News
March 18th, 2026
Care, Courage, and Community: Learning from the Doula Access Initiative
Our recent Partnership Engagement Visit with the Doula Access Initiative was a meaningful reminder of what it looks like to meet community where it is, with care, intention, and humility. During the visit, we learned more about their work supporting families and the important role doulas play in improving maternal health outcomes.
We had the chance to hear directly from Executive Director Alexas Ramirez, who is truly an army of one. It wasn’t about the work, but how it came across and how she shared it. She leads with compassion and humility, naming the gaps in Black and Brown representation in the doula space while actively doing something about it. There is a deep level of care in how she shows up—for the families she serves and for the organization she’s building. Our visitors on the call were so engaged, they left feeling personally invested and wanting to stay connected and in relationship with the organization. That kind of response speaks volumes.
And in the midst of all of this, she is also a new mom. That alone deserves its own moment of recognition. Balancing leadership, vision, and new motherhood is no small thing, and we want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to her. These visits are always amazing, but this one felt particularly special. It brought us back to the heart of why partnership matters—because the work is stronger when it is shared, when we listen deeply, and when we invest in solutions that are rooted in community experience.
We are grateful to the Doula Access Initiative for opening their work to us and for the care they bring to families across our region.