Meet Our Team

Mary Kate (she/her) is a passionate woman with a thirst for knowledge. Originally on the path to a career in medicine, Mary Kate quickly realized that the difference she had always dreamed of making had more to do with empowering the people she works with rather than diagnosing and treating. With the matriarchs in her family setting a clear example of caring for and educating new parents, Mary Kate refocused her energy and pursued her passion of maternal and child health by becoming a professional doula.

As a child, Mary Kate told anyone who would listen that she would one day grow up to own an adoption agency and an animal shelter. The two businesses would be side by side so that each child would be paired with an animal for love and support. Mary Kate knew then the power of attunement and continuity, and in her work today as a doula, she is constantly reminded of how powerful one can feel when they have the support of someone they feel attuned to by their side.

Mary Kate is a trained and experienced birth and postpartum doula with a background in maternal and pediatric medicine, behavioral and mental health, emergency medicine, and bereavement.

She has specialized training in multiples, high risk and medically complicated pregnancies, and specialized postpartum care.

Mary Kate is also experienced in education (childbirth, postpartum, infant care), photography (birth, postpartum, pregnancy loss), and NICU families (transitions, coping, bonding).

Mary Kate’s doula related training includes the following: DONA International Birth Doula Training; CAPPA Labor Doula Training; CAPPA Postpartum Training; UVMMC Volunteer Doula Program Training; Childbirth Educator Training with Birth-Media;Bereavement and Loss Education; Mental Health & Substance Abuse Counseling; ProDoula Labor Doula; Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care Certificate Program; NILMDTS Medical Affiliate.

Mary Kate’s formal education includes a Bachelor of Science in Medical Biology with a minor in Psychology from the University of New England. She is a formerly Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/ EMT Educator and Practical exam facilitator. Additionally, she is a Certified Pediatric Clinical Assistant, a trained OB/GYN Medical Assistant, and a Certified Pediatric Behavioral Health Professional for the state of Maine.

Mary Kate is a national conference speaker with guest spots on Vermont Public Radio. She is also the cheerleading coach for a competitive youth team and a volunteer for an animal rescue program. In her down time, Mary Kate lives an active lifestyle but also very much enjoys downtime cuddling with her rescued sled dog, Sirius. She and her fiance, Jake, met singing together in a contemporary a capella group called Root7. You’ll know it’s them on the road when music is blaring from the car and they’re dancing behind the wheel while singing along at the top of their lungs!

Haley (she/her) is a pediatric RN, a professionally trained and certified labor and postpartum doula, a new parent educator, and an infant feeding educator. Haley’s extensive compilation of training, education, and accomplishments enhance her support of Vermont families. She has experience supporting a wide variety of families, varying from families with multiples, high-risk pregnancy and birth, cesarean birth, surrogacy, LGBTQ+ families, single parents, and home birth. She has extensive breastfeeding experience and particularly loves and specializes in postpartum overnight support.

Growing up in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, birth and early parenting was normalized by the life experiences that surrounded her. Stemming from a lifelong interest in birth and babies, and following in her aunt’s footsteps, she decided to pursue a career in nursing. While finishing her degree she spent three months as a nurse extern on the Birthing Pavilion of Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. Here she gained invaluable experience in labor and delivery, as well as newborn and postpartum care.

Shortly after she graduated from UVM with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, she began working as an RN for a small pediatric practice in Richmond, Vt (Richmond Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine), where she continues to work to this day. She enjoys the continuity of care that working for a small practice brings and can’t believe how quickly all of her patients are growing up! Haley also worked for two years per diem as a nurse at Northwestern Medical Center (St. Albans, Vt) in their Family Birth Center. While working at the birthing center it became clear to her that something was missing for her. Due to the role of a modern nurse (focusing mostly on the medical aspect of care, administering medications etc…), she was unable to give the individual attention and support to each of her patients that she so desired to give. Her passion for education and individualized support led her to end her time at NMC and pursue her doula career. Haley trained and was certified as a labor doula through CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association).

It wasn’t until the taxing postpartum period that followed the birth of her son, that Haley’s true passion for providing postpartum support was ignited. A long, difficult, medication-free birth, with no sleep for many days, followed by extensive breastfeeding difficulties, and undiagnosed postpartum anxiety led Haley to the revelation that planning for the postpartum period should be as equally emphasized as planning for birth. She trained and is certified as a postpartum doula and new parent educator through CAPPA.

“No one should have a baby and be left to feel isolated, alone, and trapped in a dark and scary place. The postpartum period is powerful and requires tremendous support.” - Haley Parizo

In 2018 Haley officially founded Island Doula, LLC, providing pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support to countless Vermont families. In addition to running Island Doula, in 2019 Haley helped build UVMMC’s Volunteer Doula Program, and then coordinated it until September 2021. She is one of the program’s trainers and still participates in their biannual training for new volunteer doulas.

Over the years Haley has taken various courses to complement her training and certifications: CAPPA’s Annual Conference for Perinatal Professionals; several breastfeeding classes; ProDoula’s Postpartum and Infant Care Doula training; ProDoula’s Infant Feeding Specialist training; childbirth education class; hypnobirthing class; and Postpartum Support International (PSI)'s "2020 Mom" 8 week maternal mental health training. Haley is currently working toward certification with Stillbirthday for bereavement doula services, and Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep; a photography training to provide services for families who are experiencing fetal or infant loss.

Haley reminds her clients that this is their birth, their body, their baby, and their family and that they have choices even when things seem like they are spiraling out of control. She encourages them to take in all of the (usually unasked for...) advice, and information with a grain of salt, and then proceed as it feels most right for THEM!

Haley lives in Grand Isle with her husband, Dustin, who is as passionate about his business, Island Excavating Corp., as she is about Vermont Doula Company! Together they have 2 children, Bryson and Tenley, as well as two cats and two dogs. When not working with clients, you can usually find her listening to audiobooks and podcasts via a single earbud. She also enjoys taking pictures, reading, camping or boating with her family, and traveling to tropical places.

Sarah started volunteering as a labor doula in 2018 with the UVMMC Volunteer Doula Program and has been happily supporting births ever since. She is certified as a labor doula through CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association). She is VDC’s lead labor doula, helping train and mentor VDC’s labor doula teams. Sarah emphasizes helping the birthing person find their own strength and power in labor and birth. Her calm, cheerful, grounded energy is at the birthing family’s service.

Training to be a labor doula and volunteering at births fulfills a very long-term interest in birth work that started when Sarah’s own children were born a whole generation ago. She did some preliminary apprenticing with her homebirth midwife but soon realized that an irregular schedule would not work with what her family needed from her right then. Working as a birth doula now answers a call from thirty-five years ago.

Sarah’s pull towards assisting at births is not necessarily an interest in the medical aspects of pregnancy and birth (although that is quite interesting) but more in the emotional transformation that happens as a birthing person, through their body, creates and extends their family. This rite of passage brings forth undreamed of strength; it is a miracle to be around and a privilege to help with. 

Sarah worked for 15 years as a medical writer/editor and then completely changed careers and spent  10 years working on a vegetable farm. She has been a full-time professional birth doula since the fall of 2022. Sarah lives in Burlington with her husband, loves to garden, walk by the lake, and volunteer at the library.

Halle (she/her) is VDC’s lead postpartum doula, with responsibility for training and mentoring VDC’s postpartum doulas and coordinating clients’ introduction to the company’s services. She is certified as a postpartum doula  through CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association). She has trained to be a Certified Lactation Educator through CAPPA and is finishing her certification requirements.  

Halle studied Early Childhood Education at the University of Vermont. After teaching in preschools around Vermont for several years Halle decided it was time to change gears. In August of 2020 she left teaching to work as a nanny while beginning her postpartum doula career. Infants have always been her favorite age group to work with for as long as she can remember. Halle also worked for two years as a receptionist in a small pediatrician’s office in Richmond, Vt.

When not working, Halle can be found dancing, reading, hiking, taking care of her plants, drinking tea, learning about ways to reduce her carbon footprint, dabbling in the use of essential oils, walking to her local grocery store, spending time with friends and family, and spoiling her hamster, Luna.

Emma (she/her) is a heart-centered space holder and compassionate advocate who is passionate about offering holistic support to birthing people and their families.

Emma is a DONA International certified birth doula as well as a certified massage therapist with specialized training in prenatal and postpartum massage (book a session with her today!). She loves integrating this healing modality into her birth work.

Emma has a professional background in early childhood education, as well as nonprofit communications and development. She is also a volunteer with UVMMC’s Volunteer Doula Program and a certified end-of-life doula. Her work is guided by her commitment to empowering people to reclaim ownership over their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing while working to dismantle the power structures and conditioning that can make that so challenging.

Emma finds joy in gardening, bouldering, yoga, cold plunging, kayaking, playing with her three-legged rescue pup, and her role as a foster parent. She lives with her family in Essex Junction.

Rebecca (she/her) is a certified full-spectrum doula through Doula Trainings International (DTI). Full spectrum doulas specialize not only in labor and postpartum care but also reproductive health as well. Rebecca is a strong believer in the power of education and knowledge when it comes to navigating the ups and downs of preconception, pregnancy, and beyond. Rebecca brings her steady energy, her empathy, and her knowledge to each family she has the honor of working with.

Rebecca’s education background includes her BS in Wildlife Biology from UVM, graduate credits in statistical analysis, environmental sciences, and an array of computer system certifications. These days, her main focus for continued education revolves around birth work with a strong affinity for the lactation consultant path! 

After traveling in 2020 and 2021, Rebecca and her husband settled back in Vermont to start their family. They are now parents to two young children and Rebecca uses her own experiences of pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period to help others navigate these life-changing events.

In addition to doula work, Rebecca is also a business consultant and operations manager, a certified Reiki practitioner, and an ever-learning herbalist. When not wearing one of her many hats, Rebecca fills her cup through family time, mountain biking, camping, gardening, climbing, swimming, and attending live music events.

Morgan (she/her) wears multiple hats at VDC, including coordinating VDC’s educational offerings. She has trained through  CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association) as a labor doula, a postpartum doula, and a lactation educator. With a diverse background in alternative medicine, nursing assistance, and handling emotionally charged situations while working in childcare settings, Morgan brings a rich tapestry of insights to her doula practice. 

Morgan's blend of creativity, practicality, and open-mindedness positions her as an exceptional doula. Her diverse experiences make her a compassionate and understanding guide, ready to support and empower individuals as they embark on their unique birthing and parenting journeys. 

In her spare time Morgan enjoys crocheting, reading, writing poetry, and creative thinking projects. Her favorite city is Boston, and has been since she was 9, when her Girl Scout troop visited the Museum of Science. She fell madly in love with all things dinosaurs and science there too. Morgan resides in Fairfield with her husband and their dog, Biscuit. 

Abagail Hurd (she/her) has experience in both birth and postpartum doula work through her involvement in the Volunteer Doula Program at UVMMC and is pursuing formal certification as a postpartum doula through Childbirth International. Abagail graduated from UVM in 2023 with a BS in Microbiology. While at UVM, she diversified her education by studying French, Women’s Studies, and Public Health. She is particularly interested in how microbiology and public health intersect with pregnancy, birth, and the newborn.  

Abagail believes that doulas are an integral part of bridging women’s health inequities. A knowledgeable and open-minded advocate in your corner can drastically shift one’s birth and postpartum experience. She enjoys seeking information and insight from other cultures’ birth and postpartum practices and philosophies to inform and complement her work. She is honored to witness and support the intense personal growth in the postpartum period for birthing people, babies, and family units. She enjoys providing overnight support as parents often feel renewed confidence and resilience after a good night’s sleep.

Abagail is also a Microbiologist at an environmental laboratory in Williston. Abagail enjoys spending time at home with her partner Austin, a dachshund named Watson, and a cat named Mittens. She grew up on a dairy farm in Vermont and enjoys visiting and caring for the farm animals when she travels home. She enjoys casual downhill skiing in the winter and also loves cooking, baking, and eating.

Izabel (she/her) is a birth doula trained through DONA International and a postpartum doula trained through CAPPA. She is in the final stages of completing her formal certifications for both. Izabel made her way into birth work in 2021 due to a strong desire to be with families at a monumental time. Supporting you and your family through something as special as birth makes her heart sing. She looks forward to supporting your family’s journey through pregnancy and throughout the postpartum period of time.

Izabel is a new resident of Vermont. She moved here from Wisconsin and is originally from Kentucky. Izabel loves the outdoors and Vermont has all the things she appreciates from both places such as the mountains and beautiful snowy winters. In her free time she loves to hike and go white water kayaking and is an avid reader. Izabel expresses her creativity through crocheting, painting, and metalwork, and she loves cooking for others and sharing a love of food with those in her community.

Shari Corr LM, CPM, CMT has spent much of the last two decades immersed in the perinatal community and birth world in Vermont. After her two daughters were born she realized her calling is to help support others through the huge transition of growing a family. Shari is a Certified Massage Therapist (2004), Birth Doula (2006), Postpartum Doula (2009), Childbirth Educator (2010), a practitioner of the Arvigo Techniques for Maya Abdominal Therapy (2012), and a Certified Professional Midwife (2021). For 16 years Shair ran her own successful massage and doula business in Vermont. She is now thrilled to be on the Vermont Doula Company team! 

Shari is honored to have been part of hundreds of births over the years, as well as supporting countless families postpartum. She knows that there are lots of “right” ways to do it (both birth and early parenthood). She loves getting to know families and helping them to discover their unique style. 

In her free time you can usually find Shari in nature; hiking, swimming, cross country skiing, kayaking, or at the beach. She also loves hot yoga, live music, crossword puzzles and getting lost in great books. She is as passionate about traveling as she is about birth and has traveled to 22 different countries so far. She is on a lifetime quest to find the world’s most beautiful natural hot springs. 

Alexis (she/her) is a native (upstate) New Yorker. She originally came to Vermont in 2015 to attend Saint Michael's College and fell in love with the place. She moved back to NY at the start of COVID to be closer to family for the birth of her niece. Two years later, she returned to Vermont to pursue training in parent-child interaction therapy. Alexis has a master's degree in psychology with a focus in child development. She loves working with families and comes to Vermont Doula Company for a change of pace. She completed the postpartum doula training through CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association). She has previous experience working with parents and babies at the Lund Family Center. As an auntie and someone who has worked with kids for many years, one of her catchphrases is "I love returnable kids!" 

Outside of work, she loves spending time with her niece and nephew, her two black cats, gardening, crafting, and listening to podcasts and music. You may find her hammocking in a park with friends or in the water attempting to learn how to kayak. 

Amelia (she/her) is a postpartum doula at VDC. She is trained and certified through ProDoula, formalizing her lifelong experience as the neighborhood babysitter. Growing up, she often found herself jumping from house to house to play with the younger kids and at any family function she could usually be found holding a baby. 

Amelia moved to Vermont in 2021 from San Diego to attend UVM and is currently a senior majoring in Dance and minoring in Health and Society. Her goals for after college are to become a fully certified labor doula as well as to continue the postpartum work she is doing now. Amelia looks forward to helping families during the postpartum period where everything can feel complicated and new. She is patient, kind, and a strong advocate for POC birth workers and families. Knowing how important it is to see someone who looks like you during a very private and intimate stage of life is her driving force. 

Her hobbies include cooking, baking, painting, and anything that involves the outdoors (in the summertime); the winter is still a bit too cold for her. Dancing is a big part of her life and you will often see her grooving if she has a moment to spare. She is passionate about movement and what dance can bring to one's life, she is fierce in advocating that everyone can and should boogie.

Natalie’s (she/her) personal experience of being pregnant during Covid, developing gestational diabetes, and surviving the fourth trimester piqued her interest in perinatal care. She’s thrilled to support VDC’s doulas as the Operations Administrator. 

Additionally, Natalie is a yoga teacher with particular interest in women’s health and specialized training in Restorative Yoga. She completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Heart of the Village Yoga in Manchester, Vt. in March 2020. She teaches subs occasionally at Sangha Studio and SoulShine Power Yoga. 

Natalie’s formal education concluded in June 2017 with her graduation from graduate school. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Poetry from Bennington College, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Emerson College. Most recently her poems appeared in Ms. Aligned 4: Coming of Age. 

Natalie moved to the Green Mountain State with her husband, a native Vermonter, in 2019 in pursuit of that four season lifestyle. Together, they garden, hike, swim, snowboard, and play in their backyard with their son and dog. Alone, Natalie likes to spin, weight train, read, drink coffee, and lie in bed (ideally the last three all together). Her favorite superhero is The Flash and her favorite dinosaur is Diplodocus.

Cynthia (they/them) is VDC's Admin Assistant and general tidy-upper handy person. Cynthia also teaches English and Literacy at the Center for Technology, Essex. They have a background in musical theater and tailoring, but after the birth of their child 14 years ago, decided to go back to school for their teaching degree at UVM.

Cynthia met Mary Kate through the a cappella group Root7, and is thrilled to support VDC’s work by helping them organize schedules and information so they can focus on supporting clients and community members who are going through the life-changing transition of parenthood. Cynthia is extremely passionate about building community, inclusion, and acceptance through education and serving others.

They live in Essex Junction with their human child, Sterling, and two fur babies: Hufflepuff the cat, and Flapjack the guinea pig. They love spending time reading, creating art, and sewing at home, going on hobbit-like adventures in the woods, or being with their found family at Zeno Mountain Farm in Lincoln, Vt.