Meet Cohort 3 Graduates

Sponsored by NICHQ 

Ashley Askins, LPC - MHSP
Centerstone
Christiana, Tennessee

Ashley Askins is a licensed professional counselor and mental health service provider with over 10 years of experience in the field of mental health. She specializes in trauma-informed infant mental health and maternal mental health care. Mrs. Askins earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University, completing her practicum and internship at the Mobile Crisis Unit at Ridgeview Behavioral Health Center. She went on to complete two years of post-master’s clinical work to earn her license to practice.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Askins has worked with a diverse range of clients, including children, adults, and families. She has extensive experience treating anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Her passion lies in helping her clients develop the skills and resilience they need to navigate life’s challenges and achieve their personal goals.

In addition to her clinical practice, Mrs. Askins is a dedicated advocate for mental health awareness and policy change. She has been actively involved in numerous advocacy initiatives aimed at increasing access to mental health services and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. Her efforts include collaborating with local organizations to develop community outreach programs.

As a leader in the mental health field, Mrs. Askins has held various leadership positions, including Licensed Clinical Supervisor at a prominent mental health organization. In this role, she oversees the training and supervision of a multidisciplinary team of therapists, ensuring the delivery of high-quality care. She is committed to fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment where clinicians can thrive and grow professionally.

Mrs. Askins is dedicated to creating a warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts and feelings. She believes in a collaborative approach to therapy, working closely with her clients to tailor treatment plans that meet their unique needs and preferences.

When she is not working, Mrs. Askins enjoys exercising at the gym and spending time with her family and friends. She is an avid reader and loves exploring the city.

Personal Mantra: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13 KJV

Felicia Hanney, MPH
Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County Public Health Department
Indianapolis, Indiana

Felicia Hanney is the Project Manager for Indianapolis Healthy Start (IHS) at the Marion County Public Health Department. In this role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the IHS program, which provides case management, health education, and outreach to pregnant and parenting women in 11 zip codes in Marion County with the highest rates of infant mortality and poor birth outcomes. Felicia works closely with policymakers, state agencies, and community stakeholders to raise awareness about infant mortality and educate the public on Maternal Child Health, aligning with IHS's goal to eliminate health disparities in birth outcomes and improve infant survival rates in Marion County.

Felicia currently serves as the workgroup leader for the Mom's Safe Sleep workgroup under the Marion County FIMR Community Action Team/Community Consortium Action Network. With over 20 years of combined volunteer and professional experience in public health, Felicia specializes in population health, women's health, and minority health issues. She has contributed to and presented at local, state, and national conferences, focusing on maternal mental health, safe sleep practices, quality improvement, and strategic initiatives.

Felicia is a Certified Lactation Specialist and Certified Blactation Educator. She earned her Master's in Public Health with a concentration in Health Promotion and Health Education from Wright State University in Dayton, OH, and received her Bachelor's in Exercise Science from Indiana State University. Felicia serves as the board secretary for the National Healthy Start Association, is an active board member for the Martin Center Sickle Cell Initiative, and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Personal Mantra: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13 KJV

Carldesha Holden-Nelson, MPH, CLC, CPST
American Public Health Association
Portland, Oregon 

Desha Holden-Nelson, a Birth & Breastfeeding Warrior (BBW) from South Central Los Angeles, CA, developed a passion for Black maternal health at a young age. While earning her Bachelor's degree in Public Health at Xavier University of Louisiana, she trained as a doula and interned with Healthy Start’s Best Baby Zone Hollygrove program. This experience inspired her to blend birthwork with public health's core components: health education, advocacy, and creating a multi-generational impact on family health. In 2018, Desha joined the inaugural cohort of Xavier’s MPH program, where she gained unique tools to serve and represent her community.

Today, Desha is a Black maternal health specialist, continually expanding her knowledge and impact. She serves as a doula, lactation consultant, car seat safety technician, and program coordinator for a Black maternal and family health program in Portland, OR. In her role, she creates and secures funding for perinatal and family-centered education and resources to address health disparities in the Black community.

Desha is a strong advocate for Black birthing families in Multnomah County, serving on multiple committees, including the African American Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon (AABCO), the Oregon Maternal Mortality Review Committee, and the Oregon Momnibus 2025 steering committee. She also chairs the Providence Birth Equity Community Advisory Committee. Desha has written several abstracts and presented at national public health and maternal child health conferences, including the American Public Health Association, Health Connect One, CityMatCH, and the National Network of Public Health Institutes.

In 2022, Desha launched helpHER Doula Services & Consulting to leverage her public health expertise, ancestral knowledge, and passion for Black families to improve maternal and infant outcomes, transform Black parents’ perinatal care expectations, and support the reclamation of breastfeeding as a birthright for the Black community.

Personal Mantra: And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 NKJV

Amanda Rostic, MPH
Corewell Health
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Senior Project Manager, DEI and Health Equity

Guiding Goal: Amanda is driven by her goal to advocate for marginalized communities by leveraging data and storytelling to educate and collaborate with decision-makers.

Current Role: Amanda currently serves as a project manager on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team at Corewell Health, where she also supports statewide health equity initiatives. In her role, she is responsible for DEI and Health Equity planning, operations, and the implementation of large-scale policy, education, and cultural initiatives. Additionally, Amanda supports the overall DEI strategy and budget. She finds fulfillment in helping team members and patients feel more valued, seen, and heard.

Background: Amanda has dedicated the past 17 years of her career to serving patients, families, and healthcare workers. Her experience spans clinical roles within hospitals and private practices, as well as positions in the research and finance offices at Corewell Health. Amanda has also served as a health equity and community health advisor. After completing graduate school in 2017, she transitioned from patient care to patient advocacy.

Amanda is passionate about work centered on health equity, maternal-infant health, and health literacy. She utilizes her degrees in biology, chemistry, public health, and epidemiology to contribute to equity-centered projects across industries. In May 2023, Amanda produced a documentary titled Delivering While Black about the Black Maternal Health Crisis. The documentary debuted at the American Public Health Association annual conference in November 2023 and has since premiered at four additional film festivals.

Proud Achievements:

• Amanda successfully drafted two state proclamations that were signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer: the 2019 Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week (Feb 7-14) and the 2021 Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17).
• She advocated for congenital heart defect awareness, research, and funding in Washington, D.C., where she had the opportunity to meet with Senators Debbie Stabenow, Gary Peters, and Justin Amash.
• Amanda played a key role in garnering support for Bill 370 by testifying at a Michigan Senate Subcommittee Hearing. This bill was created to support families impacted by congenital heart defects.

Kimberly Sheppard, BS, MSW
Cobb Douglas Public Health
Powder Springs, Georgia

Kimberly Sheppard is a deeply dedicated and passionate social work practitioner with over three decades of exemplary experience in both micro and macro social services. Her extensive expertise spans various domains, including child welfare, family preservation, housing, mental health, substance abuse, fatherhood involvement, social-emotional learning for youth, and community engagement. Kimberly is also highly skilled in program management, quality assurance evaluation, and strategic leadership.

She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Boston University in 1992 and her Master's Degree in Social Work from Boston College in 2010. Kimberly is currently working toward obtaining her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensure, which she expects to achieve by December 2024.

Born and raised in Boston, MA, Kimberly spent several years in San Diego, CA, from the ages of 8 to 14 before returning to Boston, where she worked for the majority of her professional career. Kimberly is the proud mother of two grown children who have achieved significant success—one as a family nurse practitioner and the other as a Senior Technology Consultant.

In July 2021, Kimberly relocated to Georgia and joined Cobb Douglas Public Health as the Healthy Start Program Manager in September 2021. Although this role marks her first professional experience in maternal and child health, Kimberly's personal experiences as a Black, breastfeeding mother, social worker, child welfare advocate, and DEI champion have intensified her passion for seeking equity and social justice for Black mothers and babies. Since becoming the Healthy Start manager, Kimberly has committed herself to expanding her professional knowledge in Black maternal and child health through various trainings, webinars, conferences, podcasts, and participation in the BMBFA’s Birth and Breastfeeding Institute, which she was accepted into in November 2023.

Throughout her career, Kimberly has remained steadfast in her commitment to social services, social justice, advocacy, and equity. She is dedicated to making a positive contribution to reducing Black infant and maternal mortality and morbidity rates and enhancing social determinants of health for historically marginalized and disenfranchised minority communities.

Personal Mantra: "I'm unstoppable." I am determined to reach my goals and make them a reality. I am undeterred from my dreams. I was brought to this world to conquer my obstacles. My troubles cannot bring me down.

Romaine Stephens, CLC, CCHW
Orangeburg, South Carolina

Romaine Stephens, CLC, CCHW, has been a dedicated member of the Family Solutions staff since 2010, currently serving as the Community Engagement Specialist. She also holds the position of Midland Regional Leader for the SC Community Health Workers Association.

In April 2011, Romaine became certified as a lactation consultant, empowering her to provide breastfeeding education and support to mothers. She has successfully supported over 400 women in their breastfeeding journeys, helping to foster positive attitudes toward breastfeeding and reduce the stigma surrounding the practice.

Romaine is currently an emerging leader in the BMBFA's Birth & Breastfeeding Leadership Institute (BBLI) as part of the Fall 2023 cohort, a group that is employer-sponsored and supported by NICHQ Healthy Start.

In addition to her role at Family Solutions, Romaine serves on the advisory board for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute project: It Takes a Village: Increasing Capacity for Breast/Chest Feeding Equity among African Americans. She also chairs the social media committee for the South Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition.

As a reproductive health specialist for Family Solutions, Romaine educates and connects women and men to reproductive and contraceptive care at partnering healthcare locations. Her passion for supporting birthing people led her to become a community doula, having previously served as a support person in over 76 births. As a community doula, she provides emotional support to birthing mothers and families, helping them achieve a more positive birth experience. She also assists in parent-child interactions and the development of parenting skills.

Romaine holds a Master's degree in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree from South Carolina State University. She is a proud mother of her late son Rodney and her son Christon, who is thriving and full of energy.

Personal Mantra: I am a spiritual midwife