Doula Bios

Ananda Lowe

Director

Birth & Postpartum Doula

Lactation Specialist

Ananda has been a leader in the local, national, and international doula movements since 1995. She is co-author of The Doula Guide to Birth (Penguin Random House), as well as a Lamaze-trained childbirth educator and a retired Licensed Massage Therapist. Ananda is an expert Lactation Counselor and created our signature program, A Mind/Body Approach to Nursing. She has spoken on parenting topics for FOX News, NPR, and PBS. She is a single mother, a longtime Latin dancer, and she decided to take up the guitar at the age of 50!

Brenda Morris

Postpartum Doula

Brenda grew up in Ireland as the middle of thirteen children, and has cared for babies her whole life. She is a Postpartum Doula, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Eldercare expert. Her specialties include caring for multiples, kids with special needs, LGBTQ families, grandparents, furry friends and historic houses. A mother of teens, Brenda fully breastfed her twins for three years. She is an amazing cook, a former Journeyman carpenter, a long-distance cyclist, and an all-star fundraiser for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. When she's not burping babies, Brenda runs her agency, Boston Caregivers Home Health, LLC.

Celeste LeMieux

Birth & Postpartum Doula

Celeste is an experienced birth and postpartum doula, an expert yoga teacher, and a women’s empowerment coach. In her twenties, Celeste decided that she wanted to help new families to bond deeply. She believes that this desire came from her own experience of being a preemie.

Celeste is a born teacher, whether she's teaching yoga, coaching, or educating new parents on how to care for their newborn! She is calm, patient and kind. She will hold infinite space for how challenging new motherhood can be while reminding you how amazing you are and helping you to believe in yourself!

Celeste LeMieux

Birth & Postpartum Doula

Jenna Howe

Lactation Specialist

Jenna is a birth and postpartum doula who holds Bachelors degrees in Nursing, Psychology, and Neuroscience. She is a former nanny and biotech Laboratory Manager. Jenna finds the most joy in the role of Doula where she can provide comfort, guidance, and empathy to families. Jenna was a professional opera singer as a child and has a special interest in using vocal techniques to help people through labor. She is currently on her own fertility journey and understands first-hand the importance of having support, even before conception!

Jillian Hollis

Postpartum Doula

Office Coordinator

Jillian is passionate about all areas of growing families and newborns, and has provided expert support to new families for nearly two decades. She is a trained Newborn Care Specialist, Postpartum Doula, Miscarriage Doula, Certified Sleep Coach, Car Passenger Safety Technician, a professional nanny and a member of the International Nanny Association. Jillian is looking forward to certifying as a Lactation Counselor later this summer! She currently resides in Boston with her husband and pandemic puppy, Hamilton.

Kerri Babish

Birth & Postpartum Doula

Lactation Specialist

Kerri is a full-spectrum doula who provides birth and postpartum support for the Boston Doula Circle team. She has had a passion for helping children and families throughout her life, from babysitting as a teen, to her fourteen years as a public school teacher, to her current doula work. As a mother of three, Kerri often says she wishes she could go back and impart the wisdom she now has to the first-time mom version of herself. Since that's not possible, she's pleased to pass it along to new and growing families instead! Kerri loves working with families of all shapes and structures, and she has a special place in her heart for helping support big siblings as they welcome new babies into their homes!

Joanne Daley

Postpartum Doula

Joanne is a doula as well as professional Massage Therapist with more than 20 years of experience in settings including hospitals, spas, and retreat environments. A teacher of Massage Therapy techniques for professionals and Infant Massage for parents, she specializes in Ayurvedic body treatments, and Swedish, Craniosacral, Prenatal and Postpartum Massage. Joanne’s personal experience with high-risk pregnancy, maternal bedrest, and parenting a preemie motivates her to support parents as they navigate gaps in their care and advocate for their needs.

Emma Braga

Birth & Postpartum Doula

Emma is a birth doula and public health graduate student at Boston University. She decided to become a doula because she wanted to do more than just study maternal and child health, she wanted to be a part of it. She supports a compassionate approach that focuses on empowerment during labor and birth, consent, and advocacy throughout the whole birthing experience. This past summer she spent a month working in a birth center in Guatemala and was able to support several women through natural childbirth. During her time off she likes to spend time with family and friends, go to the beach and explore Boston.

Nina Sauer-Tondu

Postpartum Doula + Newborn Care Specialist

Nina is a trained Newborn Care Specialist who has been working with children since she was a teen. Working as a professional nanny for the past seven years helped Nina realize where her true passion lies -- supporting parents as they navigate the newborn stage. Nina also loves assisting families with personal organization, doing puzzles, and shopping at the farmers market. She lives in Boston with her husband Zach and their two cats, Nora and Beans.