Kelli

Kelli is the founder and owner of Tree of Life Doula Care based in Bozeman, Montana. She began her journey as a doula when she attended her first birth in November of 2005 at the request of a friend. Although not formally trained, she dove into books on childbirth and prepared as best she could. The experience left her feeling drawn to this kind of loving service and guided her decision to have a doula at the birth of her own child two years later. Her doula was instrumental in ensuring her husband could be at his best and gave Kelli the care she needed to keep going through a long and difficult (and ultimately beautiful) birth. These two experiences solidified Kelli’s desire to pursue birth work more intentionally. The opportunity arose in 2013 after years of working in executive roles for non-profit organizations for Kelli to complete her professional training as a doula. First with BirthMama and then through Doula Trainings International, receiving the title of Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula. Kelli continued to pursue education to deepen her knowledge and expand her ability to support women and families by completing training as a Certified Lactation Counselor, receiving her certificate as a Maternal Mental Health Professional from Postpartum Support International, and completing coursework as a Certified Body Ready MethodTM Professional. She has participated in additional trainings with StillBirthday as a Bereavement Doula, Sacred Pregnancy to better support the journey of motherhood, and with ZAAGI’IDIWIN in their Full Spectrum Indigenous Doula course. Kelli has birthed her own children in the hospital, at a birth center, and at home. She is a 2017 recipient of the Bozeman Daily Chronicle’s 20 Under 40 Award for her support of families and her innovative approach to connecting them with resources. She received a Peacemaker Award in 2012 from the Community Mediation Center for her work in fostering strong relationships in the community. Kelli is currently working on creating opportunities for greater access to doula support for families through projects with state and local entities. She is an active member of the Montana Childbirth Collective and the Gallatin Breastfeeding Coalition. Prior to pursuing doula work, Kelli received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University in Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology. Notably, she is a wife to an artist and mother to six children on earth and four in heaven.