Founder Shannon Hernandez
Shannon Hernandez, a mother of three, has been helping families in maternal health since 1997, beginning as a Birth Doula in New York City. In 2004, Shannon was certified as a Postpartum Doula in Los Angeles by Ann Grauer (Original founder of Doulas of North America). She was also certified in 2011 by Cappa as a Childbirth Educator before becoming a pediatric sleep consultant.
Shannon has had the honor of working with world-renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Diana Barnes. This furthered her expertise in preventing and navigating postpartum mood disorders for her clientele. She's worked with countless pediatricians and other post-natal colleagues to expand her knowledge and skillset as a doula and pediatric sleep consultant. Working with other experts in the field has shaped her 28-year career assisting hundreds of families through the birthing and postpartum transition. Shannon has been featured in several media projects (see press page).
In addition to consulting for parents, as President and Founder of Dream Team Doulas, Shannon has trained and mentored countless doulas around the country and is responsible for evaluating the standard of care and service given by the Doulas on her team. Each Doula has been chosen by Shannon based on their specific qualifications. In addition to the doula's experience and certification, Shannon holds each member to the highest standards of care by personally instructing continuing education, business ethics, and etiquette. Shannon is still an active doula and works beside her team in the field.
Shannon credits her successful career to her gift of empathy and emotional intelligence when caring for her clients as unique individuals. Her extraordinary service to each family has resulted in her becoming a leader in the maternal health industry, growing one of the most sought out reputable consulting practices in North America. Shannon and her team are passionate about giving back to the communities they serve and offer pro bono services to low-income families.
During her free time, Shannon practices yoga, mindfulness and playing the piano. She enjoys spending time in nature and cooking for her family. Her hobbies include interior design, reading and painting.
Shelbi Nelsen
Melinda Menning
Melinda Menning
Postpartum and Birth Doula
Shelbi is a passionate mother of one incredible son. Her journey into motherhood ignited a deep desire to educate and empower mothers, inspiring them to manifest their vision of birth, pregnancy, and postpartum through informed decision-making, unwavering support, and genuine companionship.
Since 2011, Shelbi has been a dedicated massage therapist, specializing in prenatal massage and bodywork, fostering a nurturing space for expectant mothers. Shelbi then expanded her expertise by completing a hypnobirthing instructor course, furthering her commitment to holistic and empowering birthing experiences. As a birth doula, Shelbi has worked closely with many mothers, offering preparation, guidance, and emotional support to enhance their journey into labor and birth.
Shelbi finds joy in volunteering at pregnancy help centers and her son's school, along with advocating for the well-being of animals by working with rescues. Additionally, she embraces her love for culinary arts, by specializing in cuisines from around the world.
Shelbi is a multifaceted individual dedicated to nurturing and uplifting those around her, creating a positive impact in the lives of mothers, children, and the community.
Melinda Menning
Melinda Menning
Melinda Menning
Postpartum Doula
Melinda is a devoted mother of four wonderful children, including a set of energetic triplets. Melinda's commitment to education goes beyond the typical classroom, as she has embraced the rewarding challenge of homeschooling her children for nearly two decades, fostering an environment of curiosity, exploration, and love of learning.
Melinda is not only a dedicated mother and educator but also a certified postpartum doula, offering invaluable support to new mothers navigating the challenges and joys of the postpartum period. Engaging with her community has always been a priority, from serving as a 1st-grade teacher and directing VBS preschool programs to nurturing the youngest members of the church in the nursery. She also channels her energy into young adults, driven by a passion for mentoring and guiding the next generation. Melinda's heart extends to Ghana, Africa, where she plays a pivotal role in a non-profit ministry called ETWENE, focusing on helping teens transition into adulthood by providing essential support such as mentoring, scholarships, life skills, and a foundation rooted in discipleship.
Join her on this extraordinary journey of growth, learning, and nurturing, where threads of family, education, community service, and postpartum doula expertise come together to make a positive impact.
Tammy Beaver
Melinda Menning
Tammy Beaver
Postpartum Doula
Tammy Beaver is an extraordinary mother and grandmother with over 30 years of dedicated experience as a childcare provider. Her rich background includes serving three different school districts in various capacities, from developmental education provider to infant-caregiver and after-school program coordinator. Tammy's extensive expertise as a developmental coach and in-home nanny set the stage for her true calling as a postpartum doula in 2016.
Since then, she has been a pillar of support for numerous families and high-profile clients in the Austin and surrounding areas, bringing comfort and guidance during the precious postpartum period.
Beyond her professional commitments, Tammy finds joy in spending quality time with her family and loved ones. Her hobbies, including reading, hiking, fishing, and tennis, reflect her love for both relaxation and adventure. Tammy's compassionate heart
extends beyond her family and hobbies as she volunteers in the juvenile
court system as a dedicated youth advocate. As a child mentor, she serves as a voice for many youth in the
foster care system.
We are proud to have Tammy Beaver on our Dream Team, where her wealth of experience and genuine commitment to the well-being of families make a lasting impact. Her unique blend of expertise and warmth creates a nurturing environment that resonates with all those fortunate enough to work with her.
Kathryn Harris
Victoria Rodriguez
Stephanie Jackson
Postpartum Doula
Kathryn is a devoted mother to two beautiful daughters alongside her loving and supportive husband. A caring and compassionate soul, Kathryn discovered her calling for maternal health work from a young age. Her diverse caregiving experiences include tending to the elderly, teaching Sunday School to first and second-graders, and currently providing care in her church nursery. In her leisure time, Kathryn finds joy in reading, cooking, and baking for her family.
Beyond her community involvement, Kathryn operates an online health and wellness business dedicated to assisting families and breastfeeding mothers in obtaining the care they need. Drawing from her personal journey of success and challenges in breastfeeding, Kathryn is passionate about providing breastfeeding support and is well-versed in addressing latch and tongue-tie issues.
We are delighted to have Kathryn as an integral part of our Team, where her commitment to compassionate care enriches the support we offer to families during the transformative postpartum period.
Stephanie Jackson
Victoria Rodriguez
Stephanie Jackson
Postpartum Doula
Meet Stephanie, a devoted mother to two children whom she homeschooled for an impressive 18 years. Stephanie's interest in postpartum doula work was sparked after she had a transformative experience with her doula following her first birth. Having attended multiple births herself, Stephanie is driven by a profound desire to support others on their journey through motherhood. Her passion lies in aiding mothers as their bodies heal and they form deep bonds with their babies.
Mindfulness is a cornerstone of Stephanie's approach, emphasizing its importance in the care she provides. Beyond her doula expertise, Stephanie is a current Reiki Master Practitioner, a former yoga teacher, and has contributed her skills to after-school programs and church nurseries. In her free time, she finds joy in gardening, connecting with nature, and engaging in daily meditation.
Stephanie's spiritual and holistic approach make her an integral part of her clients' postpartum journey, and we are grateful to have her as a valuable member of our Dream Team.
Victoria Rodriguez
Victoria Rodriguez
Victoria Rodriguez
Postpartum Doula
Victoria is a mother to two wonderful grown children and a proud grandmother. She has been a professional in the childcare industry since 2003 as a high-profile nanny. Victoria is bilingual and also has an extensive medical background. Victoria joined Dream Team Doulas in 2022 becoming a certified postpartum doula. She currently splits her time between the medical field and our postpartum doula clients. Victoria's maternal and inviting nature creates a comforting atmosphere for new parents. She has a passion for serving our low income families through Dream Team Doula pro bono work. She has also worked for some of our high-profile families and has accepted opportunities to travel with them.
Beyond her nurturing side, Victoria's witty and humorous personality adds joy and happiness to the families she serves. In her off time, Victoria cherishes moments spent with family. She enjoys the outdoors, live music and traveling.
Miriam Heydari
Vice President/Accounting
Miriam joined Dream Team Doulas in 2023 as our accounting and client financial relations specialist. As the Founder 's first born daughter and the original inspiration of Dream Team Doulas, Miriam inspired her mother to pursue the postpartum sector of the Doula world. She is currently finishing up her degree in Communications at UCLA . When she is not advancing her mother or father in their respective business ventures, Miriam enjoys surfing, volunteering with the homeless, and fostering animals. Miriam is also passionate about the arts and is a classically trained ballerina of 11 years. Miriam's skillset in accounting and bookkeeping keeps our team organized while she handles the numbers which allows for everything to run smoothly.
Sapharra Baldinger
Marketing/Social Media Director
Sapharra is the newest member of Dream Team Doulas and is a mother to a beautiful teenage daughter. Sapharra is an international traveler and she has turned this passion into a career by writing for several publications about her traveling experiences. Sapharra writes for other niches as well, such as, tech, A.I, and local and national news outlets. Sapharra brings these skills to Dream Team Doulas by managing and writing articles for our blog. The community greatly benefits from Sapharra's informative articles helping young families navigate parenthood. She holds a degree in law and brings her expertise in public relations, marketing and social media management to the team. She loves the outdoors and enjoys hiking and kayaking in her free time. We are so happy to have her on the team!
Madison White
Postpartum Doula
Madison is a dedicated childcare professional with eight years of diverse experience in the industry. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Sciences, which solidified her passion for working with families and children. While her early career involved preschool teaching and nannying, Madison's focus gradually narrowed to specialize in infant care.
Seeking to combine her teaching and nannying expertise, Madison discovered postpartum doula work, a perfect fit for her skills.
Madison is eager to support new families as they navigate the physical, emotional adjustments and the crucial need for rest during the postpartum period. Her extensive infant care background has equipped her with a patient and empathetic approach, allowing her to effectively address the needs of both the newborn and the mother. Outside of her doula work, Madison enjoys baking, photography, exploring new restaurants with her husband, and taking her cat Nadia for walks.