Adrianna is a RN currently not using her degree because she recently had Syrius and is wanting to change her career and work more with women who need support and guidance while raising their children dealing with incarceration and homelessness. Adrianna is a first time mom who is still trying to meet her goals in life for her family.

Allison is a social work doctoral student at NYU. Her research focuses on the intersection of gender and incarceration and seeks to find ways to bring anti-oppressive work to carceral spaces. Allison has been working as an advocate within the criminal legal system for the past five years, and as a social worker in New York City for the past 13 years. Her current work focuses on decarceration efforts with women detained on Rikers Island.

Alyssa is a Special Projects Coordinator at the DHS Office of the Medical Director. In her current role, she works to support projects that aim to improve the overall health of DHS clients. Alyssa works closely with NYC DOHMH to respond to cases of infectious disease in the shelter system, and also conducts outreach for DHS clients who have complex medical and behavioral health needs. She is currently in the process of applying to Physician Associate graduate programs.

Dr. Johnson is passionate about building innovative models of primary care for vulnerable populations. Dr. Johnson is a primary care doctor at the Gotham Sydenham Health Center and the Assistant Vice President, for Care Models at NYC H+H 's Office of Ambulatory Care & Population Health. Dr. Johnson brings her experience with safety net healthcare, PORT, & SHOW- all models of care that partner with PEH & people impacted by the criminal-legal system.

Alex is a Postpartum Doula (DONA) and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) working in private practice and in service to the pregnant and postpartum people experiencing incarceration at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. She was inspired to begin her work in maternal health and reproductive justice shortly after the birth of her first child in 2014. She holds a MA in Applied Women’s Studies from Claremont Graduate University. Her work is value and judgement-free, evidenced-based, anti-racist, and for all families. She lives in Bedford, NY with her two children.

Aqirah is the Deputy Director for the Alliance of Families for Justice. As a directly impacted person on multiple levels, Aqirah understands the trauma and challenges of incarceration on women, families, and children and wholeheartedly supports the use of collective action as a driving force for change, healing, and empowerment. Aqirah is certified in multiple healing modalities including Yoga, Reiki, sound therapy, movement therapy, mindful resilience for trauma, meditation, and massage therapy and also holds a BA form Columbia University and a Master in Education from Relay Graduate School of Education. Aqirah was in the final steps of becoming DONA certified as a doula when she was arrested. Aqirah was incarcerated for her entire pregnancy and gave birth to her son in Bedford Hills and then was with her son in the nursery. Aqirah has been a passionate visionary and looks forward to continuing to create opportunities to unite and empower directly-impacted people, families and friends, as well as allies and volunteers.

Caroline is a Senior Program Manager in the Office of Ambulatory Care and Population Health at NYC Health + Hospitals. Caroline brings pediatric primary care knowledge, data expertise, and ambulatory care/population health staff connections. Prior to joining H+H, Caroline completed her MPH with a certificate in Health Promotion Research and Practice, including coursework on averting maternal mortality through systems thinking. Caroline also comes with prior experience conducting program evaluation for Good Shepherd Services’ youth supportive housing programs and domestic violence services (Safe Homes shelter + non-residential programs)

Christina has over 15 years of experience working with women, families and children impacted by the criminal legal and child welfare systems. She served as Associate Director for Policy Affairs and Research at the Women & Justice Project (WJP), co-developed the Birth Support Working Group, was a longtime member of the Coalition for Women Prisoners and co-chaired its Incarcerated Mothers Committee for five years. She is a founding board member of City Living NY, a nonprofit organization that supports young people aging out of foster care. Christina is a licensed social worker with a master’s degree from Columbia University snd has has taught in the graduate social work programs at Columbia University and Stony Brook University. Christina holds a perinatal mental health certification from Postpartum Support International and is passionate about healing-centered engagement and its integration into all areas of work.

Delbie has dedicated over a decade of her life to provide pathways towards safety and independence for black and brown communities who have been impacted by the criminal legal system. In her current role as the Director of the Survivor’s Advocacy Program and Interim Director for JusticeHome- Alternative to Incarceration Program at the Women’s Prison Association, she works to support staff who provide trauma informed care, supportive services and resources to women at the Rose M. Singer Center at Rikers and in the community. Delbie also visits the Rose M. Singer Center at Rikers Island on a weekly basis to provide support to women and provide them with resources. Delbie attends court dates to provide advocacy for women so they can stay in their communities with their loved ones. Delbie’s goal is to enhance women’s stability and overall well-being by addressing specific needs that may have contributed to criminal system involvement; as well as assist them to live safe and productive lives.

Diana is the Administrative Nutritionist at the DHS Office of the Medical Director. In her current role, she works to support the meal service programs at all the DHS programs. Diana works closely with NYC DOHMH and Mayor’s office of food policy to develop policies to ensure programs serve safe and nutritious meals. She also works closely with DHS program and shelter staff providing technical assistance to programs providing meals.

Guirleneis a Nurse Educator at Elmhurst Hospital. Guirlene has an extensive background, with 16+ year, providing bedside practice of nursing, serving as an educator, and as a manager. Her credentials MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM of licenses and certificates include Neonatal Association NRP Instructor, Electronic Fetal Monitoring, In-patient Clinical Obstetrical Nurse Certification, American Heart Association /Instructor in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/AED (CPR) and Advanced-Cardiac Life Support, and is a Simulation Fellow Graduate from Jacobi.

Haddijatou is the Senior Program Manager at the Queens Community Justice Center. In her current role, she oversees early diversion and criminal court programming at the Justice Center. Before joining the Justice Center, she was the Youth Justice Coordinator at the Midtown Community Court, overseeing youth justice programming, providing in-depth clinical assessments, and offering group counseling and individual counseling with court-involved youth. Prior to joining the Center for Justice Innovation, Haddijatou worked at buildOn, an international nonprofit organization that runs youth service after-school programs. In her role as Program Manager, she oversaw youth services at Banana Kelly High School. She managed on-site staff, implemented curriculum development, oversaw federal grant funding, and created meaningful, youth-oriented community service opportunities. Haddijatou received her B.A. in Political Science and her Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker in New York State. A mother of two, Bronx native and first-generation Gambian-American, she is passionate about using her skills and voice to make a difference for underserved communities of color.

Juan is a Policy and Advocacy Associate at the Citizen's Committee for Children of New York. Juan manages CCC’s policy and advocacy work relating to housing and economic security. Prior to working at CCC, Juan was a Supervisor at Riseboro Brownsville Homebase, where he advocated to improving housing and economic stability for families to prevent shelter entry. Juan is also a Guaranteed Income Research Fellow at The University of Pennsylvania where he collects qualitative and quantitative data for The Bridge Project. Juan holds a B.A. in Sociology and a Master’s in Urban Policy and Leadership, both from Hunter College. He is currently a PhD student in Social Welfare at the CUNY Graduate Center. His research interests include examining housing, economic and immigration policies at all government levels; the experiences of first-generation youth; and the evaluation of policies that foster social capital and upward mobility.

Judy is the Community Justice Advocate for Hour Children, which provides support, transportation, communication services and parent education for incarcerated women and their families at Bedford Hills and Taconic Correctional Facilities and Rikers Island. Outside, Hour Children provides housing, counseling and reentry services for women and gender non-conforming people and their children transitioning out of incarceration. During her 38 years in prison, Judy worked with her sisters inside to create community-based programs to address the challenges they faced and their desires to grow, to take responsibility for the harm they caused, and repair their relationships with their families and communities. She was a founder of ACE (AIDS Counseling and Education) and helped bring back college after public funding was eliminated. Working in the Bedford Hills Children’s Center, Judy helped develop programs for mothers to sustain bonds with their children and mentored new mothers living in the prison nursery. She is a senior advisor and strategic consultant for the Women & Justice Project (WJP), and on the advisory boards of the Survivor’s Justice Project (SJP) and the Osborne Association’s Center for Justice Across Generations.

Laura is currently pursuing her degree in Nursing and Global Public Health at NYU. Prior to transferring to NYU, she studied Global Public Health and Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Virginia, and has experience working in investment banking and private equity, within the healthcare teams. Laura is interested in the application of research to policies, especially those addressing mental health, substance use, health equity and economics, and social determinants. She is currently a research intern through the Interdisciplinary Collaborative Summer Research Training Program, and has previous research experience in polysubstance use among justice-involved persons.

Laura is part of the Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) team as the Community Engagement Manager at Region 1. She is fierce advocate for increasing Sexual Reproductive Health and Healthcare access among underserved communities. As a Mexican woman, and immigrant in the United States she understands the difficulties faced by the Latinx and other minority communities in navigating and accessing Health Care services. She has gained applied public health experience by working with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as a Birth Justice Defenders consultant and coordinating multiple public health research projects at a sister lab to NYUs Applied Global Public Health Initiative in Queretaro, Mexico. Before joining PPGNY, Laura was working on a research protocol that linked breast and gynecological food unsecured cancer patients to healthy food and other resources to support them in completing their treatment.

Leah is the Director of Community Liaisons at the Women's Community Justice Association. Leah is a formerly incarcerated advocate who is dedicated to creating change for women and gender expansive New Yorkers impacted by Mass Incarceration. Leah is a mother, daughter and sister who has dedicated over twenty years advocating for communities most impacted by the Criminal Legal system. Leah is a survivor of both domestic and State violence and uses her direct experiences as a way to educate, build community, network and organize within vulnerable Black and Brown communities. Leah is an instrumental leader of the Rikers Island initiative where during bi-weekly visits she provides support and resources to the women and gender expansive people detained at the Rose M. Singer Center, bringing them a sense of hope in what so often feels like a hopeless situation.

Dr. Goshin is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and nurse scientist. She works at SHERO, a supportive housing jail alternative for women and gender-expansive people. She has conducted research on the mother and child effects of the New York State prison nursery, nursing care of incarcerated pregnant people, parenting stress in women on probation and parole, and community alternatives to incarceration for women.

Maria has been an Adult Sexuality Educator at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York for the past four years, where she works to increase access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for the Latinx community. Among her many daily tasks, she provides education, medical interpretation English to Spanish at the PPGNYs Mobile Unit and connects individuals with various resources. She has been volunteering with multiple community organizations for several years, including Sanctuary for Families and Coalition of Survivor Leaders. Her involvement in this work has allowed her to provide important information to the community about domestic violence and healthy relationships. Recently, she was honored to become a member of their board. Additionally, Maria is a volunteer promoter at Mixteca, a Brooklyn-based community organization, where she helps facilitate presentations on topics like Public Charge and Know Your Rights. She also assists community members with filling out applications for Fair Fares, IDNYC, and appointments for the Mexican Consulate. Maria is passionate about advocating for marginalized communities, especially the Latinx and immigrant communities in New York. She is a worker-owner of United Community Consulting Cooperative in NYC led by Latina women who focus is on providing exceptional professional services to local organizations.

Melissa has worked on the Community Engagement team at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York for nearly four years. As the currently Adult Sexuality Educator who facilitates for the Sex Education for Adults program at PPGNY, Melissa has help supported numerous communities and populations across the boroughs of NYC gain access to quality sexual and reproductive healthcare services. With an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Stony Brook University, and as a recent graduate of Queens College with a Master of Arts in Urban Studies, Melissa has deep interest in advocating and supporting communities with navigating the health care system and tackling the barriers often faced by marginalized communities when accessing much needed resources.

Miyhosi is a criminal justice activist, policy advocacy expert, strategist, and independent consultant. Miyhosi has contributed to multiple policy campaigns addressing issues at the intersection of gender justice and the criminal legal system. She was a leader in the successful campaign to pass the 2015 New York Anti-Shackling law, one of the most progressive of its kind in the nation, which strengthened and expanded the state’s ban on the barbaric practice of shackling pregnant women who are incarcerated. Miyhosi has presented on women and mass incarceration in a wide variety of public forums and national and international conferences, and has been featured in such publications as Huffington Post, The Nation, and Al Jazeera America. From 2016-2021, Miyhosi was a senior staff person at WJP, most recently serving as WJP’s Associate Director of Advocacy & Strategy. In that role, Miyhosi spearheaded WJP’s public engagement work, helped lead strategic development and partnership work, served as a main spokesperson for WJP in the public and press, and played a primary role in developing the organization’s overall strategy and programmatic efforts. Prior to joining WJP, Miyhosi worked at the Osborne Association’s New York Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents, and at Hour Children, a reentry program that supports families uniting after incarceration. Miyhosi resides in Long Island City, Queens with her three children, and is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Communications. Miyhosi received the 2015 Susan B. Anthony Award from the National Organization for Women–NYC and the 2016 Hour Children Mother of the Year Award.

Naphtali is the Maternal Care Coordinator from the Maternal Home working in the Women’s Clinic at Queens Hospital Center. Naphtali is the point person at Queens Hospital for referrals to the NYC Partnership's HOPE Doula program. Naphtali completes assessments to determine patient's social determinants of health and helps identify and connect patients to appropriate and vital resources. Naphtali has a Master’s in Public Health and is currently pursing her Doctorate in Health Care Administration at Capella University.

Natalie Boychuk is a Data Analyst for the EnVironmental Influences on Birth Equity (VIBE) Lab in the Department of Epidemiology at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, where she works on several projects assessing social and structural determinants of maternal health equity. Natalie holds an MPH from Columbia University with a certificate in research methods and works directly with the Mount Sinai and NYC Health and Hospitals Teams to plan and execute the evaluation of the HoPE program. Natalie has expertise in data management and quality control, maternal health systems performance metrics, and advanced quantitative methods. She is passionate about improving pregnancy and childbirth for all.

Rachel is the Senior Director of Maternal Child Health at Public Health Solutions, the largest public health non-profit serving NYC. The PHS MCH team runs 7 home visiting programs for pregnant and parenting families, the NYC Breastfeeding Warmline, the Queens Diaper Bank, and community resource network development for families to easily access resources. Particularly in the borough of Queens, Rachel has worked with family residence shelters to bring supportive perinatal services to pregnant and postpartum families experiencing housing instability. She finds fulfillment in the intersection of her work across her three specialties of nursing, public health, and social work. Rachel has a love of parenting (3 rapidly growing kiddos), music, and homesteading/ gardening.

Dr. Nowlin is a Nurse Scientist and Adjunct Professor at the Center for Nursing Research and Innovation at Mount Sinai. Dr. Nowlin's work bridges science and clinical practice. As Chair of the Nursing Project Approval Council, Sarah guides nursing-led quality improvement projects occurring within the Mount Sinai Health System through the approval process. Sarah is also involved in maternal health research, focusing on racial and ethnic health disparities.

Sindy has been a nurse for almost 20 years, starting her nursing career in 2024. Sindy is currently the nurse manager for the postpartum unit AB8 at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, NY. Sindy brings a wealth of experience as nurse with expertise in postpatrum and NICU care. Sindy truly enjoys her role as a nurse and is very excited about all of the new initiatives starting at Elmhurst to better assist and support our patients and community!.

Skylee brings several years of experience working with and advocating for women who have experienced domestic violence. She is a previous victim herself. Skylee is a formerly incarcerated individual who experienced birth while being confined to Rikers Island & resided in the nursery at Rose M. Singer after giving birth. NY passed a law where women giving birth under the DOC are allowed to have a support person of their choice stay with them during labor, delivery, and recovery. Skylee was the first person to have a support person during birth.

Dr. Janevic is Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, where she leads the EnVironmental Influences on Birth Equity (VIBE) Lab, which targets the social and structural environment to promote maternal health equity. As a perinatal epidemiologist, Dr. Janevic’s focus is on health disparities and social determinants of population health. Her research examines why social exposures, such as neighborhood context, racial discrimination, migration, and stress, influence perinatal and reproductive health outcomes and the role of quality of health care in these relationships. Dr. Janevic studies the impact of programs and policies on perinatal outcomes and implementation science to reduce maternal and child health inequalities.