Jeanette Mesite Frem MHS, CCE, BC, CD(ALACE) Executive Momma & Owner
Certified Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula, Breastfeeding Counselor
Childbirth Educator Trainer & Board Member, Boston Association for Childbirth Education (bace-nmc.org) Mother of Two
Jeanette began her work in maternal and child health in 1992 while living in a village in West Africa. After coming home a couple years later she went on to graduate studies and professional positions related to childbearing. She eventually focused her work after her first child was born, as she found her calling in supporting and informing women and their partners so they can empower themselves to make informed decisions for a healthy and happy pregnancy, birth, and early parenting experience. She has been teaching childbirth classes in local hospitals, privately and at Mothers & Company for seven years and has extended her love for working with birthing families by training and mentoring new childbirth educators with the Boston Association for Childbirth Education. She is also very involved in organizing maternal and child health conferences for professionals across the state. She likes hanging out at Lalajava Coffeehouse with her daughters, having dinner with her hubby and friends at the Cheesecake Factory, listening to a certain band's music in her car at a very loud level and long walks on the beach (while wearing a sweater and jeans!).
Jeanette was honored in the 2009 class of 40 Under 40
For ten years, the Worcester Business Journal has published its annual list of the region's up-and-coming executives. They sought out nominations from across Central Massachusetts looking for those individuals who, though early in their professional careers, have nonetheless shown every sign that they have what it takes to be leaders within their fields. Read Jeanette's profile here.
Chere Jalali MA, CCE Co-Founder Certified Childbirth Educator, Breastfeeding Counselor, AHA CPR Instructor
President, Boston Association for Childbirth Education (BACE)
Mother of Two
Chere‘s professional background is in business development and project management in technology and publishing. She had her “ah-ha†moment during one of the many prenatal classes she took when expecting her first child in New York City. This is when she realized that pregnant women deserve attention, information, and quality services. Since then she has been inspired to become more involved in the birth community. She has experience teaching childbirth classes locally, as well as a passion for assisting in the training and mentoring of new childbirth educators.
Joyce Kimball MBA, CD(DONA), CPM Co-Founder Midwife, Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Breastfeeding Counselor, Certified Childbirth Educator Belly Caster, Blessingway Event Planner, Birth Counselor, Reiki II Practitioner, Chakra Balancer, Mother of Two
Joyce has experience as a human resource director but was called to birth work in 1998 and working with childbearing families is her passion. In 2002 she opened her own homebirth midwifery practice and considers it an honor to support and care for the women she works with in all capacities and environments.
Debbie Page RN, IBCLC Co-Founder Registered Nurse, Lactation Consultant, Founder & Owner, Visiting Lactation Consultants, Mother of Five
Debbie is the founder of Visiting Lactation Consultants. Her mission is to educate and empower women to nurture their children with human milk. Along with an enthusiastic passion for mothers and babies, Debbie brings a high level of expertise, tenderness, and sense of humor to her practice. She has worked with mothers and babies for over 30 years in a variety of clinical settings as well as providing home care.
Alexis Topham CCE, CD(DONA) Co-Founder Certified Childbirth Educator and Birth Doula, Apprentice Midwife
Childbirth Educator Trainer, BACE
Mother of Two
Alexis has been attending births as a doula since 1999 and teaching childbirth classes since 2002. She has a passion for mothers, birth, and babies and enjoys supporting families birthing in all settings. As a mother of a child with autism, and as a professional working with special needs children, she addresses a need for on-going social and community support and brings this expertise to Central Ma parents in her support groups at Mothers & Company. She is also involved in training childbirth educators as mentor and trainer for BACE. Alexis is also an apprentice midwife.
Kimberly Packard PT, CD(DONA), ICCE Co-Founder Physical Therapist, Certified Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula, Reiki II Practitioner, Belly Caster Mother of Three
Kimberly specializes in teaching about birthing multiples. She is also the president of Meghan’s Hope, a non-profit organization dedicated to furniture and child safety, founded in her daughter’s memory. She has long had a passion for teaching, writing, working with childbearing families, and especially for her children who are her greatest inspiration and teachers. She combines her educational background and experience, life experiences, sense of humor, and spirituality into creating a safe, loving, and nurturing environment striving to empower those she works with to embrace and utilize their inner gifts with confidence.
