#United States #Chicago #Doulas #HealthConnect One #Janessa Mondestin

A New Chapter for HealthConnect One

HealthConnect One (HC One), a pivotal nonprofit organization committed to birth equity, is excited to share that Janessa Mondestin has been appointed as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). This announcement comes as HC One celebrates its 40th anniversary in a significant moment of expansion focused on community-based doula care. With operations across 36 states and over 175 communities, the organization is on track to broaden its impact further than ever before.

Leadership Transition

Mondestin's promotion formalizes her leadership role during a transformative period in the organization’s history. She has successfully overseen essential operations, including finance, fundraising, and strategic partnerships, all while modernizing HC One’s operational framework. Her leadership is particularly focused on capacity building for grassroots doula organizations, ensuring they have the necessary infrastructure, systems, and resources to thrive. This approach parallels HC One's core philosophy: strong communities need robust institutions to support them.

As HC One embarks on the new fiscal year, the organization has outlined four primary strategic initiatives. These include the expansion of its flagship campaign, "Doulas Are for Every Body," reestablishing lactation support as a vital service, enhancing the DoulaREADI program, and initiating global outreach by building on a training cohort in Ghana and a unique pilot scheme in Puerto Rico.

Focus on Maternal and Infant Health

Mondestin's expertise and established relationships within the South and South-Central regions of the United States—spanning states like North Carolina, Georgia, and Louisiana—position HC One to adapt and respond to significant gaps in maternal and infant health services. This strategic expansion into areas with substantial unmet needs is vital for improving outcomes for families across the regions.

In her words, Mondestin articulates the mission-driven nature of operations: "Operations is how we honor the mission. Every system we build, every partnership we structure, every grassroots organization we resource—it exists so that the doulas, the families, and the communities we serve have the infrastructure they deserve behind them."

The Significance of the Appointment

Dr. Twylla Dillion, President and CEO of HC One, expressed the importance of Mondestin's role: "Janessa brings an operations-as-liberation frame to everything she touches. This organization has needed a COO who understands that how we work is inseparable from why we work. She is that person."

Looking Ahead

As HealthConnect One advances into its 40th year, the commitment to developing visible, accountable, and community-rooted leadership remains steadfast. Mondestin is not only a facilitator of policy and operations; she is also a thought leader who routinely shares insights on birth equity and operational strategies through HC One’s Substack.

Interested parties can explore partnership opportunities or support HC One’s transformative work at healthconnectone.org. To engage in the "Doulas Are for Every Body" campaign, visit doulasareforeverybody.org. Furthermore, those interested in following Janessa Mondestin’s ongoing contributions can subscribe at healthconnectone.substack.com.

Every Birth. Every Family. Every Community. Together, we can enhance access to vital maternal health resources across diverse communities, creating a healthier future for all.