Meet our Team

BirthNet Leadership Council: 2025

Tershia Ellis

Board Chair

Meet Tershia

Born and raised in Columbia County, NY, I developed a deep passion for children and community early on. My educational and life experiences led me to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education, where I earned an Associate Degree from HVCC and a Bachelor’s in Sociology from SUNY Albany. These experiences gave me a solid foundation to focus on the well-being of families and children in every aspect of my work.

My training with Mama Glow has been transformative, allowing me to continue supporting the arrival of new lives into the world and providing care and safety to birthing people as a Birth/Family Educator and Doula. I am dedicated to ensuring that every family receives the education, support, and love they deserve throughout the birthing process.

Currently residing in Troy, NY, I’m a proud mother of three. When I’m not advocating for birth equity and working with BirthNet, I love spending time with my family and partner—whether it’s traveling to new places, exploring local events, enjoying live music, or just diving into a good book. I’m also passionate about social activism and remain deeply committed to making a difference in my community.

Life is all about balance for me—juggling work, family, and self-care, while always striving to uplift those around me. I’m thrilled to be part of the BirthNet team and excited to continue creating meaningful change.

Gadria Kalinowski

Board Secretary

Meet Gadria

Gadria has been a resident of the Capital Region of NY since birth. She has an extensive background in dance (trained in Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Tap and Jazz) and movement. In 2021, she received two B.S. degrees in Dance (Performance & Choreography) and Social Work from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. While juggling graduate school, Gadria received her 200-hour yoga teacher training in May of 2023 through Styles Yoga at The Hot Yoga Spot and completed birth doula training with Mama Glow in February of 2024. Through much dedication and ambition, Gadria earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from Smith College School for Social Work in Northampton, MA in August of 2024.

Identifying as a cis-gender female and Black transracial adoptee, Gadria has always been fascinated by familial compositions and dynamics. By discovering her niche and love for birth work activism, she strives to help birthing folks feel empowered and is highly motivated to challenge the Maternal Health and Mortality Crisis within the United States.

Gérardine Georges

Board Member

Meet Gérardine

With a deep passion for the humanitarian and development fields, Gérardine's experiences have consistently centered around service. She is dedicated to advancing the health and wellness of people of color and reducing inequities in healthcare and child abuse prevention. Gérardine serves as a co-chair of Albany Medical Center’s Birth Place Advisory Board and is a board member of BIRTHNET, a birth equity and justice organization. Currently, she is pursuing a master’s degree in public health. In her personal time, Gérardine enjoys exploring the capital region with her fiancé, baby boy, and their puppy Penny.

Betsy Mercogliano

Board Member

Meet Betsy

Betsy Mercogliano is a wife, a midwife, a grandmother, a childbirth educator, an activist, a doula and founder of the Family Life Center in Albany, NY.

She has lived in the South End of Albany for 48 years and believes that community activism and caring are the core ingredients for changes needed to improve our world. She is one of the founders of BirthNet, serving as the Co-treasurer on the Board.

Tisha Graham

Board Member

Meet Tisha

Tisha Graham is one of the cofounders of BirthNet and is proud to serve on its Board. She has earned and maintains four credentials related to her birth work: Certified Professional Midwife, Certified Doula, Certified Childbirth Educator and Certified Lactation Counselor.

She is an advocate for pregnant people and a passionate activist for equity through civil, racial, disability and birthing rights. She has conceived, carried, birthed, breastfed and raised five children.

Nakia Tillman

Board Member

Meet Nakia

Clyanna Lightbourn

Board Member

Meet Clyanna

Clyanna Lightbourn (she/her) is a certified birth and postpartum doula based in Albany, NY, and the founder of Lightbourn Doula Care. A daughter of Caribbean immigrants and a founding member of the BIPOC Doula Collective, Clyanna brings a deeply affirming, justice-centered approach to every birth she supports. She specializes in caring for Black birthing people, LGBTQ+ clients, and non-traditional families—offering trauma-informed support that honors cultural identity, bodily autonomy, and emotional safety. With a Master’s in Forensic Mental Health and more than a decade of experience in organizing, advocacy, and facilitation, her doula work is infused with political clarity and tenderness.

“Doula work feels like the next chapter in my activism. I’ve spent years marching, organizing, and pushing for change. Now, I’m channeling that same energy into holding space, affirming people’s choices, and witnessing their strength in life-altering moments.”

Clyanna is bilingual (Spanish/English), passionate about community care, and never far from a good book or her very opinionated cat, Meeko. She’s honored to serve on BirthNet’s board and to continue building a world where all birthing people feel seen, safe, and supported.

Raneela Khan

Board Member

Meet Raneela

I am excited to join the Birthnet board as the event planner because event coordination is one of my passions. I find joy in the process of organizing and supporting events that bring people together, creating meaningful experiences. Whether it’s the logistics, the details, or the overall flow, I thrive on making sure everything runs smoothly and efficiently. This passion is purposeful for me, and I’m dedicated to creating events that not only meet the needs of our community of doulas, but also ensure that every participant feels nurtured, valued, and well-cared for.

Honoring Esther Patterson Teen Doula Equity Fund

We also want to take a moment to honor the legacy of Esther Patterson, whose commitment to doula work and birth equity continues to inspire us. In her memory, we established the Esther Patterson Teen Doula Equity Fund, which supports local doulas, particularly those working with teen pregnancies.

To contribute to the fund and continue Esther’s impactful work, please consider donating.

DONATE NOW