Meet The Board
Kathy Buchanan
On October 22, 2023, our hearts shattered as we bid farewell to our heart and soul of the Maternal Wellness Program, Kathy. Her legacy is indelible, and her absence is deeply felt. Kathy's imprint on MWP goes beyond words; she embodied its spirit. Though she's no longer with us, her passing hasn't dampened our dedication—instead, it has ignited a flame to learn and live in the spirit of Kathleen Buchanan.
Kathy is irreplaceable, and we don't seek to fill the void she left; rather, we carve out a space to honor her memory. This empty space serves as a perpetual reminder of Kathy's values, her boundless passion, and her unwavering love for others. It stands as a poignant prompt for us to persist, to continue extending our helping hands, and to keep nurturing love.
Kathy Buchanan remains an integral part of Maternal Wellness, and our mission echoes hers. We carry forward, fueled by her spirit, never forgetting the extraordinary mark she left on us.
Deanna Falzone
Deanna Falzone is a proud mom of three. With a background in journalism and years of experience as an anchor and reporter at Fox17, Deanna has always had a passion for storytelling and advocacy. During her time in the news industry, she found a special connection with other moms by highlighting the joys and challenges of motherhood on a public platform. Her involvement with the Maternal Wellness Program grew out of a desire to continue that work—sharing her own journey to remind other mothers they are never alone.
Advisory Board |
Robyn Hubbard, MD
Dr. Hubbard is known for her compassionate, patient-centered approach, always taking the time to truly listen and support her patients in becoming healthier, more empowered individuals. Her passion lies in helping women and their families better understand their health and the options available to them.
Dr. Hubbard earned her medical degree from Northwestern University in 1993 and became part of the West Michigan community during her residency at Blodgett Memorial Medical Center/St. Mary’s Hospital in 1997. She currently serves as the Chair of the Department of OB/GYN at Spectrum Health.
Her professional affiliations include the American Medical Association, Michigan State Medical Society, Kent County Medical Society, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Hubbard is an active voice in the community, frequently using media platforms to advocate for women’s health through Grand Rapids Women’s Health.
Outside of her medical career, Dr. Hubbard enjoys dance, performing in Grand Rapids community theatre, and cheering on her three children in their many activities.
Michaela Ayew-Ew
Michaela Ayew-ew, LPC, PMH-C, CCTP, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. She specializes in supporting individuals through postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, birth trauma, pregnancy and neonatal loss, as well as infertility and secondary infertility.
Michaela is deeply committed to raising awareness and offering compassionate care to moms who are struggling. Her approach is rooted in empathy and understanding, shaped by both her professional expertise and personal experience. As a former participant in the Maternal Wellness Program's SOUL and Postpartum support groups, Michaela knows firsthand the healing power of connection and community.
“I consider it an honor and privilege to journey alongside women as they navigate through the challenges associated with motherhood.”
Michaela continues to walk alongside mothers with warmth, strength, and a profound respect for each unique journey.
Heather Glenn
Heather has been a Registered Nurse since 2006, with the majority of her career focused on caring for mothers in High Risk Antepartum and Postpartum settings. Her passion for supporting moms navigating Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) was born out of her own experience following the birth of her son in 2016. That personal journey inspired her to join her hospital’s PMAD team and begin facilitating a local support group for mothers in need.
Heather and her husband, Joe, are parents to three children—Easton, Scarlett, and Johanna. While much of her time is now devoted to being a stay-at-home mom, her involvement with the Maternal Wellness Program has been a meaningful extension of her heart for maternal mental health.
Heather wants every mother to know: you are not alone. Whether in pregnancy or postpartum, she is committed to listening, guiding, and encouraging moms through every step of their journey.
Rachelle Sova
Rachelle was born and raised in West Michigan. Married in 2000, she and her husband, Josh, have three living children. In 2014, Rachelle had a son who passed away 6 hours after birth, followed by two miscarriages in the years after.
Her personal journey through loss led her to join the Maternal Wellness Program in December 2018. Just a few months later, in March 2019, she helped launch the SOUL group (Sharing Our Untimely Losses). As a co-facilitator, Rachelle is passionate about holding space for bereaved parents—a space rooted in empathy, understanding, and community. Her leadership continues to guide the program with compassion and purpose.
Advisory Board |
Nancy Kingma
Nancy is widely recognized as one of the leading therapists in the area for pregnancy and infant loss. With over 40 years of experience supporting women, children, and families, Nancy brings a deeply compassionate and integrative approach to care. She is dually licensed as a nurse (BSN, University of Michigan) and therapist (LLP, LPC, Western Michigan University), and is also a National Certified Counselor with certification in Holistic Health.
Nancy’s unique combination of medical and mental health expertise allows her to guide individuals and families toward healing, wholeness, and renewed purpose. Her background in obstetrics provides a valuable lens for working with mothers experiencing postpartum depression, while her 15 years as Bereavement Coordinator at Spectrum Health and Helen DeVos Children's Hospital have solidified her role as an expert in grief and loss—especially with families facing the death of an infant or child.
Lindsay Mach
Lindsay lives in the Grand Rapids area with her husband, Rory, and their two sons, Ian and Lochlan. Her journey into supporting mothers began after her own deeply personal experiences with infertility, the loss of her daughter Charlie to Trisomy 18, and her battle with postpartum anxiety and depression.
Motivated by a desire to help others navigating similar grief and challenges, Lindsay began her work in maternal support with her local Share Chapter in Illinois. She completed a Caring Companion seminar, equipping her to provide peer support to families experiencing the loss of a baby. After relocating to West Michigan, she furthered her commitment by completing the Sharing and Caring Training—an intensive workshop focused on facilitating support groups for pregnancy and infant loss.
Lindsay is passionate about raising awareness, offering education, and providing heartfelt support to families through the Maternal Wellness Program’s SOUL and PALS groups. She hopes her story and presence can offer others comfort, strength, and community.
“You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.” – Bob Marley
Emily Murray-Joseph
Emily and her husband, Tyler, are parents to two living children, Evelyn and Quinn, and honor the memory of their first baby, Darragh, who they lost to miscarriage in 2019. After Darragh’s passing, Emily found healing and connection through the Maternal Wellness Program’s SOUL and PAL groups—support that she credits as vital in her journey through grief and ultimately in her decision to become a gestational carrier for a close friend.
Emily is a therapist at Human Kind Counseling, where she works primarily with children and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, and trauma. She holds a master’s degree in social work and is especially passionate about foster care and refugee/immigration advocacy.
She enjoys traveling, reading, going for walks, and spending time with friends and family. In honor of her son, Darragh, Emily remains dedicated to supporting other parents who have experienced the loss of a child, offering them a space to feel seen, supported, and never alone.