Our Board

Tonja Carpenter, IBCLC, RLC, PCD(DONA)

Founder and CEO

Susan Beatty

Director of Stewardship, Methodist Children’s Home, Waco TX

Stephanie Claus

Darrell Helton, JD

Owner of Helton Law Firm

Jeff James

Dr. Leah Lomotey-Nakon, Ph.D.

Baylor University Religion Professor

Tim Meldrum

Board President

April Strickland

Frank San Martin

Tonja Carpenter, IBCLC, RLC, PCD(DONA)

Founder and CEO

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

Director of Stewardship, Methodist Children’s Home, Waco TX

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

Darrell Helton, JD

Owner of Helton Law Firm

I love the fact that Community Doulas of Waco gives families the availability to have a doula that cannot otherwise afford one and they take it a step further by their willingness to train these mothers to become doulas, which helps them to improve their earning potential.

Jeff James

Dr. Leah Lomotey-Nakon, Ph.D.

Baylor University Religion Professor

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.

Tim Meldrum

Board President

I’m passionate about serving on the CDW board for two reasons: first, we are providing life saving and family altering doula care for moms who otherwise would not be able to access doula care. And second because our doulas are worth investing in and this work is giving them a place to grow and contribute in such meaningful ways to our clients’ lives

April Strickland

Frank San Martin