Jennifer Degl, MS, is the mother of four, including a micro preemie who was born at 23 weeks gestation, and the founder of Speaking for Moms and Babies, Inc. Her mission is to educate the public on maternal and neonatal health issues. She is the author of three books and articles in both the Journal of Pediatrics and Journal of Perinatology, and she is a passionate public speaker. Jennifer is also an active member of the International Neonatal Consortium’s Leadership Team. She serves on the Board of Directors for the NICU Parent Network, and coordinates the NICU parent mentor program at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in New York, called Maria’s Hope. She is also a family representative member on the NIDCAP Federation International Board of Directors. Jennifer has been a high school science teacher for 23 years and believes education is the key to health care reform.

Latoshia Rouse is a family supporter in the NICU. She is a patient partner, birth andpostpartum doula, child birth and lactation educator. Latoshia is a mother of four, including triplets who were born prematurely.

Melissa Johnson, PhD, received her Ph.D. in psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1980, and worked as a pediatric psychologist until her retirement in 2016. She spent thirty years at WakeMed in Raleigh, NC, where she became a NIDCAP trainer and consulted in the NICU as well as in the follow-up clinic and pediatric intensive care services. Since her retirement, she has stayed involved with the NFI through the Quality Assurance Committee, as well as with several advocacy activities supporting the needs of young children in North Carolina. She is a founding member and past president of the North CAroline Infant/Young Child Mental Health Association.