Kristen, executive director of Birth It Forward a Kansas City-based nonprofit, grew up the daughter of entrepreneurs. She graduated in 2015 with her bachelor’s degree in history from Oklahoma State University and subsequently began studying at Johns’ Hopkins in 2015; however, the birth of her first child caused her to change course entirely. In 2017 Kristen began studying Bradley Method during her second pregnancy, this increased her love of birth and led to her certification as a Maternal Support Practitioner through Bebo Mia in 2020. Soon after she joined Birth It Forward as a volunteer doula. Within the next two years, she worked her way up the organization, helping to develop new programs, and eventually assumed her current role as the Executive Director. One of her crowning achievements has been the development and successful launch of an advocacy training tailored to birth workers, Standing Strong. Additional education includes certifications as a Birth and Bereavement Doula through Sillbirthday, Trauma Informed Coach through the Healing Centre, and certification in Peer Support Group Leading from GPS. Most recently, Kristen has begun working towards becoming a Certified Professional Midwife in Missouri.

Janice Ingram, CD/PCD, CHW-C, CBE/CEC

Janice is a full spectrum doula, childbirth educator, and Community Health Worker with her Masters from Liberty University in Business & Leadership. Her passion for the families she serves has led her to work in women’s health and advocate for the families of Kansas City and surrounding areas.

Brittney Brownell, SBD, BBYCBP, 200HR

Brittney is an associate director with Birth it Forward, a Kansas City based non-profit organization that provides doula support to families. She has a BS in health education, certified as a birth and bereavement doula with Stillbirthday, a certified yoga instructor, certified birth photographer and professional maternity, birth, newborn and family photographer. She has trained with DONA, Spinning Babies, is a Peanut Ball Ambassador and a certified trauma-informed coach through The Healing Centre. Brittney has supported over 150 families through the beautiful journey of birth and becoming a parent. Her passion for education, both for herself and educating others, knows no bounds as she continues to learn and grow within the birth field. Brittney can be found on the Birth it Forward social media including Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Linked-in with educational content for families and doulas as well as free yoga classes for pregnant and postpartum mamas and doulas. She enjoys spending time with her husband and 4 children, eating pizza and devouring chips and salsa when not teaching, supporting families or documenting their life journeys through photography.

Guest Speakers

Moriah Barr, LMFTA

Moriah is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate specializing in anxiety, depression, and trauma. She has worked extensively with survivors of domestic violence and child sexual abuse, using trauma-informed practices to support healing.

Her presentation, “Secondary Trauma and Compassion Fatigue,” explores the impact of high-stress birthing situations and offers strategies for coping with burnout and trauma.

Moriah’s passion for the birthing world began with her sisters’ experiences and has grown into a commitment to supporting others in navigating challenging situations. She believes in the power of therapy to provide lasting relief, saying, “You either work hard healing for a short time or work hard coping forever.”

Jasmine Barr, RN

Jasmine is a compassionate NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) nurse with 5.5 years of experience. She earned her BSN from MidAmerica Nazarene University. Passionate about newborn care, Jasmine combines her expertise with a heartfelt commitment to supporting families through the challenges of having a baby in the NICU.

Originally from Stillwater, OK, Jasmine has lived in several states and now resides in Olathe, KS, with her husband, Brandon, and their adopted dog, Ellie. She is part of a large, close-knit family that includes her parents, three sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jasmine’s work is both rewarding and demanding, as she cares for the most vulnerable patients while helping families navigate life in the NICU. She celebrates milestones like a baby’s first bottle and provides comfort during difficult moments. Outside of work, she enjoys movies, personal growth, and staying updated on NICU advancements.

Dedicated and empathetic, Jasmine finds purpose in providing exceptional care and making a difference in the lives of her tiny patients and their families.

Nadia Ingram

Nadia Ingram is a passionate advocate and community leader who has made significant contributions to Kansas City. Featured on KSHB 41 as part of their “Recognizing Women Making a Difference in Kansas City” segment, Nadia is dedicated to empowering those around her. She is a graduate of Wayne State Law School, where she honed her legal expertise and commitment to social justice. Nadia’s work focuses on fostering positive change, advocating for underrepresented groups, and making a lasting impact in the Kansas City area. Her dedication to improving her community has earned her recognition as a leading force for good.

Rhian Dodd-Tovey (R-eun)

Rhian is a small business owner passionate about helping women become financially confident. With a mission to simplify bookkeeping, she empowers entrepreneurs to handle their finances with accuracy, prepare for tax time, claim deductions, and achieve profitability. Originally from Cardiff, Wales, Rhian moved to the U.S. 10 years ago and now lives with her husband, 8-year-old daughter, and golden retriever, Pupsicle.

Rhian challenges the idea that bookkeeping is boring or scary, emphasizing that growing your profits is empowering. Whether teaching clients or offering outsourced support, she makes financial management simple so business owners can focus on doing what they love.

Dr. Lauren Hughes, MD IBCLC

Dr. Lauren Hughes is a board-certified pediatrician and IBCLC dedicated to empowering families through the challenges of early parenthood. Combining medical expertise with specialized training in breastfeeding and tongue tie management, she provides evidence-based care to help parents navigate feeding issues and set realistic expectations.

A Kansas native, Dr. Hughes’ personal experiences as a mother inspired her to open a practice that offers personalized pediatric care, lactation consultations, and tongue tie revisions. Her mission is to create a supportive space where parents find reliable answers without the overwhelm of modern parenting advice.

When she’s not caring for patients, Dr. Hughes enjoys spending time with her husband, their three young children, and their rescue dog, Gus. She loves reading, outdoor walks, and exploring her passion for learning—especially about the incredible benefits of breastmilk.

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