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.

Betsy Mercogliano

Board Founder

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 Founder

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 Founder

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.

Meredith Holmquist

Board Member

Meet Meredith

My path began in service and study, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Siena College in 2002, followed by a Master’s in Public Administration and Policy from SUNY Albany in 2005. From 2002–2025, I served within New York State and the Town of Bethlehem, guided by a desire to contribute to systems that uplift others. In the midst o

In 2009 while pregnant with my first child I became a Birth Doula. After the training, the births of my children and my breastfeeding journey, I knew I had found my purpose with passion. I no longer attend births but I am a Postpartum Doula and a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and Reiki Master.

I pursued my passions and I became a Registered Yoga Teacher (200 Hour Training) in 2010 and an advanced Registered Yoga Teacher (300 Hour Training) in 2013. I am and have been deeply called to teach Prenatal and Restorative Yoga. In 2026 I became a Reiki Master and practice in Delmar and Albany.

All of my trainings and experience look different on the surface, but at their heart they are deeply connected. They all support major life transitions; are compassion based; and they all honor the body's wisdom and intuition.

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.

Katherine Poladian

Board Member

Meet Katherine

Katherine is a registered nurse on the Labor and Delivery unit at Albany Medical Center, with a lifelong passion for reproductive justice and birth work. She holds a BS and MS.Ed in education, a BSN from Russell Sage College, and completed birth doula training in 2025.

Katherine is passionate about applying her previous training as an educator to women's health, birth justice, and community education. She is currently engaged in women’s health research in the local community, volunteers with Albany Planned Parenthood, and plans to pursue certification as a nurse midwife. She is honored to join BirthNet’s Board and excited to support their mission through education, advocacy, and community-based care.

Tabitha Cropper

Board Member

Meet Tabitha

Michelle Provost

Board Member

Meet Michelle

Michelle Provost has been studying the science of health and wellness for over thirty years and has a master's in public health, but her best teachers are her children.

While raising her 4 children, she became an accredited La Leche League Leader and a Professionally Trained Birth Doula. She is currently teaching the next generation of healthcare professionals, and she works to end patterns of abuse and trauma by sharing her own birth stories and her journey of healing through mothering in her Magdalena's Journey book series.

Michelle is honored to be a member of BirthNet, helping increase access to equitable, compassionate care for birthing families.

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

BIRTHNET

Meet our Team

BirthNet Leadership Council: 2025

Tershia Ellis

Board Chair

Gadria Kalinowski

Board Secretary

Betsy Mercogliano

Board Founder

Tisha Graham

Board Founder

Nakia Tillman

Board Founder

Clyanna Lightbourn

Board Member

Meredith Holmquist

Board Member

Raneela Khan

Board Member

Katherine Poladian

Board Member

Tabitha Cropper

Board Member

Michelle Provost

Board Member

Honoring Esther Patterson Teen Doula Equity Fund