Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Stacey (she/her) spent 15 years in Boston and a few years abroad. After having her son, she moved to Chicago in the polar vortex of 2014 to be closer to extended family.

Stacey initially went to school to be an OBGYN. She has always loved birth and the focus on maternal care. After a few years of studying in Boston, she realized she didn’t want to go the medical school route and veered off course to study sociology, women’s studies, and international education. 

Upon graduating, her career focused on international education, whereby she worked for various study-abroad organizations and universities and traveled extensively. While she loved her career, she began to feel a pull toward birth work and, in 2008, trained and certified as a Birth Doula, Childbirth Education, and Yoga instructor. Her career came full circle when she realized her love for birth work was something to pursue in a larger capacity. 

Before this role, Stacey had worked freelance as a communications consultant, doula, and childbirth educator to infuse her love of birth advocacy with education and maternal care. 

Coming to work at the Birth Center of Chicago seemed like a great opportunity to be part of something that empowers pregnant people and couples to navigate a profound life experience. Stacey believes in the power of community-centered care and is thrilled she can help.

Stacey is most excited to be part of a team of birth workers who honor the birth process and help close the gap in disparate maternal-fetal outcomes. Supporting evidence-based care and providing opportunities for birth empowerment through focused educational opportunities and community engagement. She’s here for all of it. 

In her free time, Stacey will paint, read, be in nature with my family, and explore Chicago. She also loves seeing live music and watching documentaries with her kids. She loves traveling with her kids and experiencing new cultures through their eyes. 

Stacey’s passion projects are volunteering with local organizations that focus on equity and inclusion. This year she became a mentor with Chicago Scholars for first-generation high school students and is proud to co-facilitate a No Place to Hate program at her local Chicago public school. 

We are thrilled to have Stacey with us and hope you have a chance to have a class with her soon!