2026 AABC Election Results

The AABC recently held its annual Board of Directors election, including selecting our next President. Members cast their votes from an impressive slate of candidates, and we are excited to introduce your newly elected Board members:

President-Elect

Amy Goh, PhD, CNM, FACNM

Amy is a consultant for the Beloved Birth 50 By 50 initiative, supporting birth centers led by Black, Indigenous, and midwives of color. With 15 years of experience as a midwife, she serves on the AABC Board and co-chairs its Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Her research focuses on perinatal health equity and digital health for people of color. Amy also teaches at Thomas Jefferson University and is a Fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

Directors

Michelle Gabriel-Caldwell, PhD, CD, CBE, PPD, CLE

Michelle is a leader in maternal health as CEO of Baby, Please Birth Services Agency LLC and director of doulas and education at The Birth Center of New Jersey. Her work spans over two decades, emphasizing low-intervention, evidence-based care, advocacy, and workforce development. Michelle chairs the Perinatal Health Equity Initiative, mentors doulas nationally, and serves on multiple boards and coalitions, focusing on expanding access to midwifery-led care, community doulas, and equitable maternity services.

Charline Mitchell, MSEd, IBCLC

Charline is a lactation consultant, doula, and founder of Birth by Queens Foundation, leading the creation of Queens, New York’s first freestanding birth center. A passionate maternal health advocate, she champions equitable, community-based maternity care. Nationally active with AABC, Charline brings best practices from over 25 birth centers to her work. Locally, she provides lactation and doula services, mentors aspiring birth workers, and leads advocacy and partnerships to reflect and serve Queens’ diverse community.

Talita Wells Oseguera, DNP, CNM, IBCLC

Talita is a certified nurse midwife, lactation consultant, and reproductive justice advocate with over 15 years of experience. She trained at UCSF with a focus on global health and is dedicated to equity, empowerment, and partnership with families. Talita’s evidence-based practice emphasizes safety and dignity for all. She serves as secretary of the AABC Board and practices with an all-Black midwife team at CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health in Memphis, Tennessee.

Mary Sommers, MPS, CPM, IBCLC

Mary is a Certified Professional Midwife and director of the Birth Center at PCC Community Wellness Center in Chicago. She co-founded Chicago Community Midwives and helped gain Medicaid coverage for out-of-hospital births. Mary has influenced maternal health policy at local, state, and federal levels, and was a WHO fellow. She authored "More Than a Midwife," trains doulas and students, and has worked over 35 years in community health, with five children and three grandchildren.

Director - Special Election

Rebeckah Orton, BS, RN

Rebeckah is a nurse, scientist, and birth center owner dedicated to creating a self-sustaining system for midwives and improving access to care for high-risk populations. A persistent advocate for six years, she helped develop and teach a sustainability course now adopted by most accredited birth centers. Her team’s work has led to successful negotiations with insurance providers across several states, fostering meaningful contracts and driving sustainable, industry-wide change for midwifery care.

Alternate Director

Lindsay Lachant, DNP, APRN/CNM, IBCLC, PMH-C

Lindsay is a Certified Nurse-Midwife and co-founding leader of Green Mountain Birth Center, working to establish Vermont’s first licensed freestanding birth center. With experience in hospitals, birth centers, and private practice, she champions community-based, relationship-centered midwifery and rural maternal health services. Lindsay serves on multiple AABC committees, mentors students nationally, and advocates for policy change. Her professional interests include expanding midwifery access, rural maternity care, perinatal mental health, and advancing the birth center model.

Congratulations to these exceptional leaders—both new and returning—who will officially begin their terms following the AABC Birth Institute this fall.