Group Staff

Monica Esparza

Monica (she/her/ella) has been a leader in the non-profit sector for over 8 years, most recently as Executive Director of the New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force. With extensive experience serving on advisory and nonprofit boards dedicated to maternal and infant…

Saychelle Rincon Y

Saychelle is an intuitive, kindhearted Midwifery Fellow who strives to always be learning. Saychelle is proud to be part of a large Caribbean family who immigrated to New York City and Miami, Florida. After earning their Bachelor’s degree in English…

Marissa Evarts, BSM, LM, CPM

Marissa was first introduced to the concept of physiological birth in 2007 while working on a bachelor’s degree in Holistic Nutrition. This is when her passion to become a midwife began. She went on to serve as a birth doula…

Claire Barrett Bettler, CNM, IBCLC

My name is Claire Barrett Bettler (she/her) and, as a midwife who is passionate about community-based healthcare, I feel incredibly honored to be joining CWI’s amazing team. I have watched this organization grow and create real change in our state,…

Taleisa Benally

My name is Taleisa Benally (Diné) and I am the new Nutrition Aid Coordinator for Changing Women Initiative. I come from the Navajo Nation out in Arizona and came to New Mexico as a college student. I am a recent…

Felicia Otto

Anishinaabe Boozhoo, my name is Felicia Otto. I was born and raised on the reservation in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. I am a proud member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. I am a mother to 4 wonderful kids. I graduated…

Kimberly Moore-Salas, IBCLC

Navajo/Diné  Kim is born from Naakaii Diné (Mexican People) and from Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak People) clans. Born in Tuba City, maternally from Tolani Lake, AZ located in the southwestern area of the Navajo Nation. Growing up on and off the…

Julia Wall (Hoki Pah), BA

Pueblo/ Anishinaabe Julia Wall also known as Hoki-Pah, is a Pueblo/ Anishinaabe woman continuously exploring the intersection between land based sovereignty and reproductive justice. Julia is a mother to 7 year old Orion Rain and is grateful to have such an incredible…

Crissy Williams, BA

She/Her/Hers ​Crissy received her BA in Psychology from Arizona State University in 2008.  She has been trained and certified as a birth and postpartum doula, and has also assisted with home births.  Crissy also has 20+ years of experience as…