TBBN Board Members and Beloved Volunteers
Regina Hord
Being a part of the Tampa Bay Birth Network since I started FIT4MOM Tampa Bay in 2012, I have loved meeting women who empower local moms throughout the years!
Why do I love being a part of TBBN?
Constantly being surrounded by people who share a passion for pregnancy and childbirth has been invaluable on my journey as a mother, woman, and business owner. If you're looking to learn about anything surrounding pregnancy, birth, and motherhood Tampa Bay Birth Network should be your go-to!
Read Regina’s recent contribution to our blog:
Heather Whitten
Heather Whitten is a documentary photographer, full-spectrum doula, and the Vice President of the Tampa Bay Birth Network. Documenting and supporting growing families through the commonplace and extraordinary moments of everyday life is something she's felt called to do for over a decade now. Heather uses her connection with her clients and the photos that she makes of them to equalize the space between expectations and reality, showing what life is really like through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum and that we are all less alone than we ever thought in our experiences. She recently moved out of the bay area and now lives in Maryland with her husband and four children. Learn more about Heather and her doula and photography services.
Why do I love being a part of TBBN?
I have been a part of TBBN since I moved to the Tampa Bay area in 2016. I've loved every second of it! Being a military spouse that has relocated a number of times, the birth worker community here in Tampa Bay is unlike anywhere I've lived before. They have taken the community out of the digital-only space and given us a chance to connect in a different way! The in-person networking meetings put on by the Network really gave me a chance to get a foothold in the community that I'm so thankful for. And being able to expand my knowledge as a doula through the workshops they provided was pivotal as well. I've made amazing connections through the events these last handful of years that have expanded me and elevated me as a doula and community member.
Read Heather’s recent contribution to our blog: The Importance of Documenting Birth Stories
Kendra Holman
Registered Dietitian, Certified Lactation Counselor, and postpartum doula at Illuminate Postpartum. Kendra Holman has been a clinical registered dietitian for 10 years. Since becoming a mother 6 years ago, she now has 2 energetic kids.
Motherhood has increased her passion for working with other parents and families as a lactation counselor while also assisting birth givers with their pre and postnatal diets. Kendra has a professional dedication to supporting a nursing person and a devotion to overall postpartum health. She is the Vice President of TBBN.
Why do I love being a part of TBBN?
This is such a great network be to part of because of all that it has to offer! The network is not only for birth professionals like myself where I can find people to connect and network with but it’s also for the community. It provides great resources for gestational people and their partners and families to learn from and be able to reach out to folks who can help them in their pregnancies and postpartum life. It’s an inclusive group of people who are open to natural and holistic methods while including medicalized, scientific-based information, so there is something for most people. In this network, you will find the support you are looking for either as a community member or birth professional.
Read Kendra’s recent post: How to Find a Doula Program That’s the Right Fit For You
Angelina “Angie” Mitschke
Angie is the owner and photographer at Big Pixel Creations, a studio focusing on maternity and motherhood portraits. Her photography journey began more than a decade ago while in law school. Angelina has trained and learned from the best in the industry to ensure she can provide an unforgettable experience, captivating pictures, and exquisite heirlooms.
It is her firm belief that comfort and connection are two key requirements to create rave-worthy portraits, which is why she is committed to providing exceptional customer service and tailoring every session to the client’s vision.
Why do I love being a part of TBBN?
TBBN is more than a “network”, it is a community. A community that welcomes everyone with open arms, and warm and kind words, and provides support in every way possible. I’m so glad I found this group of amazing birth pros and hope that I can help contribute to the growth and success of TBBN but also support the community through education and connections.
Cynthya Dzialo
After working as an on-call doula for over 10 years, Cynthya Dzialo moved from Atlanta to St. Pete to visit the gulf beaches more often. Life’s too short not to soak up the sun! She’s a Professional Member at Evidence Based Birth, where she receives frequent continuing education on the best practices in the field. Cynthya loves to pass this information on to her doula clients and students.
As a professional birth doula and childbirth educator for over 15 years, she recognizes the special honor bestowed upon her to guide clients through one of the most rewarding experiences of their lifetime - and when invited to do so - to document their baby’s birthday with photography and video. Learn more about her birth services at The Happiest Doulas. Cynthya is our volunteer Board President, and website/blog editor.
Why do I love being a part of TBBN?
1.5 short years before the pandemic began, I was new to the Tampa Bay region and looking for a network of like-minded professionals wishing to connect and support each other’s businesses. I found new friends and colleagues via TBBN! They’ve helped me through the challenges of being new to the area AND the struggle to provide adequate support in the hospital during the pandemic. I’m forever grateful for the members of our birth network and for their encouraging support and local knowledge. My membership has paid me dividends in the return of kindness received from our board members and networking opportunities to flourish in my new home state!
Read Cynthya’s recent contribution to the TBBN blog: Packing Advice For Your Hospital Stay