Board of Directors

Bess Forster Day, Board Chair, has been a childbirth educator and birth doula since 2001. She earned her B.A. in Advertising from Michigan State University in 1995 but found her true passion as a birth professional after the homebirth of first child in 1997. Along with three other doulas, she co-founded Doulas Supporting Teens in an effort to improve the birth and parenting experiences for young women and their families in the Eugene/Springfield area. Ms. Day has also served as Board Treasurer for Birth Companion Network, worked as a breastfeeding peer counselor for WIC, and is a member of Stand For Children. In addition to her volunteer activities, she works as a Data Manager for Oregon Social Learning Center, a non-profit organization conducting research to benefit children and families. Ms. Day lives in Eugene with her two children.

Missy Cheyney is a professor of Medical Anthropology and Reproductive Biology at Oregon State University, a Licensed Direct-entry Midwife and Vice President of the Board of Doulas Supporting Teens. Her research examines the models, practices and outcomes of homebirth midwives in the United States. She believes that midwives and doulas hold the keys to national health care reforms that can begin to reverse current trends toward increasing costs and declining outcomes that, along with unequal access to care, are fueling our nation's health care crisis. She has been teaching and attending births since 1999 and is committed to working for a healthier future for mothers and babies both in the United States and abroad. She brings her expertise in mixed methods research to Doulas Supporting Teens and will be working with our staff to help document our outcomes.

Mitch Hagstrom is a 28 year veteran in the financial services sector, specifically banking. He is currently Executive Vice-President and Director of Lane County Operations for Pacific Continental Corporation, a $940 million commercial bank with 15 offices in Oregon and Washington.

Mitch is a graduate of Southern Oregon University with Bachelor of Science Degrees in both Economics and Political Science. He is also a graduate of the Northwest Intermediate Banking School at the University of Portland and the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin.

Mitch joined the Board of Doulas Supporting Teens in September of 2007 because, as a veteran of many years of local non-profit Board experience, he is passionate about serving youth and feels his experience may be of some value to this growing organization. Mitch is the father of three adopted daughters, the eldest of whom was initially his foster child. Mitch is currently the Treasurer of DST, and recently completed a three year term as Treasurer of The Relief Nursery.

Michelle Smith is the Program Services Director at Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corporation. Her roles include program management, grant writing, budgeting, and compliance and reporting. She has a BS in Planning, Public Policy and Management from the University of Oregon and a twelve-year background in office administration. She is on the Housing and Community Services Agency of Lane County's (HACSA) Family Self Sufficiency Advisory Board, Neighborhood and Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) Advisory Board, and is the Secretary for the Doulas Supporting Teens Board of Directors.

I am on the DST board to help further a vision that sees every pregnant teen receiveing the education, emotional and physical support she needs during her journey into motherhood, and aiding that vision to extend itself out past our community into others.

I own Equinox Real Estate with my husband Ron. I have three beautiful children: Will-17, Nuvia-14, & Makena-10. Among my many accomplishments, my family is my greatest. My passions are watching my children grow, scuba diving, dancing, and helping mamas have healthy babies.

Education:
University of Oregon, Eugene OR; Oregon School of Massage, Portland, OR; Oregon School of Real Estate, Eugene OR

LeighAnne Curtis is currently the Resident Services Coordinator for Metropolitan Affordable Housing. She majored in Sociology and minored in Nonprofit Administration at the University of Oregon. Having experienced the difficulties of teen-age motherhood herself, she believes strongly in the mission of DST.

Kayla Hixson was a DST client in 2005. The experience of having a doula was so moving that she desided to become a doula herself. Since completing her doula training, Kayla has worked with over a dozen families. In 2006, she joined DST's board of directors. Currently, she is persuing her Women's Studies degree through Lane Community College. She lives with her partner Devin and daughter Bailey.

I have been lucky enough to be on the board of directors for DST for 3 years and have been truly inspired by the work that this organization accomplishes. These dedicated and skillful doulas make a tremendous contribution to our community by serving and supporting pregnant and parenting teens! I have a background in homebirth midwifery, work at Sacred Heart Hospital and am currently pursuing a BS in Nursing. I live in Eugene with my 2 awesome children (Hazel, 11 and Oliver, 7), a supportive partner and 2 crazy dogs.

I am a mother of three beautiful, fantastic children. I have a B.A. In Political Science with a minor in Women's Studies. My professional background is in counseling, social work, political activism, and currently in research. I believe strongly in equal access to resources for all people, including women and children of all ages. I also believe that everyone should be supported and given choices while pregnant and giving birth. I am proud to be involved with DST and all that they offer this community.