Meet the Team
We can't wait to meet you and support you!
Our team is ready to help you have the best pregnancy you can! We are professionally trained, and experienced and value evidence-based information as well as individualizing our support for each family. And we are always updating our skill sets with new continuing education and staying up-to-date on the current research. We work as a team with all of us helping each other out when needed with the goal of giving you the best support possible. Let’s get to know each other and get started on your pregnancy journey.
Meet our Founder

Cicely Wilson
Founder and Executive Director
I am passionate about supporting, educating, and empowering families during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. I believe in holistic care allowing the mind, body, and spirit to be the guide in birth and overall health. I support families in their decisions whether they choose a homebirth with a midwife, hospital birth with a medical team, or deliver at a birthing center, the choice is yours and my job is to support your choices.
I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and am the oldest of five younger siblings. I started working with children at a very early age, serving my neighborhood and church as the go-to babysitter. I could always be found wherever the babies were, playing and caring for them as if they were my children. At the age of 15, I became the babysitter to 3 beautiful, full-spirited girls. Caring for those girls helped me to decide to continue working as a nanny throughout college. I am still very close to that family, with the girls currently in their 20s starting their careers and becoming mothers themselves!
While working closely with families with newborns and infants, I saw parents needing more support during the postpartum period and overnight support so parents could rest and recover. I chose to train and certify with CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) as a Postpartum Doula. I then received a Child Passenger Safety Technician certification to help parents choose and properly install their child’s car seat. I am a CACHE credentialed Newborn Care Specialist obtaining training from Newborn Care Solutions. I received my certification as a Lactation Counseling and am certified by the Academy of Lactation Policy and Procedure. I am also a trained Labor Doula with DONA International and currently pursuing accreditation with CAPPA and Lamaze International as a Childbirth Educator.
I immersed myself in the teachings of Nneka Hall at The Quilt Center to advocate for families with fertility challenges and families coping with the grief of pregnancy loss. I continue to study all things baby on subjects such as sleep, postpartum mental health, and prenatal/postnatal nutrition.
I believe every family deserves to be supported, educated, and empowered with experience and evidence-based support. I have worked with families within CicelyCARES for several years and look forward to doing more community-centered support to provide care to families of all social and economic backgrounds.
I offer an understanding, non-judgmental view on parenting, striving to make all families feel accepted and supported in their parenting decisions. I enjoy educating parents and watching parents adjust to their new roles.
I have experience with multiples, babies with reflux and colic, breastfeeding challenges, same-sex couples, and sleep conditioning. I am more than willing to lend support and education to all families, no matter the need.
When I’m not engaged in supporting families and advocating for maternal health, you can find me enjoying a great meditation session, indulging in sushi and acupuncture, or watching ridiculous amounts of home renovation shows. I dream of having a large family consisting of children I have adopted out of love, four cute little pomskies, and a pig named Snout (I can dream it, right?)
Labor Doula
Postpartum Doula
Lactation Counselor
Child Passenger Safety Technician
Childbirth Educator
New Parent Educator
Fertility Advocate
Pregnancy & Infant Loss Advocate
Safe Sleep Ambassador
Covid-Ready Caregiver
Caring for NICU Babies
I have a soft spot for caring for others and helping people reach their full potential. By connecting with and investing in her peers, she is able to lend leadership and mentorship to other caregivers that strive for excellence in the birth industry.
I am a board member for several industry-specific organizations that further fulfill my desires and efforts to help others become emerging leaders:
Newborn Care Specialist Association
Nashville Breastfeeding Coalition
The Doula Book Project
Meet our Volunteers!
Abijah Hunter (she/her)Prenatal Wellness Specialist
Abijah Hunter (she/her)

Prenatal Wellness Specialist
Abijah has always loved movement. Whether it be going to the gym, African dance, hiking, or yoga, movement has always been a way to clear tension in my mind and body. Through refinement, my personal practice, and some amazing instructors, I’ve learned yoga is for everyone in every season of their life. My passion is meeting clients and students unconditionally where they are without judgment, for yoga is an inward journey where you grow the more you put into it. Yoga is prep work for labor and birth, so with me being a birth doula for two years, the two gracefully intertwine. My doula and prenatal yoga styles collide. I practice breathwork with moms to help keep their focus and remain present. By being an authentic supporter, I assist moms to have the birth of their choice by educating them, challenging them in their yoga practice, and setting an uplifting atmosphere for mom during labor for an organic flow to her finish line of bringing a new soul earthside.
Abri Clough (she/her)New Parent and Childbirth Education
Abri Clough (she/her)

New Parent and Childbirth Education
Abri Clough is a wife and mother of 4. Knowing she wanted to instill the values of health and wellness in her children, she began to research and implement holistic practices. Since then, her journey has led her into the birth work space. She is currently a Healthy Birth Ambassador, postpartum doula, and certified breastfeeding specialist. Other genres of interest for Abri include herbalism and conscious parenting. She plans to continue to pursue education in herbalism and nutrition in the near future.
Alexis Sabbs (she/her)Childbirth Educator
Alexis Sabbs (she/her)

Childbirth Educator
Alexis a fertility, birth, postpartum and bereavement doula, She is also a placenta encapsulator and certified childbirth educator. Alexis has a deep passion for helping others and empowering women at any stage of life, especially as they are bringing new life into the world. She has been changing lives as a social worker for several years working with teenagers and now has moved on to manifesting greatness as a doula. She offers her clinical experience to assist in the strengthening of mental health and social functioning in pregnancy and postpartum as well her physical, emotional and spiritual support. She works facilitating trauma healings and occupying space so women and families can bring forth life in all their glory. Alexis is excited to use her creative energy and passion to help guide families into their journey to parenthood.
Alona Wilson (she/her)Childbirth Educator
Alona Wilson (she/her)

Childbirth Educator
Alona has always been enthusiastic about all thing’s childbirth, infant care and family. She believes childbirth is one of the most surreal, natural, and divine experiences. She feels honored to walk with parents through this intimate journey. With many years of childbirth and family experience, Alona is ready to help you and your loved ones prepare for this incredible transition, before and after childbirth. She is certified, through Madriella, as a birth and postpartum doula and childbirth educator. She is also certified, through Women’s Choice Perinatal Services, as a placenta encapsulator and working towards certification, through NASM, as a nutrition coach. Alona is the mother of two adult children and two school-age children, and a licensed foster caregiver. She enjoys nurturing and supporting those around her, homeschooling her school-age children, and cooking and feeding her family wholesome and nourishing meals. Lastly, above all, she is a woman of God.
Amanda Dodson (she/her)Labor Doula, Social Media Manager
Amanda Dodson (she/her)

Labor Doula, Social Media Manager
Amanda is originally from Roswell, Georgia, but has lived in Nashville for the past 4 years. She is a birth doula and (soon to be!) childbirth educator. Amanda has worked with youth in some capacity for the past 9 years as a tutor, Junior High Math teacher, and volunteer with her church. She is passionate about both education and birth work. Everyone deserves the empowerment that comes from both education and adequate support! Amanda is married to her husband, Adam, and has a 4 year old son named David. When she is not doing work with Sunnyside Up Youth, you can find her hanging out with her family, enjoying a good book, or serving in the Young Women’s organization of her local congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Angela Weast (she/her)Labor and Postpartum Doula
Angela Weast (she/her)

Labor and Postpartum Doula
As a proud mom of 2 adult daughters, parenting is Angela’s passion. As an only child growing up without much direction or guidance at home,she values the precious women who mentored her along the way ( and still do). Angela remembers being handed her firstborn daughter and thinking, “What do I do with her?” And when she cried, she called the nurse to ask why! However, she had a support system to help her adjust. Angela understands firsthand that not everyone gets what they need “at home”. Her greatest desire is to be the support that another needs during the most challenging time in their life.
Ari M. Hill (she/her)Labor & Postpartum Doula, Research Coordinator, Moderator
Ari M. Hill (she/her)

Labor & Postpartum Doula, Research Coordinator, Moderator
Ari serves as a research and organization coordinator, as well as a childbirth / new parent educator at Sunnyside Up Youth Services. I am a postpartum doula, and the CEO of L.Elevyn Doula Services. She currently works as a healthcare administrator and has been in the medical field for over 5 years. Ari’s background consists of cardiology post acute care, cardiac rehabilitation, and kinesiology studies. She is passionate about positive and beneficial birthing and postpartum outcomes, as well as womens’ health as a whole.
Ashley Shelley (she/her)Mental Health Specialist
Ashley Shelley (she/her)

Mental Health Specialist
Ashely is a licensed private practice therapist in Nashville, Tn. She works to consistently provide quality and effective therapeutic services that encourage meaningful and sustainable positive outcomes. Promoting engagement in mental health practices within minority communities has been one of her primary focuses. Ashley is also a certified yoga instructor and is in the preliminary stages of becoming a certified doula. Private yoga and guided mediation sessions are a couple of additional provided therapeutic offerings. Along with being a therapist, she enjoys community engagement, blogging, hanging with friends, and travelling.
CaTyra Williams (she/her)Labor & Postpartum Doula
CaTyra Williams (she/her)

Labor & Postpartum Doula
CaTyra is from Nashville, TN and so glad to call this beautiful city home. She is the proud mother of three boys who are her pride and joy. CaTyra is a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula with a passion for supporting women while giving birth, a passion that started at an adolescent age. She always knew she wanted to serve women in some type of capacity with labor and birth.
Being a safe space for women as they endure life-changing moments means the world to CaTyra. She is committed to helping women have the birth they want without judgment. Her focus is on providing educational, emotional, and physical support to the birthing person during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. CaTyra believes every parent deserves to have someone there to guide and assist them in making educated choices about their pregnancy. She is also passionate about parents enjoying their labor, feeling confident, safe, and informed so they can THRIVE through their pregnancy.
Chloe Anderson (she/her)New Parent Educator
Chloe Anderson (she/her)

New Parent Educator
Chloe Anderson was born and raised in Rochester, New York. She is a proud member of the Rochester Black Doula Coalition. She is a full-spectrum doula, herbalist, and parent educator, and has over 25 years of experience working in nonprofits, primarily with mentoring youth. She is pursuing her Certificate in Lactation Consultation. She has a wellness center named Nubian Nurturance which is celebrating its one-year anniversary in August 2022. Her intentions are to transform it into a birthing center. She also sells whipped shea butter, lip balm, healing oil blends, and an all-natural laundry detergent. Her passion is to coach, elevate, and empower families to optimal health.
Desiree Isidore (she/her)Moderator, Licensed Practical Nurse
Desiree Isidore (she/her)

Moderator, Licensed Practical Nurse
Desirée is a new postpartum doula, stay-at-home mom to a fun-loving, adventure-seeking two-year-old and wife to Kerr. Having my son during the pandemic 2 years ago we had very little village present and both my husband and I worked together to take care of my son and learned A LOT. I developed this new passion for motherhood, postpartum and lactation during that time. Some of the things I learned on this journey but not limited to are teaching myself to breastfeed, learning all about cloth diapering, baby wearing and even learning how to care for and nourish myself. I have learned it all and want to make sure I help as many mamas as I can. I became a nurse in 2009 and have worked in pediatrics for the majority of my career as a Licensed Practical Nurse. I love kids, but I’m ready to focus on the care of mothers. I’m originally from northern Virginia, but moved to Tennessee on a whim and now have established my own family and life here. I love trying new recipes and honestly, it may sound cliche but, I love being a mom and wife and spending time with my family. It brings me joy.
Deylen Earl (them/they)Full Spectrum Doula, Student Midwife
Deylen Earl (them/they)

Full Spectrum Doula, Student Midwife
Deylen is a full-spectrum doula and future student midwife. As a trans and queer person, they know how challenging our healthcare system can be to navigate for those of us it wasn’t built to serve. A life-long reproductive health nerd, Deylen has spent the past decade building their systems advocacy skills in the service of breaking down barriers to reproductive care. They are passionate about reproductive justice, about care work, and about showing up for their communities and the people that they love. As a doula, Deylen works alongside clients and their loved ones to support them in becoming experts on their own bodies, in making informed and empowered choices, and in accessing the resources they need. Deylen completed their doula training through Doula Trainings International and is currently enrolled in the pre-midwifery program at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing.
When they’re not working, you can find Deylen in the woods, in the water, at a SONG meeting, volunteering with ARC-Southeast, or spending time at home with their chosen family – Topaz, Avery, and Richard the cat.
Dezaray Skalski (she/her)Labor Doula
Dezaray Skalski (she/her)

Labor Doula
Dezaray moved to Nashville two years ago from Washington, D.C. She is currently a birth doula, infant nanny and infant care specialist! She has 5 years experience in infant care, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Psychology. In addition, Dezaray has studied the psychology of pregnancy and birth at an advanced level. She is incredibly passionate about parental autonomy during birth, as well as ensuring everyone has the emotional support needed to bring new life into the world. She hopes to one day teach doctors, parents and birth professionals about maternal and infant mental health.
In her free time you will likely find her cooking a new dish or hanging out with friends! She also loves to care for her “jungle” of plants.
Ellie Kinard (she/her)Postpartum Wellness Specialist
Ellie Kinard (she/her)

Postpartum Wellness Specialist
Ellie is a wife and mother of two kids living in Nashville, TN. She is trained as a Nutritional Therapist and Birth/Postpartum Doula and works virtually as a Pregnancy and Postpartum Coach. Ellie enjoys being able to enter into this personal and tender stage of life with her clients. They have so many questions and uncertainties and her goal is to help them feel confident and at peace at each stage. Ellie loves hanging out with my family, taking care of our chickens, and trying different hobbies like painting, archery, and gardening.
Kerry Cavanaugh (she/her)New Parent and Childbirth Education
Kerry Cavanaugh (she/her)

New Parent and Childbirth Education
Kerry Cavanaugh is a former Peace Corps Volunteer with a passion for global and maternal and child health. After receiving her Master’s in Public Health from the University of London, she discovered the need to improve maternal health education in Ecuador, so she became a certified Childbirth Educator and trained Lactation Counselor. Kerry loves working with youth and has spent the past eleven years providing health education to teens in many different settings. Kerry lives in Ecuador and has two young boys. She uses both her personal experiences and professional studies to guide and educate mothers during pregnancy and early motherhood.
Sheila Davis (she/her)New Parent Educator
Sheila Davis (she/her)

New Parent Educator
For the past several years Sheila has built my career as a CAPPA Certified Postpartum Doula and Educator. She works closely with parents and families at the start of their lifelong commitment to parenthood. Additionally, She is a well-trained facilitator throughout the processes of birth, hypnobirthing, lotus birth, gentle sleep training, lactation support and baby massage. Sheila’s passion for my career first began when she became a mother and had two amazing sons with my husband of 40 years, Marcus Sr. and now five beautiful grandchildren. Aside from my work as a facilitator of the bond between newborns and their parents, I actively volunteer at Women’s Shelters, specifically for the City of Orange, and throughout my community. It has been and continues to be my greatest honor to serve my community and parents as they raise their families and look forward to the connections and bonds that will be made throughout the area of Dallas, Texas.
Tameria Rule (she/her)Postpartum Wellness Specialist
Tameria Rule (she/her)

Postpartum Wellness Specialist
Tameria is a Mississippi native born and raised in the rural town of Goodman, Ms of Holmes County. Coach Tameria is the mother of two beautiful children who she shares her journey as a mother across social media as a lifestyle blogger. Tameria studied Nutrition and Dietetics at Alcorn State University located in Lorman, MS. She’s served in the Public Health field as a Nutritionist for the last 7- years. After becoming a mother of two and experiencing some of her own Maternal Health struggles, Tameria decided to further training and education in Maternal Health. With her passion for Nutrition and Maternal Health, Tameria developed The Wellness Club.
Tré Moment (she/her)New Parent Educator
Tré Moment (she/her)

New Parent Educator
Tre is driven by passion: a passion for the families she works with and for the care and nurturing of infants and newborns, passion for supporting diversity, and passion for continuing education and enrichment. She is working to renew the voice of Black authority. She brings her unapologetic passion as an equity champion to all families. Regardless of income, race, or community, Tré raises her voice so the impact of her care can be felt everywhere. As a life-long believer in the power of knowledge and enrichment, she is committed to professional development and maintains consistent enrollment in industry-specific classes, training, and certification programs. Tré’s greatest passion remains rooted with the families she works with and by providing well-rounded, respectful, intentional, and loving care to everyone she meets. For Tré, her greatest reward is seeing the impact she has on the life of a child by creating nurturing environments where families can grow and thrive.
Vanity Bonner (she/her)Grief & Loss Advocate, Postpartum Doula
Vanity Bonner (she/her)

Grief & Loss Advocate, Postpartum Doula
Vanity Bonner is a Nashville, TN native raising 4 beautiful children and an energetic cat named Salem. She is a Postpartum Doula,PAIL Advocate, Nicu Unit mom and postpartum depression survivor. Her passion is caring for moms and babies. She enjoys educating, supporting and giving knowledge to families for them to make informed decisions.Vanity’s goal is to have a supportive healing place for families suffering from any postpartum challenges. Vanity has a background in nonprofit philanthropy and fundraising.
Zainab Ismath (she/her)Postpartum Doula and Administrative Assistant
Zainab Ismath (she/her)

Postpartum Doula and Administrative Assistant
Zainab has always been drawn to caregiving roles and feels honoured to be a part of the journey of someone’s transitioning into the next stages of life. After many years of experience of supporting those in the hospice palliative state, she grew into exploring the transformative times of parenthood. Funny enough, these two very different life stages are more similar than one would think. She obtained her birth and postpartum doula training through DONA International and her childbirth educator training through AMANI Birth. Zainab keeps up with her First Aid and CPR certification and is constantly taking additional training in support.
If Zainab’s not volunteering in the community, she’s writing handwritten letters to be mailed to her loved ones, going on long walks in nature, snuggled up reading with a cup of tea or trying out a new recipe.