Ariel Swift (she/her) is a Chicago transplant, moving the South Side in a snowstorm in 2014. Originally from North Dakota, raised in Washington state, and first introduced to Illinois by way of Bloomington/Normal.

Ariel has been a doula since 2011. Her work as a certified labor and postpartum doula through DONA Int., Birth Arts International, and ProDoula helped her see very different perspectives on how a doula can be useful for a family navigating pregnancy, labor, and postpartum healing. Ariel is currently the Director of Outreach and Education with the Parent Company of BCC, Birth Partner, INC, and works out of the Birth Center of Chicago.

Ariel is involved in the development of new outreach programs for all of Birth Partners birth centers, which are currently in Illinois, Ohio, Florida, Oregon, and soon to open in North Carolina. When she is not working directly with local coordinators, she works to expand awareness of birth centers and how they are an underutilized method to reduce maternal mortality and poor birth outcomes. Current projects are working to expand Medicaid reimbursements for birth centers and all midwives and expanding private insurance coverage for midwives and birth centers.

Ariel has two children. Being a child who experienced the benefits of a play-filled homeschooling childhood in Eastern Washington State, Ariel believes parenting is unique in its access and impact to change the world. Ariel has strong opinions about respecting children through their growth. Ariel also knows she is a much better parent when she has the support of other adults who love her kids.

When not working, Ariel likes to develop creative solutions to problems around her home. She is comfortable with tools, big personalities, small people, and folks who appreciate candor.