About the International Doula Life Movement
Mission Statement
International Doula Life Movement Institute nourishes death doulas/end-of-life doulas with ethical, real-world education that invites skill, integrity, and heart — equipping them to meet families with steady, supportive presence in their most vulnerable moments.
Vision Statement
A world where death doulas/ end-of-life care flows with honesty and humanity, doulas are trusted professionals prepared for real families and real thresholds, and IDLM raises the bar for what ethical, congruent doula work can be.
Our Values
Integrity Before Image
We choose ethical practice over popularity. We teach doulas to honor scope, boundaries, and responsibility—because families deserve honesty and trust at the bedside.
Depth Over Shortcuts
This work requires more than inspiration. We value thorough education, critical thinking, and real-world preparation so doulas are truly ready, not just certified.
Humanity at the Center
Every person, family, and story matters. We lead with compassion, cultural humility, and respect for the emotional, spiritual, and lived experiences surrounding death.
Competence with Compassion
Heart and skill belong together. We believe presence must be supported by knowledge, professionalism, and the ability to navigate complex care environments.
Community, Not Competition
We grow together. IDLM fosters collaboration, mentorship, and shared learning—strengthening doulas and the communities they serve.
Changing Communities One Doula At A Time
The International Doula Life Movement Institute (IDLM Institute) was founded to set a higher standard for doula education—one rooted in ethics, real-world preparedness, and human-centered care. We believe that meaningful change in end-of-life care begins with doulas who are not only compassionate, but properly trained, supported, and accountable to the families they serve.
IDLM Institute provides accessible, comprehensive education designed to prepare doulas for the realities of practice. Our signature End-of-Life Doula Certification Program, along with advanced and continuing education across multiple end-of-life disciplines, equips students with the skills, boundaries, and confidence required to serve responsibly in real settings—not just in theory.
Founded by Anna Adams, who brings over 25 years of hospice, crisis, and bedside experience, IDLM is grounded in lived practice. Her background in clinical care, systems navigation, and professional development informs programs that integrate heart with competency and compassion with ethical responsibility.
Our educational team is committed to training well-rounded, ethically grounded doulas through a holistic yet rigorous approach. We prepare students to support individuals and families across diverse end-of-life experiences—while fostering a collaborative learning community that strengthens doulas and the communities they serve.
by IDLM Graduates
(So Far & Counting)
Our Team
The International Doula Life Movement Institute is led by a team of dedicated, actively practicing doulas and professionals with deep roots in end-of-life care, hospice, grief facilitation, chaplaincy, and interdisciplinary support. Our instructors are not only educators—they are currently working doulas who continue to serve patients and families in their own communities.
Collectively, our team has supported hundreds of patients and families through decades of hands-on bedside work. When the years of service across our instructors are combined, IDLM brings over 400 years of real-world, professional experience into the classroom.
Because our faculty is still actively seeing patients and families, our teaching remains current, grounded, and responsive to the realities doulas face today. Students learn from professionals who are navigating present-day systems of care—not theory alone.
This depth allows us to prepare doulas for the ethical, emotional, and practical demands of the work. Our instructors guide with clarity, humility, and accountability, ensuring graduates are not just inspired—but competent, confident, and truly ready to serve.
At IDLM Institute, education and practice are inseparable—because families deserve care that is informed, ethical, and deeply human.
IDLM Executive Team
Anna
Adams
CEO / Founder
End-of-Life Doula Certification Instructor
Certified End-of-Life Doula
She/Her
Alex
Casas
Executive Director
Austin EOL Doula Certification Instructor
Certified End-of-Life Doula
She/Her
Pam
Carter
Assistant Executive Director
Instructor / Creator – Certified Life Planning Specialist Course, Instructor / Creator- 365 This Is Your Life
Founder – Whole Health Advocate Care, Founder – Kettle and Candle, Transition Coach, Death Educator & Doula
She/Her
Penny M.
Clement
Programs, Operations & Partnerships Director
Louisiana Regional Director
Louisiana EOL Doula Certification Instructor/Cancer Doula & Patient Advocate Instructor
Certified End of Life Doula/Cancer Doula/Patient Advocate
She/Her
IDLM Regional Directors
Lee
Ellison
Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice Director
Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice EOL Doula Certification Instructor
Interim Chief Operating Officer, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, End of Life Doula
She/Her
Dr. Qwynn
Galloway-Salazar
Director of Veteran Education & Advanced Doula Practices
End of Life Doula & Educator, Applied Theatre Practitioner
She/Her
Debra Ann
Olveda Gonzalez
Texas Regional Director
She/Her
Tracy
Jaworski-Lucas
Director of Continuing Education
BSN, RN, CHPN – End of Life Education Specialist
She/Her
Dawn
Briskey
Wisconsin Regional Director
End-of-Life Doula Certification Course
She/Her
Alison
Nail-Malone
Arkansas Regional Director
End-of-Life Doula Certification Course
Death Doula, Grief Coach
She/Her
Linda
McDowell
Tennessee Regional Director
End-of-Life Doula Certification Course
Maria
Dunlap
Ohio Regional Director
End-of-Life Doula Certification Course
Robin
Silver
Continuing Education & Program Coordinator
Brooklyn EOL Doula Certification Instructor
Death Doula
She/Her
IDLM Course Instructors
We are proud to offer classes for doulas taught by professionals who are highly experienced in their individual areas of expertise. Our diverse team of instructors are not only passionate about doula education but share our commitment to continuing education in their professional lives as well.
Dierdre Jenkins
West Central Wisconsin Instructor
Certified Conscious Dying Coach
Sacred Passage Death Doula
She/Her
Shaena Whitney
North Dallas EOLD Instructor
Certified Cognitive Behavioral Health Coach
Certified Death Doula
She/They
Kristina Golden
Online Instructor
Certified Pet Doula
Death Educator and Pet Doula
She/Her/They/Them
Linde Carter
Online Instructor
Certified Pet Doula & Grief Doula Specialist
Board Certified Nurse Coach, Certified EOLD, Certified Grief Recovery Coach, & Hospice RN
She/Her
Holly Strelzik
Online Instructor
Certified Grief Doula Specialist
Founder & President, Center for the Heart
She/Her
Melissa Meadow
Online Instructor
Funerals
End of Life Guide, Funeral Consultant, AAS in Mortuary Science
She/Her
Genaro Reyes
Online Instructor
Funerals and Green Burials
Funeral Director, Compassion Funeral Home
He/Him
Mary Anne
Oglesby-Sutherly
Online Instructor
Dementia
Rachel
Voelkers
Online Instructor
Aspen Aman
Online Instructor
Grit to Pearl
Lauren Seely
Online Instructor
LGBTQ & Legacy
Gabby Jimenez
Online Instructor
Pediatrics
Dr. Van Warren
Online Instructor
Aromatherapy & Western Medicine
IDLM Doula Office Staff
The work of the International Doula Life Movement would not be possible without the support of the extended doula community, who bring a diverse wealth of experience and knowledge to our community. These talented doulas offer their time and knowledge to IDLM in a variety of mission-critical roles such as filling in for live class instructors as the need arises, fielding questions from prospective doulas and providing feedback for the IDLM executive team from a variety of unique perspectives.
Ryan Carpenter
Virtual Assistant
Aurora Nibley
Newsletter
Death Doula, Writer
She/Her
Alice Lafferty
Blog Writer
Anyone Can Be A Doula
The International Doula Life Movement is committed to offering affordable resources, support, and cutting-edge training in the fields of doula companion care, doula life planning, and end of life doula support.
We are dedicated to educating and supporting those that choose to answer the call to become a holistic care provider for individuals and families that seek assistance during life’s most difficult events.
The IDLM is an inclusive and welcoming community for individuals seeking doula education, regardless of gender identity, sexuality, religious belief, location, age or unique life circumstances.
