Meet the Team

Laura Dos Santos

Laura enjoys helping people and has always had a big heart for pregnant women and babies. During her time in University, she decided that she wanted to specialise in non-medical support of that population. Not yet knowing that doula work was a possible profession, she began working with Seniors in the Community Support Services sector where she learned skills to work alongside, support and care for people. This only strengthened her desire to work within the birthing profession. As she continued searching, a friend encouraged her to look into the doula profession. This “ah-ha” moment initiated the next steps of the direction her life needed to go.

She is formally trained as a Birth & Postpartum Doula with DONA International. Laura also has her certifications in Standard First Aid & CPR, Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health Leadership and a background with a Bachelors of Arts in Kinesiology. 

Fun facts about Laura include that she was born in Trinidad & Tobago and is left-handed. When Laura isn’t caring for her clients, she enjoys spending time with friends, family and her church community in any form; walking, eating, chatting, board gaming, baking, and going to events. She loves exploring new places and spaces– especially bakeries and cafes. How can one resist? Laura loves continuing to grow and her newest goal is learning American Sign Language (ASL).

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss

Mandy Sounder

It was Mandy’s personal experience with how drastically different parenting can be with & without support that led her into doula work. With her first baby she felt completely unprepared, and with each additional baby she felt the shift in her self confidence. This path of learning can really push new parents to their limits and beyond, and Mandy wanted to accompany others on this journey while they find their reigns. So much more than just surviving new parentings, but really enjoying this phase of life.

Mandy’s formally trained with CAPPA Canada as a Postpartum Doula, and is certified with Standard First Aid & CPR. She is fluent in German, and while living in Germany she facilitated new parenting groups & cared for infants in orphanages. Mandy has previous experience in intercultural competencies, as well as mentoring, coaching and theological studies

Mandy loves going on walks with her husband & 4 children. She values time for herself every day to read, and looks for the miracles in life, even when things aren’t going well. She hopes to travel to every continent with her family, and visit close relatives spread across the globe. 

“I’m happy when it rains, because if I’m not happy, it still rains.”  – Karl Valentin

Carla Murphy

A few years out of university Carla went to work in the Public Relations department at Women’s College Hospital. It was there that she began learning about evidence-based care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. She also received personal experience in the 3 positive births of her sons, and subsequent postpartum care from her midwives & support people. These personal & professional experiences led her deep interest to doula work, and reading as much as she could about supports during this very vulnerable life phase. Carla believes implicitly in the right to informed, supportive, respectful, and empowering care; in a birthing person’s right to make the choices that feel best to them for their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and in caring for their little one(s). When her boys were all in school, Carla made the decision to change careers and train as a doula.

She has received formal training from DONA International, CAPPA Canada & Hypnobirthing as a Birth & Postpartum Doula. Carla also has her certification in Standard First Aid & CPR, and has plans in the near future to certify as a Car Seat Technician. Before doula care was on her radar, she received her Masters of Information (library sciences), focusing on health education for her patients and their families.

Carla loves to travel, to read historical fiction, to bake, and crochet. She’s originally from Newfoundland and her accent comes back any time she’s ‘home’ or around other Newfoundlanders. She’s happiest when she’s by the ocean, especially the North Atlantic. Carla has three ‘grown up’ sons who are 25, 22, and 20. 

“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” –Forrest Gump

Shondelle Kirton

From a young age Shondelle was always fond of helping out her family and friends when they became new mothers. As she got older, Shondelle became more in tune with her skills supporting others. After supporting a close friend through birth and postpartum, her most vulnerable time, she decided to pursue a career as a Postpartum Doula.

Shondelle has received her formal training from Doula Canada as a Postpartum Doula. She is also certified in Standard First Aid & CPR, and is looking forward to obtaining her Birth Doula Certification next on her list.

Some of Shondelle’s favourite pastimes are volleyball, hairdressing, photography, out of town day trips and spending time with her nephew.

“Never give up, keep trying until you succeed.”

Shelby Bryan

During her first pregnancy, Shelby followed a fairly conventional path to prepare for childbirth & postpartum with the expectations to receive guidance and reassurance from her Health Care Provider. However, at each appointment, she found herself leaving unsatisfied, yearning for more support and answers to her numerous first-time pregnancy inquiries. The postpartum period proved especially challenging for Shelby, and once again, she felt adrift with questions and emotions. Struggling to find the support she needed, she stumbled upon a doula training 6 months into her maternity leave. Though initially misunderstanding the role of a doula, she soon realised that their support went beyond childbirth, addressing the emotional and informational needs of expectant and new parents. Recognizing the gap in the support Shelby had craved, she decided to become a doula herself, eager to offer the kind of guidance and understanding she wished she had received during her own pregnancy and postpartum journey.

Shelby is formally trained as a Postpartum doula with the organisation Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings (BADT). She also maintains her certification in Standard First Aid & CPR. Shelby is passionate about continuously improving her knowledge base and cultivating emotional support skills through attending workshops and seeking mentorship within her colleagues.

Some fun facts about Shelby include that she is originally from Montreal and she considers herself a novice herbalist. In her spare time you can find her relaxing with a yoga class, baking something delicious and enjoying thrift shopping for that perfect find!

“Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” – Madam C.J Walker

Jade Rajkumar

Bio coming soon!