The Sitting Moon started with an idea that was built from a need. We watched the women we cared for, both professionally and personally, suffering. We saw that their postpartum needs were not being met. We witnessed a society that placed unrealistic expectations on new mothers, but failed to provide them the tools, education, and support to meet those obligations. We found in ourselves a responsibility, in our collective ability, to step in and help.
We are your partner, your spouse, your mom, your dad, your grandma and grandpa. We are your sister, your brother, your aunt and uncle. We are your babysitter, your teacher, your nurse, your doula, your community. We are you. We are here to help.
Our focus is on providing education, resources and hands on support for moms and families. We also provide Postpartum doula training and certification to ensure moms are able to get the right kind of care.
Angie Van Valkenburg, MSN, RNC-OB
Co-founder, President, and ChairmanAngie has worked as a Labor and Delivery Nurse for 16 years. She was a TCU fellow, completing an evidenced based practice project on depression screening for perinatal mental health. This project was eventually adopted and implemented in a major hospital system in the DFW area. Angie's goal is better overall care during the 4th trimester.
Kaela Sparks-Olmos, OTA, CD
Co-founder, Director of Operations, and acting SecretaryAs both an OTA and doula Kaela has provided in home education and support to families since 2015. After facing her own PMAD struggles, Kaela shifted her focus to finding ways to assist moms and families in navigating the struggles of the fourth trimester. She believes that with improved education and support we can reduce the struggles of postpartum life.
Joe Van Valkenburg
Director of AdministrationJoe is a husband, a father, a son, a brother, and an uncle. He has worked in business administration and account management for the past 10 years. Before that he worked in customer service and sales and even homeschooled his 3 sons for 5 years. Throughout his journey he has come to understand the difficulties that come with the fourth trimester.
Britney Gardner
Director of Marketing and Social MediaFor the last 15 years Britney has been in the financial industry and has served on many nonprofit boards. Britney is the mother of 3 beautiful daughters and a military spouse. As a military spouse, Britney has also served others while their spouse was deployed. She enjoys helping others, being a cheerleader for others while they learn, and giving back to the community.
Emily Estill, BSN, RNC-OB
Vice Chairman, Board of DirectorsEmily has worked in L&D for 23 years. She is compassionate and a natural educator. Emily in her time as a supervisor, implemented meaningful, simulated drills and other educational opportunities for nurses and patients in the health system she works for. As a recipient of Healing Hands, Caring Hearts award she has demonstrated her passion for helping families in the toughest times.
April Mayhan, BSN, RNC-OB
Board MemberApril has a Bachelors degree in Nursing and Psychology. She has been a Labor and Delivery nurse for 12 years and has taught childbirth classes, assisted with lactation support, and is currently completing her Master's Degree in Nursing Education. After having 26 week twins, she struggled with postpartum anxiety and her passion for helping to support moms in the postpartum period began.
Elizabeth Carlin
Board MemberLiz is a mother of 2 and the owner and CEO of a software engineering company. Liz has over 5 years of experience serving on nonprofit boards and feels as though her true calling is helping others. After suffering from PPA and delayed PPD brought on by breast-weaning her youngest, she found a true passion in women's mental health. Liz believes that with true community women can overcome any obstacles.
Rebecca Hardy, PhD, LPC
Board MemberDr. Becky Hardy is currently working as a counselor and crisis assessment specialist at Texas Health Resources Behavioral Health. She has extensive experience as a community organizer and nonprofit volunteer. Becky was married for 37 years before being widowed. Her husband was an OB/GYN and the care of pregnant and post-partum women was woven into the Hardy family values.