Meet the SHINE Leadership

Autumn’s Mom & SHINE Act Lead

Stillbirth advocacy was not part of Debbie’s master plan, but on July 8, 2011, her life irrevocably changed the moment her daughter Autumn was born still—and her life has never been the same since. Unfortunately, Debbie is no stranger to loss. Prior to Autumn’s death, Debbie had suffered through several maternal health complications and two previous miscarriages. But once she lost Autumn, enough was enough. She needed to find a way to give her family’s heartbreaking tragedy a purpose, not only for herself but for Autumn and all the babies that are lost too soon.

Debbie has since become a powerful stillbirth advocate at both the state and national level. She has been working tirelessly over the past 11 years to improve stillbirth outcomes and to raise much-needed awareness around this tragically taboo issue. She has developed and championed multiple pieces of legislation, including the SHINE for Autumn Act. Because in the end, losing tens of thousands of babies every year shouldn’t be acceptable or the norm.

Email: Debbie@dlh-associates.com

State Star Lead

Allie is a California native and a mother to three. Besides being in the middle of a pandemic, her first pregnancy was perfect. As a healthy 28 year old she never dreamed something could go wrong, especially after that daunting 13 week mark. But at nearly 32 weeks Allie was blindsided to learn that her son Henry Justice Felker (Hank) had died.

This was especially heart wrenching as Allie went to the hospital the day prior for reduced movement and was eventually sent home.

Allie has found peace through advocacy and enjoys using her voice as a way to parent Hank as the Director of Policy for PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy. She has two living children, Octavia Victory (Tavie) and Maximus Valor (Max), who are advocates in training. She looks forward to continuing to push for the SHINE Act by coordinating the efforts of our SHINE Stars.

Email: Allie@pushpregnancy.org

Social Media Lead

Ana is a mother of three who proudly parents her middle son, Owen, who was unexpectedly born still at delivery through her activism and role as Co-Director of Communications of PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy and as part of the Count the Kicks Influencer Advisory Board where she leads targeted efforts to outreach to Latinx/Spanish speaking communities. She’s also helping to spread “Womb Wisdom” on her video podcast/pregnancy advice platform Sacred Birth Circle where she interviews birthing parents and birth workers.

Ana is the lead manager of SHINE’s social media platforms helping to spread awareness and gain support for this critical, life-saving bill. She also supports the website design and updates.

Email: ana@pushpregnancy.org

SHINE Coalition Advocate

Nina experienced the tragedy of stillbirth when her first grandchild – Stella Joy, daughter of her oldest child (Michelle), was born still at full term.

Being thrust unexpectedly into the shock and grief of a preventable loss quickly galvanized Nina and her family into becoming advocates for the issue of stillbirth, and proponents of the SHINE for Autumn Act.

Nina volunteers in support of the SHINE coalition’s overall mission to pass this key piece of change-making legislation, in honor of her granddaughter Stella, and in the hope to avoid this tragedy for future babies and their families.