Professor Frank Louwen is the current President of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and a globally recognized leader in maternal and prenatal health. He serves as Professor and Head of the Division of Obstetrics and Fetomaternal Medicine at Goethe University Hospital in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, where he has dedicated his career to advancing obstetrics, prenatal medicine, and reproductive health. After completing his residency in gynecology and obstetrics at the University of Münster, Germany, and earning his doctorate with a thesis on the diagnostic criteria of HELLP syndrome, Professor Louwen progressed through leadership roles in prenatal medicine and reproductive health. Since 2002, he has been a full professor and director of the Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine at Goethe University, shaping clinical practice, education, and research in the field. Professor Louwen has held prominent positions in numerous professional organizations, including as President of the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (EBCOG), founding and past president of the German-Israel Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics, and president of the German Women’s Health Foundation. His contributions to the field have been recognized with honorary fellowships and memberships from leading organizations worldwide, including RCOG (UK), FOGSI (India), RCPI (Ireland), MOGSI (India), CNGOF (France), AOG (Ukraine), SOG (Israel), and AGOS (USA). Throughout his career, Professor Louwen has remained committed to improving prenatal and perinatal care, shaping global standards, and fostering education and research to advance the health and well-being of women and families around the world.
Christiane Northrup, M.D., is visionary pioneer in women’s health, a board-certified OB/GYN, and New York Times bestselling author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, The Wisdom of Menopause and Goddesses Never Age. Dr. Northrup has hosted 8 highly successful public-television specials. Her work has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, the Today Show, NBC Nightly News, The View, Rachael Ray, Good Morning America, 20/20, and The Dr. Oz Show, among many others. Dr. Northrup was named one of the “100 Most Trusted People in America” by Reader’s Digest (2013), and one of Oprah Winfrey’s “Super Soul 100”—a group of leaders using their voices and talent to awaken humanity (2016). Dr. Northrup has also been named one of the “Watkins Spiritual 100”—a list of living people that make a unique and spiritual contribution on a global scale (2020, 2021, 2022). In December 2022 Dr. Northrup was 1 of 6 women to receive the Zelenko Foundation’s Rosa Parks Award for her courage in standing up for the truth and medical freedom during a time of unprecedented censorship. She continues to inspire and awaken humanity through live events, her website DrNorthup.com, social media presence on Facebook/Meta, Twitter, Instagram, podcasts on her True North on Substack, and through her line of health and personal care products, Amata Life.
Jaap van der Wal Ph.D. is a medical doctor and former associate professor of Anatomy and Embryology at the University of Maastricht, Holland, retiring in 2012. He specialized in functional anatomy, connective tissue, and proprioception, gradually developing interests in Philosophy of Science, Medical Anthropology, and especially human embryology. Passionate about the embryo as a dynamic process, he applies a Goethean phenomenological approach, using dynamic morphology to explore human development and existence. Since retirement, he has focused on Embryo in Motion, teaching ‘Embryosophy’ worldwide in fields including Craniosacral Therapy, Osteopathy, Polarity Therapy, Prenatal Psychology, and Trauma Therapy. His research spans fascia function, embryonic development, evolution, and genetics, bridging spirituality and natural science. Inspired by Rudolf Steiner, Jan Hendrik van den Berg, and phenomenology, he integrates science and spirituality through dynamic morphology. Jaap is an acclaimed speaker and author, teaching both professionals and lay audiences globally, and continues to promote his vision through Embryo in Motion.
Prinscilla Moore embodies compassionate leadership and visionary change in maternal health. As President of CAPPA International, one of the world’s largest perinatal professional organizations, she is redefining how families are supported from pregnancy through postpartum. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and lifelong nurturer, Prinscilla’s purpose-driven journey began when she witnessed the devastating rise in maternal mortality—especially among Black women—after birth. Transforming concern into action, she founded Delighted to Doula Postpartum Services, a model of excellence in community-based care where empathy, education, and innovation save lives. Through her leadership, CAPPA has entered a new era of purpose and unity, standing as a global voice for maternal wellness, equity, and professional excellence. Prinscilla Moore continues to prove that when we invest in those who care for families, we change the world for generations to come.
Debbie Young, the current ICEA President, has devoted over 30 years to her family and other families in the “childbearing year”. As a mom to 5, she found a passion for helping pregnant, birthing and postpartum families. She has a Bachelor’s in Health Promotion: Women’s Health and a Master’s in Leadership. Debbie has worked with over 5,000 families in hospitals and private settings as a childbirth educator, birth and postpartum doula and lactation specialist. She is also an ICEA approved Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula and Childbirth Educator Trainer. She also offers in-services to medical professionals. Debbie speaks nationally, and internationally, and is also a podcaster, and creates webinars and conferences for birth professionals. She feels honored to lead ICEA. Her heart’s passion has always been to help families have the best pregnancy to postpartum experience they can have. She believes that by helping create more birth workers in this arena, her “pebble in the pond” will grow even larger. She chose ICEA because of the supportive spirit for our members and genuine commitment to families we have. The Circle of Care is a place she is proud to serve. Debbie is currently working with others to help our new board members “hit the road running” and is also looking for members to serve on committees so they can also help ICEA live out it pledge. If you feel called to serve, please connect!
Robin Shadle is the Executive Director of Lamaze International, a nonprofit organization founded in 1960 and dedicated to advancing safe, healthy pregnancy, birth, and early parenting through evidence-based education and advocacy. She brings more than twenty years of experience in nonprofit leadership and maternal and child health, with a focus on strengthening the childbirth education workforce and expanding access to informed, respectful care for families worldwide.
Laura is the Vice-President of ANEP Brazil (National Association for Prenatal Education). Since the late 1970s, she has been a proponent of the powerful influence of a mother’s inner life on the formation of her prenate. She often leads workshops and gives talks about prenatal parenting at conferences and webinars for birth professionals and the public at large in the Americas and Europe. She also addresses high schools and university students on the subject of prenatal and perinatal psychology. The name of one of her most effective workshops is "Pro Mundo Nascer Feliz" (For the World to be Born Happy).
Susana Lopes is an international educator, author and advocate for the prenatal period as the foundation of lifelong health and well-being. With more than twenty years of experience teaching prenatal and postnatal yoga, pilates, and breathwork, she has supported women in improving their health, relieving stress and anxiety, and deepening their connection with their babies. She is the founder and leads the international initiative World Pregnancy Day - March 22, fostering global alliances to improve the maternal and baby experience, and to promote respect, dignity, and human rights.
Raylene Phillips, MD, MA, FAAP, FABM, IBCLC is the President of APPPAH - Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health. She is also a neonatologist with a passion for the physical and emotional wellbeing of babies. After raising three children as a stay-at-home mother, she received a Master’s Degree in Developmental Psychology, became NIDCAP certified as a Preterm Infant Developmental Specialist, and then attended medical school at University of California, Davis, graduating in 2004. Dr. Phillips completed her Pediatric Residency and Neonatology Fellowship at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital in Loma Linda, CA and is currently an attending neonatologist at the same hospital as well as Medical Director of Neonatal Services and Pediatric Department Chair at Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta. Raylene is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and is a Fellow of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Her primary areas of interest are supporting the physical wellbeing of newborns and healthy emotional connections between babies and their parents before and after birth. Raylene Phillips lives in Redlands, CA, USA.
Since 2022 President of ISPPM - International Society for Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and Medicin. Kola is a Graduate social worker, non-medical practitioner (psychotherapy since 1996), Systemic Constellation facilitator (recognized by and member of the DGfS), Leader of trainings in System Constellations in Germany, Ireland and Spain. Co-founder (with partner Jochem Stienen) of the JoKo - Institute for Continuing Education 2006. Chairwoman of "Lahar" Association for Conscious Childbirth and Family e.V., 11 years instructor in childbirth preparation.
Olga Gouni, an expert in Prenatal Psychology, has been engaged in Education, Research and Development of Prenatal Sciences for almost 30 years. She founded the Research Institute of Prenatal Sciences SOPHIA and the International Journal of Prenatal & Life Sciences. An active member of COST ACTION for over 12 years, author, editor of collective authorship projects, designer of educational programmes in Prenatal Sciences, Professional Education Trainer of many successful educational courses in the field of prenatal psychology internationally and the specialization program in Whole-Self Prebirth Psychology and creator of the Health Promotion Program "WELCOME" for pregnant couples with a focus on the (unborn) baby. Her vision/ mission is to synthesize and organize the acquired knowledge in the field of Prenatal Sciences and bridge the Academia with the professionals in the field of Prenatal Psychology.
Carmen Carballo is a Professor of Art History, Theater, and Theater Pedagogy. She serves as President of the National Association of Prenatal Education (ANEP) in Spain and as Vice President of the World Organization of Prenatal Education Partnerships (OMAEP). She is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Spanish-speaking Alliance for Perinatal and Family Mental Health, and works as a writer and lecturer.
Gino Soldera, psychologist and psychotherapist, former professor of Psychology and Prenatal Education at IUSVE in Mestre-Venice, and a member of the Scientific Committee of the Italian School for "Care in Perinatology." He edits the journal "Il Giornale Italiano si Psicologia e di Educazione Prenatale" (The Italian Journal of Psychology and Prenatal Education) of ANPEP (National Association of Psychology and Prenatal Education), of which he is President. He is the author of numerous national and international publications and articles, including "Knowing the Child's Character Before He Is Born," "The Emotions of Prenatal Life," "Loveful Pre-Massage," "Educating First," "Moms and Dads. Expecting a Child," "Educating to Be, to Become Who We Are," and "The Child: Humanity's First Heritage."
Yuko is a Prenatal Memory Navigator, English/Japanese Trans-Creator, an International Coordinator aiming to be a global Social Entrepreneur. She is an international Coordinator for the Prenatal Memory Education Association and has launched the Prenatal Memory Global Project in 2018 with top leading researchers, Dr. Akira Ikegawa and Dr. Masayuki Ohkado. She believes prenatal memory is the foundation of Trans-Universal Heutagogy which is the greatest global education and self-learning method to teach unconditional love, sustainable living and how to build a peaceful future for our children
OB-GYN doctor, author, and lecturer with an extensive research background on the concept of Prenatal Memory. He distributed about 3,600 questionnaires consisting of 85 questions in 2002 and 2003 and continued interviewing people with Prenatal Memory. He guides how to communicate with babies in the womb for pregnant mothers at his clinic and delivers lectures nationally and internationally about the extraordinary stories he discovered from Prenatal Memory research. Videos with English subtitles are available on the Prenatal Memory YouTube channel.
Dr. Cherionna Menzam-Sills, PhD began teaching Embodied Embryology through somatic movement in 1997 as part of her doctoral studies in Pre- & Perinatal Psychology, which led to her teaching at Naropa University and the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. She has taught and facilitated Pre- and Perinatal Psychology/Therapy, Continuum (a mindful movement practice), and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy internationally, often with her husband, Biodynamics pioneer Franklyn Sills. She offers post-graduate training for practitioners to enhance their skill in recognizing and meeting prenatal and birth material arising in session work, as well as small womb surround process workshops, for which she is an approved facilitator through Castellino Trainings. Her background includes extensive study with Pre- and Perinatal Psychology pioneers William Emerson and Ray Castellino, and Continuum founder, Emilie Conrad, who authorized her to teach Continuum in 2007. Cherionna has authored three books, The Breath of Life: An Introduction Craniosacral Biodynamics, Spirit into Form: Exploring Embryological Potential and Prenatal Psychology, and the recently published The Prenatal Shadow: Healing the Traumas Experienced before and at Birth. Cherionna is committed in her work & life to embodied presence.
Liz McGregor is a Nutritional Therapist, Naturopath, Lactation Consultant, and Wellbeing Coach. Her work focuses on supporting parents and babies to prevent health issues and helping adults recover from chronic illnesses. With a background in Developmental Psychology and experience in child development research, she keeps abreast of the latest findings on infant feeding, disrupted immune systems, and early development. After overcoming her own long-term health challenges, she earned diplomas in Naturopathic Nutrition, Naturopathy, and Wellbeing Coaching. Liz is particularly concerned with the impacts of undernutrition, birth environments, microbiome health, and developmental trauma, including the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). She collaborates closely with health professionals to apply this knowledge in practical, life-changing ways. Liz has contributed to All-Party Parliamentary Groups on the Human Gut Microbiome and Infant Feeding and Inequality, and has provided research input to NICE guidelines on behalf of Lactation Consultants of Great Britain.
Professional musician and classical guitar teacher trained at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid. Graduate in Education. She has dedicated her professional life to musical education in various specialties, including CANTO PRENATAL and MÚSICA EN LA CUNA. Since her adolescence, she has studied, researched and explored the world of extrasensory perception and spirituality. Recently, she completed a Master's degree in Extrasensory Perception with the ICLOBY Foundation, presenting a thesis on la CONSCIENCIA PERINATAL and la COMUNICACIÓN PRENATAL EXTRASENSORIAL, focusing her work and research on prenatal existence. She shares this knowledge and interviews with teachers and key figures from various fields of knowledge on her YouTube channel ANTES de NACER and on the Ivoox podcast ANTES de NACER.
Tao Wei is an artist and art therapist who founded her personal design studio in 1999. She is the co-founder of Han Art Space in Beijing’s 798 Art District and the initiator of the “Healing Through Art” project there. Tao is a senior art collection consultant and co-founder of the “Exploratory Study on Art Therapy for Improving Grief Levels in Women with Fetal Loss” project at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, where she also instructs practical sessions at the Art Therapy Studio, School of Art and Education Management, Central Academy of Fine Arts. Additionally, she serves as Art Therapy Director for the China Family Planning Association’s Center for Prenatal and Early Childhood Care (Peking Union Medical College Hospital site) and leads workshops in art therapy at the hospital’s Pregnancy School.
Jennifer Kozlow is ICCE-IAT, CD, ITP, ICPFE, Director PREVIDA Foundation Certified Perinatal Educator and Trainer of innovative methodologies for more effective childbirth preparation courses. Author, Editor of Maternity Health publications and International Conference Speaker.
Leslie P. Stone MD, IFMCP, board certified in Family Practice, with a fellowship in Surgical Obstetrics. She is an international lecturer on Developmental Programming of Health and Disease (DOHaD) and optimization of maternal and neonatal outcomes though application of targeted systems medicine-based care during preconception and pregnancy. She is a co-founder with Emily Rydbom BCHN of GrowBabyHealth.com, an individualized nutrition and lifestyle program promoting generational health. Since 1982 Leslie has delivered over 5000 children. She is owner of Stone Medical in Ashland Oregon. She continues to practice obstetrics at Asante Ashland Community Hospital. Her ongoing clinical research centers on combining developmental programming of health and systems medicine applied pre-conceptually and during pregnancy to optimize maternal and neonatal outcomes, with the intention of reducing the global epidemic of non-communicable disease. “A Standard of Care-Plus Model for Preterm Birth Prevention: Integrating Nutrient and Gene Variant Analysis with Targeted Interventions: A Prospective Observational Study” is in review at BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.
Reiko Kishimoto is a licensed midwife and RN. Her personal childbirth experiences in Boston/ revealed the delicate balance between physical and mental well-being. In 2008, she founded the Kishimoto Maternity Center in Japan, which focused on comfort and happiness. Reiko stands at the forefront of a movement, fostering a community that embraces natural hormone secretion with a holistic approach supported by doulas, birth attendants, and family members. Through her work, she envisions a future where childbirth is a shared, celebrated experience, transcending cultural norms and embracing women's innate strength. Aspiring to make SAN-BA a universal language.
With a decade of experience as a midwife and nurse, Hoshiko Shibata has worked in neonatal care units and intensive care units following pediatric cardiac surgery. Driven by a desire to deepen her understanding of the female body, she began studying bodywork to explore how to support bodily adjustments during pregnancy and postpartum. She has delivered numerous lectures on infant growth and development and is the author of several widely acclaimed books on the topic.
MA RCST BTAA FRSA, Bowen Technique & Craniosacral Therapy. After studying music at Oxford, John developed a strong interest in body-orientated psychotherapy and meditation. He has been practising the Bowen Technique and Craniosacral Therapy full time since 1995. He is a former chairman of the Bowen Association of the UK, the Craniosacral Therapy Association of the UK and the Cranial Forum, the lead body established to oversee the implementation of national standards of practice for the profession in the UK. He is a former examiner for the University of Oxford examinations board and is advisor on education and training for the Bowen Forum under the Prince of Wales’ Foundation for Integrated Health. John was accredited by the Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia to teach the Bowen Technique in 1999 and has since then, taught in many countries throughout the world including Denmark, Norway, Israel, USA, Australia, Kuwait, El Salvador, Sweden, Ireland, Austria and Germany. He was awarded a lifetime membership of the Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia in 2004. He also lectures complementary practitioners on pregnancy and childbirth all over the world. He is the author of four books on complementary therapies and developed a specialised Craniosacral training course for midwives which was the first of its kind to be accredited by the Royal College of Midwives.
Francois is the President of the Canadian Association for Prénatal Education (C.A.P.E.), director of I.D.E.A.L. Family, member of O.M.A.E.P. and student of prenatal education since 1986. Osteopath (D.O.) oriented towards couples, pregnant women and newborns for the last 25 years. Lecturing and teaching prenatal education as well as Pediatric and Obstetric Osteopathy throughout Canada, the US, Brazil, France and Russia.
Nina Ketscher is a Holistic and Integrative Therapist working with moms, babies, children and parents and former APPPAH Vice President, Director of Education and Programs. Trained in both Western Psychology (Somatic, Pre & Perinatal, and Energy) and Eastern Healing Wisdoms, Nina expands upon commonly known practices for supporting healthy conception, pregnancy, birth, and parenting. Her sessions and workshops gently release past traumas and lovingly support ways to optimize the womb environment before, during, and after pregnancy. The knowledge and practices allow more conscious connection between mother and baby, and leads to creating happy, peaceful, and divinely connected thriving relationships and families.
Elizabeth Carman, PhD (H), PPNE, is a leading researcher and author on prebirth consciousness and the spiritual journey into human life. Together with her husband, Dr. Neil Carman, she has written three influential books—Cosmic Cradle (1999, 2013) and Babies Are Cosmic (2019)—exploring prebirth communication, prenatal awareness, and the soul’s purpose in human incarnation. Since 1989, she has interviewed mothers who experienced prebirth connections with their unborn children through dreams, visions, telepathy, and other intuitive means, as well as adults and children with vivid prebirth memories. Her research documents babies’ advanced awareness in the womb, including telepathic communication, recognition of emotional states, and early memory formation. Carman’s work integrates prenatal and perinatal psychology, medicine, and ethnological, philosophical, and spiritual traditions from around the world. She demonstrates that unborn and newborn children are conscious, sentient beings capable of forming early bonds, perceiving their environment, and expressing their inherent intelligence. Through her books, lectures, and research, she highlights the profound depth of human awareness before birth and its lifelong significance.
Carla Machado is the founder and President of ANEP Brazil (National Association for Prenatal Education), and is also an Psychotherapist, Prenatal Educator, Astrologist, and Flower Essences Therapist. She worked as a System Analyst for 12 years at IBM, and changed gears in 1998 after the birth of her first child and became a facilitator of therapeutic women's groups that work with fairy tales and art therapy.
Jillaine Jacobs is a maternal and family health practitioner based in Cape Town, South Africa. As the founder of JLK Maternal and Family Care, she specializes in maternity, labor and birthing management, community nursing, psychiatry, general nursing, and palliative care. Through her work, Jillaine is committed to spreading joy, love, and kindness by supporting families during the perinatal period, emphasizing holistic well-being for both mothers and their babies.
Ayşegül Boz Baltacı is a birth and postpartum doula and educator. Drawing from her cross-cultural experience, she supports both pregnant women and birth professionals in navigating the transformative journey of birth across international settings. As a founding member of the Doula Alliance of Turkey, she contributes to the development of the doula community in her country. She is also a core organiser of the European Doula Network (EDN).
Geraldine Nyaku is a health and rights advocate with over a decade of experience in civil society, focusing on maternal, newborn, and adolescent health, as well as women’s rights and the prevention of gender-based violence. She has led campaigns at grassroots levels, engaged with government agencies, and contributed to policy development. Geraldine is the former National Coordinator for the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood in Zimbabwe and currently works as a researcher for the Judicial Service Commission of Zimbabwe. She holds a BA in Law from the University of Johannesburg, a postgraduate degree in Women’s Rights in Africa from the University of Pretoria, and has completed international training on sexual and reproductive health and rights. She is affiliated with the WHO STAGE Midwifery Working Group, the Global Academy for SRHR, and other global initiatives.
Carla Bruço is a certified nurse-midwife, doula, and perinatal educator dedicated to promoting conscious and humanized maternity care. She is the founder of the Gestational Center "Harmony for Life", the Human Milk Bank, and CIAMA – Center for the Promotion of Breastfeeding, all initiatives focused on integrative maternal and infant health. Her work includes roles as a lactation consultant, integrative therapist, and instructor in body-centered and therapeutic practices such as prenatal yoga, baby yoga, Shantala infant massage, and sacred circle dance. Carla’s holistic approach combines ancestral wisdom, Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) practices, and contemporary prenatal psychology to support expectant mothers and families with care, awareness, and emotional presence. She is currently based in São Sebastião, São Paulo, where she also leads educational circles, workshops, and professional trainings in perinatal care.
Dr Matt Price is the Director of Grants and Research of The 1001 Critical Days Foundation Matt is an accomplished clinical psychologist, with extensive cross-sector experience of working to improve support for babies and their families. As a firm believer in the power of early intervention to make the biggest difference, he is deeply passionate about supporting babies and their families.
Victoria Rose, certified prenatal and perinatal educator (PPNE) registered massage therapist, (RMT), holistic fertility, pregnancy and birth practitioner, and ceremonialist, is the visionary founder of Luminous Birth, a global movement and international education platform in service to restoring family culture and reverence for the sacred continuum from preconception to postpartum and beyond. With a decade of experience supporting women and couples through conception, pregnancy, and birth, Victoria’s work authentically weaves frontier pre- and perinatal sciences and ancient original wisdom. Her pioneering programs — Luminescence Fertility & Preconception Program and Transform Into Birth — invite parents to become fully informed through sovereign birth education, heal their own birth and conception imprints, honor the conscious baby, and strengthen their relationship as the foundation for a thriving family life. Alongside Wisdom Keeper and Elder, Barbara Essman, co-founder and director of the Sacred Birthing School, Victoria also guides an annual 9-Month Birthkeeper Mentorship, equipping women worldwide with the skills to support mothers, babies, and families through the sacred passages of conception, pregnancy, birth and beyond.