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Current Leadership
Current CNMA Board of Directors
President
Elected by the CNMA membership. The president serves a four year term. The first year is as president elect, working closely with the current president. Then they serve two years as president followed by a year as past-president, offering continued guidance and support for the incoming president.
President Elect
Perform the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the President to serve. Succeed to the office of President at the end of the presidential term or earlier should the office become vacant during an unfinished term. Perform such duties as may be delegated by the President. Coordinate arrangements and program components of Affiliate meetings. President elect is a voting member.
Secretary
Elected by the CNMA membership. Serves a two year term and is responsible for maintaining affiliate documents, keeping BOD minutes, and disseminating election ballots. Secretary is a voting member.
Treasurer
Elected by the CNMA membership and serves a two year term. The treasurer maintains the fiscal health of the organization. Treasurer is a voting member.
Reproductive Justice & Anti-Racism Chair
Appointed by the CNMA Reproductive Justice and Anti-Racism Committee. Serves a two-year term. Responsible for guiding CNMA in our aim to become an organization committed to the reproductive-justice framework and to become an anti-racist organization. Acts as liaison between the Board and the Reproductive Justice Anti-Racism Committee.
Reproductive Justice & Antiracism Chair: OPEN
Immediate Past Reproductive Justice & Antiracism Chair: Mayra Lizette Yniguez
Representing Underrepresented Community
Two positions. Elected by the CNMA membership. Serves a two year term. Acts as liaison and represents the interests of a community underrepresented in midwifery and/or on the CNMA board. Representing Underrepresented Community is a voting member.
Member At Large - Representing Underrepresented Community:
TWO POSITIONS OPEN
Northern California Regional Representative
Elected by the CNMA membership. Serves a three year term. Acts as liaison between CNMA and Nor-Cal Midwives. Northern California Regional Representative is a voting member.
Central California Regional Representative
Elected by the CNMA membership. Serves a three year term. Acts as liaison between CNMA and Central CA Midwives. Central California Regional Representative is a voting member.
Central California Regional Representative
OPEN
Southern California Regional Representative
Elected by the CNMA membership. Serves a three year term. Acts as liaison between CNMA and So-Cal Midwives. Southern California Regional Representative is a voting member.
Student Representatives
Two positions. Position rotates annually between Nurse-Midwifery education programs in California. Serves a two year term. Acts as liaison between CNMA and California Midwives. Shares one vote on BOD.
Student Representative
Nicole Quintana (2026-2027)
Outgoing Student Representative
Olivia Godby (2024-2026)
Active Committees
Communications Committee & Workgroup
The communications chair works very closely with the Social Media and Communications Consultant, supporting and directing them in their paid role to grow the social media platforms for both CNMA (content development, interactions with followers, moderating comments) and update the CNMA website. The communications chair also works with the CNMA President to publish CNMA’s bi-monthly newsletter and curate and distribute emails to CNMA membership, and collaborates with other CNMA committees to promote events and share information.
Continuing Education Committee & Workgroup
Responsible for planning and hosting the annual meeting each fall and puts together continuing education programs made available through the CNMA website.
Legislative Action and Advocacy Committee
The Legislative Action and Advocacy Committee represents the membership regarding legislative and policy actions impacting the practice of nurse-midwifery in the state of California; promotes the health and well-being of women, pregnant and birthing people, and families in California consistent with the mission of the California Nurse-Midwives Association; establishes and maintains cooperation with other groups and organizations that advance policies, regulations, and legislation that promote the health and well-being of California families, including but not limited to the California Association of Licensed Midwives and ACOG District IX; supports and fosters appropriate legislation and regulations affecting nurse-midwifery scope of practice, professional licensure, and/or policies that affect nurse-midwifery in California, with specific consideration for the health equity of patients and advancement of the profession of midwifery as a whole.
Membership Committee
In addition to managing the active CNMA membership list, the primary responsibility of the committee is to work with the CNMA leadership team to create and implement a membership strategic plan, gather data to assess member satisfaction and needs, help establish membership priorities, set goals for membership expansion, review programs for effectiveness, enhance or eliminate current programs, and develop and implement new programs to achieve these goals. The Membership Committee Chair is also responsible for being an initial point of contact for members with concerns and questions for chapter leaders who need additional support from the state affiliate.
Midwifery Workforce Development and Education Support Committee
A new committee that will focus on building and diversifying the CNM workforce in California, including strategizing to increase the number of clinical placement sites and preceptors in California, establishing and maintaining two-way communication between midwifery programs that have student nurse-midwives in California and the CNMA Board of Directors, and fostering and supporting student mentoring programs. They will work alongside the Student Representatives.
Midwifery Workforce Development and Education Support Committee Chair: Kim Dau
Immediate Past Midwifery Workforce Development and Education Support Committee Co-Chair: Melanie Phipps
Professional Practice Committee & Workgroup: Group is in development.
Reproductive Justice & Antiracism Committee & Workgroup
The Antiracism Committee & Workgroup is the first Reproductive Justice Affinity group and is responsible for supporting CNMA to become an organization that is composed of racially diverse and anti-racist leadership and membership. We aim to diversify the midwifery workforce, and address the racism-based disparities in reproductive health care and promote access to anti-racist training and education for all California midwives.
Reproductive Justice & Antiracism Committee & Workgroup Chair: OPEN
Immediate Past Reproductive Justice & Antiracism Committee & Workgroup Chair: Mayra Lizette Yniguez
White Antiracism Workgroup
The White Antiracism workgroup is a group of white identifying members of CNMA leadership dedicated to learning and educating other white midwives about antiracism and social justice in midwifery care.
White Antiracism Chair: OPEN
Government Affairs Committee
GAC supports ACNM’s strategic plan and advocacy agenda. These advocacy efforts include communicating federal legislative and regulatory developments to the affiliate, coordinating meetings with legislators, and contributing to the dialogue on relevant legislation and regulations.
Government Affairs Committee Liaison: Claire Harper
Bylaws Committee
Bylaws Committee Chair: OPEN
Open BOD Positions
Representatives from Under-Represented Groups (2 Positions Open)
Representatives from under-represented groups (including but not limited to BIPOC, disabled, LGBTQ, rural, poor, home birth and free-standing birth center midwives) shall:
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Attend monthly BOD meetings
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Ideally have a well-developed understanding of the Reproductive Justice Framework
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Be in community and connection with the members of the under-represented community/communities whose voice they are elevating. Bring awareness to the specific needs of these communities to the BOD and act as a voice for the members to the BOD
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Attend their local chapter meetings, when possible
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Take initiative to be involved in events in their region and to develop relationships with the members of the region
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Possibly be involved with fundraising to support CNMA aims
Voting Status: They are voting members of the BOD
Term: 3 year term: 2 years as Representative from an under-represented group, followed by one year as Immediate Past Representative (the "Immediate Past" role is non-voting.)
Regional Representatives – Central CA
Regional Representatives (one each from Southern CA, Northern CA and Central CA) shall:
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Attend monthly BOD meetings
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Keep in touch with the regional chapters so the regional director is up to date
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Act as a voice for the members to the BOD
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Establish two-way communication with regional chapter chairs and members to update them on affiliate issues, as well as bring issues, comments, needs and requests from regional members to the BOD
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Take initiative regarding events in their region and develop relationships with the members of the region, including participation at local chapter meetings, when possible
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They are encouraged to be involved in fundraising efforts in their region
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Take a leadership role in organizing in-district visits when it comes to grassroots advocacy/legislation
Voting Status: Regional Reps are voting members of the BOD
Term: 3 year term: 2 years as Regional Rep, followed by one year as Immediate Past Regional Rep (the "Immediate Past" role is non-voting.)
Reproductive Justice Anti-Racism Committee Chair
The Reproductive Justice Anti-Racism Committee Chair shall:
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Participate in monthly RJ/AR meetings
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Attend monthly BOD meetings and advise the BOD on issues related to Reproductive Justice & Anti-Racism
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Provide Quarterly communication with CNMA members regarding committee activity
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Interface with American College of Nurse-Midwives and their current committees focusing on racial and reproductive justice issues
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Coordinate collaboration with other professional groups on issues related to anti-racism and racism-based health disparities work
Voting Status: RJ/AR Chair is a voting member of the BOD
Term: 3 year term: 2 years as RJAR committee chair, followed by one year as Immediate Past RJAR Committee Chair (the "Immediate Past" role is non-voting.)
White Antiracism Chair
Started in 2009 in response to a call for action from and for CNMA white identifying BOD members to be supporting, educating and working on antiracism within our organization in an effort to be a more antiracist organization and also to take the burden of work off our colleagues of color to educate and support us. Affinity groups have long been a supportive part of antiracism work. We are looking for someone to lead this group. No experience required. Only humility and dedication to social justice.
Nominating Committee (Two Positions Open)
It is a 3-year term with a 2-term limit. The time commitment for the nominating committee is limited each year – the responsibilities include finding eligible candidates for all open board positions and conducting the election – creating and sending out ballots electronically, and then counting the ballots. This process will take place in the second half of the calendar year, with the search for candidates to take place before the November 1st date when ballots will be sent out.
Bylaws Consultant
Interested in joining the Board of Directors?
Please contact the CNMA Nominating Committee Chairperson
Sarah Egan, sarahegancnm@gmail.com
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Amita Graham 2023-2027
Amita Graham has worked in Family Child Health professions for over 20 years. She hold an MSN in nursing and an MPH in Maternal Child Health. Her professional roles have included Doula, Health Educator, Early Childhood Health and Nutrition Director, Public Health Consultant, Lactation Consultant, Nurse Practitioner, and Certified Nurse Midwife. Her experience working with national programs aimed at improving health outcomes for families and children, including CenteringPregnancy®, Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, Communities Putting Prevention to Work, Head Start, and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs. She is honored to serve as President of the California Nurse Midwives Association (CNMA) for the 2023-2027 term, supporting policy and practice in women’s health and midwifery care in California and nationwide. She finds joy in working with diverse populations and has a special interest in improving health outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). As a BIPOC person, she understands the importance of racially concordant care. She strives to bring a humble approach to the communities she serves. Her goal is to improve health outcomes for families and communities in the Bay Area and beyond. She enjoys spending time with my family. She is a proud mother and grandmother. In her free time, she loves cruising around San Francisco Bay in her sailboat. She also enjoys gardening and making herbal teas, salves, and remedies. She likes to cook, dance, and spend quality time with friends. She is happy to be part of the California Nurse Midwives Association and is grateful for the opportunity to serve her community.
Margy Hutchinson
2026-2030
Margy graduated in 1990 from the Yale School of Nursing’s 3-year program and proceeded to spend her career with the Nurse-Midwives of San Francisco General, or SFGH. Her work there included clinical care of a diverse low-income clientele, education of midwifery learners, and leadership for the midwifery service and the perinatal health system at SFGH. Her work has been guided by her passion for systems and programmatic change that address embedded structural barriers to the provision of respectful and equitable care, starting with her early work in establishing the first Centering Pregnancy program in California. Soon after starting Centering at SFGH she was tapped to become a consultant for the Centering Healthcare Institute, a role that took her to diverse clinical settings across the U.S. and gave her extensive expertise in health care systems redesign. These skills were deepened through her participation in the California Health Care Foundation’s two- year leadership fellowship, a program that focuses on developing a cadre of leaders who are focused on improving the health of the population of California and who can learn from and support each other as they carry their work forward. Margy was in leadership roles at SFGH for almost the entirety of her 35-year career, which included outpatient clinic management, budget oversight, strategic planning for the midwifery service and for the larger perinatal service area, and director of Centering programs. In her leadership role she also guided the service through many changes to the group’s self-governance, such as development of the now longstanding group leadership model and improvements to service meeting structure.
Darcy Stanley
2026-2028
Darcy started her Nurse-Midwifery career in 2018 at Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa and joined Oakland Kaiser in 2025 as an attending CNM in the OBGYN residency program. She is proud to use her skills and knowledge to train doctors who will go on to provide safe and respectful care for the rest of their careers. She is also grateful to provide direct midwifery care at other local Kaiser hospitals when her schedule allows. Before graduating from University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) in 2018 she was a community health nurse at Lifelong Medical Care and went on to provide midwifery care there while concurrently working at Kaiser. In 2011, she cofounded Birth Justice Project (BJP), a volunteer doula organization that provided doula support for pregnant people in jails and residential drug treatment centers. In 2014, BJP had the opportunity to partner with Black Women Birthing Justice and UCSF to develop the East Bay Community Birth Support Project, a doula training for people of color. She was also proud to be a nurse researcher with SOLARS, a Preterm Birth Initiative project centering the health and wisdom of Black and Latina families in the aim to reduce preterm birth in the US. Her background in doula work and social justice helped shape the Certified Nurse-Midwife she is today. Darcy grew up in Richmond, CA just a few blocks from where she lives now with her husband, Greg, and two daughters, Sonnie (5) and Bria (2). Getting to do clinic at Richmond and inpatient care in Oakland feels very special to her since she will be getting to care for her neighbors and community. In her free time, Darcy loves being active—CrossFit a few times per week and she recently started playing volleyball again after a 20+ year hiatus! In theory she loves cooking but with two littles, dinner time is mostly chaos these days.
Alma Franco-Flores
2026-2028
Alma Franco-Flores is a financial analyst at UCSF’s Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health within the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences. She manages a diverse portfolio of federal and state awards that support research on topics including abortion, HIV/STIs, and contraception. Prior to joining UCSF, Alma was a financial analyst at Stanford University, where she oversaw funds from sponsors in the technology and pharmaceutical sectors. She brings experience collaborating with program managers, healthcare professionals, and funders, and is committed to communicating financial information in a clear and accessible way for a range of audiences. Alma is interested in joining CNMA because of its strong commitment to activism and advocacy, particularly in expanding access and awareness for BIPOC and rural communities—communities she is proud to be part of. Before graduating from University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) in 2018 she was a community health nurse at Lifelong Medical Care and went on to provide midwifery care there while concurrently working at Kaiser. In 2011, she cofounded Birth Justice Project (BJP), a volunteer doula organization that provided doula support for pregnant people in jails and residential drug treatment centers. In 2014, BJP had the opportunity to partner with Black Women Birthing Justice and UCSF to develop the East Bay Community Birth Support Project, a doula training for people of color. She was also proud to be a nurse researcher with SOLARS, a Preterm Birth Initiative project centering the health and wisdom of Black and Latina families in the aim to reduce preterm birth in the US. Her background in doula work and social justice helped shape the Certified Nurse-Midwife she is today. Darcy grew up in Richmond, CA just a few blocks from where she lives now with her husband, Greg, and two daughters, Sonnie (5) and Bria (2). Getting to do clinic at Richmond and inpatient care in Oakland feels very special to her since she will be getting to care for her neighbors and community. In her free time, Darcy loves being active—CrossFit a few times per week and she recently started playing volleyball again after a 20+ year hiatus! In theory she loves cooking but with two littles, dinner time is mostly chaos these days.
Ali Kanat
2026-2029
Ali Kanat is a midwife, mother, and outdoor enthusiast based in Northern California. For the past six years, she has served the rural communities of Mendocino and Lake Counties through her work at the Mendocino Community Health Clinics and Adventist Health Ukiah Valley. She is committed to expanding access to midwifery care and values collaborative practice with a dedicated team of OBGYNs to support a high-risk and diverse patient population. Beyond clinical care, Ali is engaged in health equity and reproductive justice initiatives. During her midwifery training in Portland, she both participated in and facilitated a health equity course, and she has been involved in legislative advocacy efforts in Oregon and California, including state lobby days. She currently serves on the interdisciplinary People’s Care Council, a committee focused on reducing barriers to care and improving patient access within her clinic system. Ali is passionate about policy, advocacy, and systems-level change in reproductive healthcare. She looks forward to further contributing to and learning from the important work being advanced by the California Nurse-Midwives Association (CNMA).
Sally McNally
2026-2029
Sally McNally has spent over 30 years working in the labor room both as a midwife and as a labor and delivery RN. Sally brings a wealth of information and experience to the patients she serves. Her goal is to work with her patients to help them achieve a birth experience as close to their dreams as possible. “I believe women are very wise and powerful, I encourage women to embrace that inner wisdom and trust their bodies during childbirth.” Sally originally trained as a nurse and then as a midwife in Ireland. She spent 5 years in Saudi Arabia working as a midwife before coming to the US. She worked as an RN and Charge nurse for 20 years at CMH in Ventura. Recently she went back to school earning her DNP, Masters and CNM and WHNP-BC certifications. Sally is also a Certified Hypnotherapist, Certified Yoga Instructor and Certified Childbirth Educator. She blends these gifts together to help prepare women to go confidently into their labor and births. She teaches classes at CMH, New Parent Resource Center and she has a Podcast called “The Bleedin’ Truth” She has recently received a fellowship with The Royal College Surgeons of Ireland Nursing and Midwifery division. (12/25). Sally has one daughter, and she is married to local realtor John McNally.
Lori Link
Communications Committee Chair
Lori brings over 30 years of midwifery experience leading full-scope maternity care across both rural and urban settings, with a career grounded in expanding access to high-quality care in underserved communities. She is a strong advocate for midwifery as an evidence-based solution to addressing critical maternal, newborn, and women’s health needs—particularly in rural areas where access gaps are most acute. Guided by her enduring principle, “Listen to women,” she brings a community-centered, outcomes-focused perspective to rural health policy and system design.
Paris Maloof-Bury
Continuing Education Committee Chair
Paris Maloof-Bury is a Certified Nurse-Midwife in Davis, California, where she leads a collaborative practice of midwives and physicians, and is midwifery department chair for Sutter Medical Group. She has been serving families in various capacities since 2005, both at the bedside and in the board room. She is immediate past president of the California Nurse-Midwives Association, and over the course of her career has had the privilege of serving alongside healthcare professionals and advocates in various capacities with the American College of Nurse Midwives, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the Association of Women’s Health and Neonatal Nursing (AWHONN), and the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC), as well as various breastfeeding coalitions and maternal mental health coalitions. Paris believes that everyone deserves respectful, evidence-based care, and works tirelessly to shape the culture, policies, and paradigms that determine the care we deliver and receive.
Liz Donnelly
Legislative Action and Advocacy Committee Chair
Liz is a midwife (CNM). She graduated with a Masters from UCSF in 2015. She currently practices full scope midwifery with Alameda County Health Systems and Kaiser Permanente in the Diablo service area. As a midwife, she is committed to partnering with the people she serves to understand, articulate and embody their own truth in the context of their reproductive healthcare. In addition to providing clinical care Liz is Chair of the California Nurse Midwives Association (CNMA) Legislative Action and Advocacy Committee and co-lead of Midwifery Access California. She approaches her health policy and clinical work from a foundation in reproductive justice - recognizing that all people have the human right to decide if, when, where, and with whom to have children, and to parent any children they have in safe and healthy communities - and she works actively to create the material changes required to ensure these rights are realized.
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Holly Smith
Legislative Coordinator
Holly Smith is a Certified Nurse-Midwife with extensive experience in women’s health policy and program development in both domestic and international settings. She completed her midwifery training at Georgetown University in 2000 and practiced as a full-scope midwife for 17 years. She earned a Master of Public Health in 2013 and is currently pursuing a Master of Studies in Law at UC Law San Francisco and a doctorate in midwifery at Thomas Jefferson University. As a midwifery policy consultant for the last 11 years, Holly works with community organizations, nonprofits, and public health entities to advance midwifery integration in California, including partnerships with the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) as the project lead for the Community Birth Partnership Initiative. She is also co-lead of Midwifery Access California, a statewide collaborative working to expand access to midwife-led care for Medi- Cal beneficiaries. Holly serves as Legislative Coordinator for the California Nurse-Midwives Association, where she supports and advances legislation to improve perinatal outcomes.
Ali Kanat
Membership Committee Chair
Ali Kanat is a midwife, mother, and outdoor enthusiast based in Northern California. For the past six years, she has served the rural communities of Mendocino and Lake Counties through her work at the Mendocino Community Health Clinics and Adventist Health Ukiah Valley. She is committed to expanding access to midwifery care and values collaborative practice with a dedicated team of OBGYNs to support a high-risk and diverse patient population. Beyond clinical care, Ali is engaged in health equity and reproductive justice initiatives. During her midwifery training in Portland, she both participated in and facilitated a health equity course, and she has been involved in legislative advocacy efforts in Oregon and California, including state lobby days. She currently serves on the interdisciplinary People’s Care Council, a committee focused on reducing barriers to care and improving patient access within her clinic system. Ali is passionate about policy, advocacy, and systems-level change in reproductive healthcare. She looks forward to further contributing to and learning from the important work being advanced by the California Nurse-Midwives Association (CNMA).