I realized how transformative that kind of steady, compassionate support can be—and how many mothers go without it simply because of access or cost.  Knowing that CDOW walks alongside women during pregnancy, birth and postpartum, at times all at no cost, means that families are not navigating those sacred moments alone.  Serving with CDOW reflects my deep belief in equal access to compassionate, affordable care for every mother in our community.

Brennan Diamond

Board Member

Why I Serve

Brennan Diamond

After seeing our birth and postpartum doulas navigate my wife through a difficult induction and a postnatal medical emergency with our daughter, I realized these services are not just ‘extra’ support—they are essential for maternal and infant health. I serve on the CDOW Board to ensure that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of families receiving this level of advocacy. I am passionate about making the expert care our family received the standard for all families in our community.

Mary Zane Nelson

Governance Committee Chair

Why I Serve

Mary Zane Nelson

I am a wife and mother of two boys. I am passionate about doulas and birth/postpartum work because of my experience in birth and postpartum with my two boys. After having my first son and struggling with postpartum anxiety and depression, I began to seek out how to help other mothers in the same situation. Through this, I found out about postpartum doulas and eventually trained to be a postpartum doula. While I am not an active doula currently, I remain passionate about helping and serving families in the birth and postpartum process. Being a part of the Community Doulas Board has been a privilege to see so many families impacted and served!

JT Lloyd

Treasurer/Finance Committee Chair

Why I Serve

JT Lloyd

We all stand on the shoulders of others whose sacrifices make our success possible. Community Doulas of Waco empowers and supports underserved parents while equipping mentees with valuable job and life skills. The result isn’t just better health outcomes—it’s generational thriving. That is why I’m proud to serve on the board of Community Doulas of Waco.

Why do the Board members of Community Doulas of Waco devote so much time and talent to the mission of this organization?

The Board members of Community Doulas of Waco not only help govern the direction of the organization, they contribute time as well as financial resources. They truly are invested in the success of the mission.

Our Staff

While our doulas serve families directly, our staff works diligently behind the scenes to keep everything moving forward. From leadership and care coordination to communications and bookkeeping, this team ensures that Community Doulas of Waco can continue empowering mothers and improving birth outcomes across McLennan County.

Tonja Carpenter

Founder and CEO, IBCLC, RLC, PCD(DONA)

Why I Care


Tonja Carpenter, IBCLC, RLC, PCD(DONA)

The mission of CDW is just so unique. I love being a part of the innovative way CDW removes the barriers to doula services that so many families face as well as the barriers to the doula profession itself. Paving the way for others is hard work but so rewarding. I am glad that I get to be a part of such a wonderful community and organization.

Faith Carpenter

Social Media and Communications Manager

Why I Care


Faith Carpenter

I serve with Community Doulas of Waco because this work is deeply personal to me. I’ve been immersed in the world of doula care from a young age, witnessing firsthand the profound impact it has on women and families. Growing up in Waco, I developed a deep love for my community, and I’m passionate about using storytelling and social media to amplify the voices of the women we serve. I can confidently say that this organization aligns with my personal values and my heart for service. Every day, I’m driven by the opportunity to uplift, support, and empower women in my city. Being part of a team that is making a tangible difference in the lives of families is both an honor and a calling, and I’m grateful to contribute to the mission of Community Doulas of Waco.

LaCresha Duffey

CRM Tech Support
Postpartum Certified Doula, PCD(DONA)

Why I Care


LaCresha Duffey, PCD(DONA)

I’ve had the pleasure of receiving doulas services in 2018 and it changed my life. Never had I experienced such intentional care about my wellbeing and the incredible services I had through my postpartum period. I have made it a priority to make sure every mother I come in contact with knows she’s heard and valued! Working with Community Doulas of Waco gives me that opportunity, with every call and every family we serve.

Cassie Johnson

Doula Program Director
Certified Birth Doula, Trained Postpartum Doula, CD(DONA)

Why I Care


Cassie Johnson

I am passionate about working with the Community Doula of Waco because of our shared values and love for helping others. I’m passionate because of the opportunity Community Doulas of Waco has afforded me in meeting and helping many families. I’m passionate because of the passionate, purposeful doulas I get to work with. Their passion for the work that they do is contagious and we make a great team because of it. Lastly, I’m passionate about working for Community Doulas of Waco because I get the opportunity to extend love and support towards mamas and their families during one of the most precious moments of their lives.

Hannah Vardeman

Bookkeeper

Why I Care


Hannah Vardeman

I work for Community Doulas of Waco because I believe in the calling this organization has to help mamas achieve their birth and postpartum goals. Having gone through a traumatic birth experience and a c-section, it made a great impact on me knowing that I had someone in my corner to empower me to speak up for myself and help me navigate birth and postpartum. I am committed to this beautiful organization and the invaluable services they offer.

Noura Helton

Administrative Assistant

Why I Care


Noura Helton

I care deeply about this work because I once stood in the shoes of the mothers we serve. As a
first-time mom, having a doula from this organization made all the difference in the world for me.
Now, as part of the administrative team, it means so much to be able to give back to an
organization that uplifts mothers in my community—whether they are welcoming their first baby
or their fourth—because the impact of feeling supported is just as powerful at every stage.

Mentorship

From receiving support to becoming a support — our mentorship pathway empowers mothers beyond birth. We invest in the future of our clients by offering a doula mentorship pathway. Through cost-sharing for doula training and ongoing professional development, we open doors for former clients to pursue doula work and increase their earning potential. This cycle of care not only uplifts families but also builds a stronger, more sustainable network of doulas in our community.

Applications for the Spring Doula Mentorship Program are temporarily closed.

Once the program is reopened, we intend to invite  former clients who are passionate about serving mothers and families through birth and postpartum recovery, and who are ready to grow professionally.

Our doula team is like a family—we work together to serve our community, and we are eager to expand our team with dedicated doulas who share our vision.

Certifying Organizations include CAPPA, DONA, ICEA, and Birth Works. (add links) To learn more, email our, Doula Program Director, at doulasup@comdoulaswaco.org

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