welcome to the parent collective, we’re happy to have you here.
The Parent Collective is a vibrant community offering comprehensive classes and resources for new and expecting parents in select American cities and online worldwide. Our series, led by experienced nurses and midwives, covers all essential aspects of prenatal and postpartum education—from labor relaxation techniques to new baby care and beyond. In addition to free resources for members, we provide Zoom classes for those unable to attend our in-person sessions. Thoughtfully designed to support mothers and fathers through the many transitions of parenthood, our classes and coaching sessions offer guidance on everything from delivery preparation to new baby care.
this is why we do
what we do.
The Parent Collective was founded by Jessica Hill, inspired by her personal experience during pregnancy. While expecting her first child in the UK, Jessica, an American woman, felt anxious about being far from her family support system. Her friends recommended a prenatal class series called The NCT, which was organized by neighborhood and due date. This structure allowed couples to form support networks before their babies were born, proving invaluable to Jessica during her pregnancy.
creating supportive communities is our goal.
Realizing how crucial it was to build a community before the baby’s arrival, Jessica recognized a gap in support for parents, especially after the baby is born. The Parent Collective strives to fill this gap by bringing together expectant parents with similar due dates in the same city, fostering a support system when it matters most. By connecting parents-to-be before their babies arrive, The Parent Collective ensures that new parents have a ready-made community to lean on, share experiences with, and navigate the challenges of parenthood together. This focus on early connection and ongoing support is at the heart of The Parent Collective’s mission to make the journey into parenthood less isolating and more empowering.
meet our founder
The Parent Collective was founded by Jessica Hill as a result of her personal experience during pregnancy. Jessica was pregnant with her first child in the UK, and as an American woman, she began to feel anxious that she was going to have her baby so far away from family support. Her friends suggested that she register for a prenatal class series called The NCT, which was organized by neighborhood and due date — allowing all couples to form support networks prior to their babies being born. This series of classes proved invaluable to her and her husband during pregnancy and new parenthood.
Now, Jessica hopes to create a similar community for expectant parents with The Parent Collective.
meet our
advisory board
Our advisors are voices we trust in obstetrics, maternal mental health and family supports to help guide us as we grow
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Dr Shieva Ghofrany strives to help people eliminate their fear by being “proactive not paranoid” about their health. An OBGYN since 1999 and co-creator of TRIBE CALLED V, her intention is to “increase our knowledge to decrease our anxiety”.
Having travailed 6 miscarriages, 3 births, endometriosis, weight loss surgery AND ovarian cancer, she’s harnessed her personal experience coupled with her professional observations to GENUINELY help achieve a calmer perspective. She loves engaging with women on every level to guide them realistically in their quest for understanding of their bodies and minds.
What started as an endeavor to connect with other women on Instagram (now with over 65K followers) led to multiple consulting and speaking engagements live and virtually. As well she is frequently quoted in online publications such as Self, Huffington Post, and Parents where she discusses an array of women’s issues. Perhaps most prevalent is the request for her to address the mindset of fear surrounding health issues in general and cancer in particular, given her own experience with ovarian cancer and the surgeries and chemotherapy they required. She has been listed on Top Doctors with Castle Connolly for years and she has also been featured on Verywell.com, WebMD, and in the PBS series now on Netflix “HUMAN: the World Within” which have satisfied her long term pipe-dream of becoming a talk show host;)
While still delivering babies and taking care of pregnant people with her group practice in Connecticut, she also has her own private midlife telehealth practice where she serves to help guide and “strategize” women through this stretch of their life.
Through her work as a doctor in private practice as well as through her courses in integrative health—she’s used her education, clinical experience AND personal journey to highlight the mindset she believes we all NEED to tackle our views of our bodies. She often notes how lucky she feels to have had hands-on experience with women of ALL backgrounds to inform her of the female condition.
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Shirley Griffith earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The College of New Rochelle in New Rochelle, NY. She worked at Yale New Haven Hospital for 10 years, initially as a Maternity staff nurse and for nine years as a Labor and Delivery Nurse and Assistant Nurse Manager. Subsequently, Shirley attended graduate school at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN and graduated with her Master’s Degree in Critical Care Obstetrics. Additionally, she pursued a Post-Master’s training at Vanderbilt University to become a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. Shirley has worked as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner at Maternal Fetal Care, PC since 1996. Amongst her many responsibilities are managing the pre-conceptual consultations; conducting the initial prenatal visit; and providing nutritional counseling during pregnancy. She is the mom of two teenage daughters and a Shi-chon named Luna. Her favorite free-time activity is baking.
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Erin O’Connor is a Professor in Teaching and Learning at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, and Program Leader for Early Childhood. She is also Chief of Education at Cooper and co-founder of Nested where her research explores the roles of social interactions in development with the aim of designing systems that better support children and families. She is also a member of the Board of All Parents Welcome.
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Jessie Paquette is a content creator, entrepreneur, and founder of Dream Baby Names, a consultancy dedicated to helping new parents find the perfect names for their little ones. Jessie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations with a concentration in Social Media, a foundation that has fueled her passion for storytelling, community building, and connection in the digital space.
What began as a baby name consulting account soon grew into a vibrant online community where Jessie connects with mothers navigating the early stages of parenthood. Through her platforms, she offers honest conversations about mental health, identity shifts, and the importance of finding your tribe in motherhood.
Jessie believes that motherhood should come with a manual—and that support systems should be easy to find. Her mission is to create spaces that make new moms feel seen, supported, and less alone in the uncharted territory of parenthood.
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Ali Caravella is an executive leadership, career, and business coach and the founder of Intersection Coaching. With a background in consulting, HR leadership, and recruiting strategy, Ali brings over a decade of corporate experience to her coaching practice, where she supports women, caregivers, and mission-driven leaders at key career and life intersections. She is a certified health and leadership coach, the co-creator of Eve Rodsky's Fair Play Method certification program, and a passionate advocate for working moms. As a mother of two and a longtime Stamford, CT resident, Ali is deeply committed to creating more supportive pathways for parents before, during, and after parental leave.
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Anna is honoured to join the board of the Parent Collective. A new parent herself, she experienced the tremendous benefit of participating in a Parent Collective cohort. Anna is passionate about women’s health and teaches pre and postnatal yoga and meditation. She also has a career as an actor, producer and writer, with a comedy TV series she co-stars in and co-created, airing in Canada, called Nesting, about building an unconventional family. Anna hopes to support the vital work that the Parent Collective performs. www.annahardwick.com
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Monica Banks is the founder of Gugu Guru and Mom Creators, two pioneering platforms that connect mom-focused brands with a community of influential and entrepreneurial moms. With over 25 years of experience in brand strategy, influencer marketing, and community building, Monica is passionate about helping moms thrive in the creator economy. She brings a unique blend of business acumen and heart to every project, empowering women to grow purpose-driven businesses without sacrificing themselves or their families.
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A Stamford, CT native and first-time mom to baby boy Marco, Jaclyn has been a professional fitness and dance instructor for over 16 years. She and her husband, Vincent, joined The Parent Collective as expectant parents in May 2025 and found the experience invaluable—gaining knowledge, confidence, and a strong community of friends who supported them through the newborn stage and beyond. Grateful for that support, Jaclyn is excited to give back as a member of the advisory board and help other new parents feel prepared and connected.
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Frederick Van Riper is a leadership coach and founder of Seat at the Table Coaching & Consulting, where he helps growth-oriented leaders, partners, and parents connect more deeply with themselves and each other through transformational self-exploration. After an 11-year career managing multimillion-dollar construction projects, Fred discovered that real leadership happens through connection, not control. He now guides executives, founders, and emerging leaders through the foundational inner work that creates lasting change in how they lead, connect, and create. As one of only four male Fair Play Facilitators certified worldwide, Fred brings a vital voice to supporting parents as they navigate the complexities of modern partnership and parenthood. He lives in Central NY with his wife and their two children.
meet our
location directors
Our location directors organize and run the local classes, the teachers themselves will vary.
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Caroline is a certified nurse midwife and mom to one baby boy. She enjoys educating parents on their choices in childberth, thus empowering them to step into parenthood with confidence! She is expanding classes further into Westchester County so reach out if you have ideas!
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Sarah is a mom of 3 young boys, who longed for the support & friendship of other moms during those early years with her first. When she came across TPC back in 2019 she knew that she had to get involved to help other new parents fill that void. Alongside looking after 3 dogs, 2 horses, 12 chickens and three boys, Sarah runs our prenatal & postpartum classes in Ridgefield CT & Hartsdale NY.
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Chloe is a women’s health nurse practitioner originally from CT. She moved to the Seattle area 8 years ago and loves the evergreen state. Practicing in the South Seattle area directly with pregnant families, she realized the lack of support and resources for new parents! So many couples are transplants from other states without family and friends, and could benefit from a support system. Knowing this exact support and educated existed in CT, she sought to bring it to Washington in the hope more parents can avoid undesirable events and postpartum depression/anxiety! She is thrilled to help make this possible and hopes to see you there!
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Ria Savoy is a native of Trinidad and Tobago and a highly trained Newborn Care Specialist (NCS), certified birth and postpartum doula, and certified sleep consultant with an extensive background in childcare. With a career spanning 25 years, Ria has supported over 100 families across the United States, providing care for children ranging from newborns to teenagers.
Ria’s dedication to her craft and her warm, nurturing nature make her a valuable asset to the families she serves. Her commitment often leads to lasting relationships, with families inviting her back to support them through the births of their second and third children.
Ria offers comprehensive support from the prenatal stage through postpartum. She guides expecting parents by preparing them for birth, establishing newborn care plans, and providing emotional and practical support during labor. Her postpartum services include hands-on newborn care, sleep training guidance, and helping parents adjust to life with a new baby. Ria’s holistic approach ensures families feel supported, confident, and well-rested during this transformative period.
Her passion for fostering a warm and nurturing environment helps create a successful and positive experience for the entire family, promoting well-being for both parents and children alike.
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My mission is to support new mothers as they transition into motherhood. As a dedicated doula, wife and mother of two I'm passionate about helping moms navigate common challenges and building community. After giving birth in 2022, to my first baby I saw a huge gap in how accessible quality education and support was being provided to expectant parents so I decided to play a part in closing that gap.
I believe in the power of education and creating spaces where women feel that their voices are heard and their desires when it comes to birth and parenting are being recognized. With a background in family sciences and counseling, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every birthing experience.
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Khaki is a speech-language pathologist and certified neonatal therapist who has spent the past decade working with moms who needed support feeding their babies. She is the mom to an amazing baby girl, and it was through her own pregnancy journey that she realized the power of community and connection in motherhood. Khaki is passionate about providing inclusive, judgment-free spaces for new parents to feel seen, supported, and empowered as they navigate their own parenting journeys.
She believes strongly in honoring each family's unique story and parenting choices. Her approach combines professional expertise with heartfelt empathy, creating supportive communities where parents feel safe asking questions, sharing experiences, and finding encouragement every step of the way.
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I was born and raised in Europe but chose the U.S. as the place to build a family and raise my three children. My third pregnancy sparked my passion for supporting women through their motherhood journeys. After living in Minnesota for over 10 years and working in finance, I made the decision to move to the East Coast and pursue my calling as a birth doula. I am deeply committed to helping mothers during one of the most transformative times of their lives, ensuring they feel educated, heard, and empowered in their decisions.
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Courtney Hart is a Certified Nurse Midwife, former Labor & Delivery RN, certified lactation counselor, childbirth educator, and mom of two, originally from CT.
Throughout her professional career and midwifery training, she has helped folks welcome their babies in all places where babies are born, and as a midwife, firmly believes in every individual’s right to culturally-attuned, equitable, and respectful care.
She’s thrilled to be working with TPC to support expectant parents in their journeys, aiming to help them feel both joyful and prepared as they get ready to welcome their little ones earthside.
incredibly honored to be a part of that intimate and precious season.
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Megan is a multi-certified Health and Life Coach empowering moms to create greater work/life balance. When Megan had her son in 2019, she felt incredibly isolated and lonely wishing she had a community of mom friends with new babies she could relate to in real time.
As an advocate for moms with a core value of leaving our corners of the world better than we found them, when Megan learned about TPC, she knew she needed to get involved.
Megan loves watching women gain confidence in themselves and supporting them through some of life's most challenging seasons.
In her spare time, Megan loves spending time with her husband, their son and two dogs in Lehigh Valley, PA. She also enjoys working out, gardening, the great outdoors, traveling and cooking.
She can't wait to support the moms of Lehigh Valley in their pregnancy and postpartum journeys!
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Christine is a birth & postpartum doula and mom of two boys. She is passionate about helping new parents find their footing and supporting them as they make the best choices for themselves & their baby. She is located in Saratoga Springs, New York and excited to bring The Parent Collective’s evidence-based prenatal classes to the area!
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Claudia is born and raised in Philadelphia! She is trained as a postpartum, birth and bereavement doula and had was a childbirth educator at The Birth Center in Bryn Mawr, teaching the introductory “are we a good fit for you” Seminar, a four-week series of birth classes, First Days at Home, Childbirth Refresher and The Fourth Trimester. Setting up families to succeed, encouraging them and helping to build their confidence is where Claudia enjoys serving the most. She loves to hold space with new parents, whether they are seasoned or brand new, and feels
incredibly honored to be a part of that intimate and precious season.
When Claudia is not busy being a birth worker, you can find her working on home improvement projects, gardening, reading, hiking back the Wissahickon, painting houses, baking, beach-combing, traveling and being a mom to her three grown guys and her two daughters in love…who are her world. This past summer her family expanded with her first grandchild.
Claudia is an active member of Epiphany Fellowship in North Philly and spends a lot of Kme in Ngong, Kenya, where she and some close friends have started an NGO called Tuko Pamoja. Their non-profit sets up porridge programs in schools, sponsorships for individual children, teaches self-defense to women and girls and the team is starting to work with young men, proactively, fighting against GBV. Now and then the Tuko Pamoja team even has a chance to go on safari and have all completed their “Big Five”. As a lover and connector of people, Claudia is looking forward to joining her friend Ria in becoming location directors for Philly and the outlying suburbs.
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I was drawn to the TPC team as a Labor & Delivery Nurse myself seeking resources to pass along to new parents. I loved that all the classes were evidence-based. Additionally the incredible emphasis on community to foster building relationships. Which I have seen first hand how a good support system can have a positive impact on postpartum outcomes.
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Erica is a mother of two girls. After experiencing isolation and postpartum anxiety following the birth of her first child, and then finding community following the birth of her second, she became passionate about supporting parents along their journey.
Erica currently runs her company’s working moms mentorship program and is looking forward to supporting new parents in the Greater Seattle area!
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Lexa was a labor and delivery nurse for eight years in both New Jersey and New York before taking the leap into Midwifery. As a Certified Nurse Midwife with a background in public health, she aims to intertwine the science with the person. Lexa has a focus on patient-centered care and shared decision making, as well as empowerment through education. Advocacy and evidence-based care are at the forefront of her goals as she helps families prepare for pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
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Kelly is a mom of 2 based in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. She is an ICF-Certified Leadership and Executive Coach. After 15 years in the corporate world focused on strategy and innovation, she recently left to create Stork & Spark, a coaching and community-building organization focused on supporting working parents navigate pregnancy, leave, and return to work. She is excited to join the Parent Collective as a location director, bringing community and evidence based approaches to new parents.