SPEAKERS
Niesha D. Darden Niesha D. Darden is a multifaceted individual, encompassing various roles as a mother, clinical research coordinator, postpartum doula, maternal-child health research consultant, and perinatal health advocate. Her personal experiences as a mother have deepened her understanding and compassion in her professional roles, guiding her commitment to supporting families throughout their unique journeys. Professionally, Niesha plays a pivotal role managing and contributing to grant funded research studies in the Intensive Care Nursery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and in the NICU at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Shirley Smith Shirley Smith is a business owner, non-profit founder, author, speaker, mentor, life coach, teacher and wife to NBA Two-Time Champion, JR Smith. She was raised with her two brothers by her single mother in Newark, NJ where they had to overcome inner-city adversities. As the proud mom of Dakota, also known as Kota Bear, who was born a micro- premature baby at 22 weeks, she founded the non-profit My Kota Bear, Inc. to serve NICU families. Shirley’s experiences of being raised in the inner city of Newark, work in Early Childhood Education and the passing of her mother at the age of 21 fueled her passion to uplift and give back to those around her. Theresa Pettaway Theresa Pettaway, the Founder and Executive Director of Pettaway Pursuit Foundation, is a passionate maternal and child health advocate inspired by her lived experiences as a mother of three premature babies. Established 2001, the Pettaway Pursuit Foundation, Inc. (PPF), a nonprofit organization spanning Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, serves as Theresa’s platform for pioneering collaborations between doulas and managed care agencies. This initiative aims to provide doula services to the Medicaid population. Theresa actively participates in various advocacy initiatives, including Doula Town Halls, Surveys, and significant events like the Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee Hearing on Meaningful Solutions to Maternal Mortality - Doula Care and Coverage, demonstrating her dedication to maternal health improvement.
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