About Us
DEI offers an integrative approach with evidence-based education that is inclusive of all beliefs, cultures, lifestyles, and philosophies.
Mission Statement
DEI strives to increase the quality of prenatal, birth and postpartum support by promoting excellent Doula Training and continuing education and mutual support to our students, which cultivates the growth of individual doulas, as well as the collective profession.
DEI strives to foster the relationships between doulas, health care providers and all members of the birth community.
Diversity & Inclusivity Statement
DEI is committed to embracing the presence and contributions of all persons regardless of age, culture, abilities, bodies, ethnic origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, nationality, race, religion, or socioeconomic status. We believe that prejudice, oppression, and discrimination are detrimental to our profession, perinatal care and our community.
At its core, DEI values inclusiveness and the creation of a safe and welcoming space for all our members and professionals, as well as those who we support.
Meet Our Trainers
Come and learn from the industry experts and receive your certification immediately after the training.
Shakila M.
Postpartum Doula Training & Infant Sleep Consultant Training Educator
Shakila Marando is the founder of Doula Educational Institute (DEI). She is a Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula, Evergreen Perinatal Breastfeeding Educator(CLE), New Parent Educator, Trained Infant Massage Educator through Infant Massage USA, and Infant Sleep Specialist. She has spent over 40,000 hours nurturing babies and caring for young children. Helping families flourish with their newborn is her passion, and her practice is undoubtedly recognized as one of the Bay Area's leading doula companies. Shakila has parenting educational videos that have been viewed by hundreds of thousands of families on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn platforms.
Brandi F.
Advanced Lactation Training Educator
Brandi is a pediatric nurse, a postpartum doula, as well as an international board-certified lactation consultant. She is a proud member of the International Lactation Consultant Association, United States Lactation Consultant Association, as well as the Bay Area Lactation Consultants. Brandi is the mother of four children who overcame her own personal challenges in breastfeeding. This is why she decided to go into the practice of becoming an international board-certified lactation consultant. Brandi believes that many families need support and a safe place to go to for help without feeling judged in their feeding journey.
Samsarah M.
Birth Doula Training Educator
Samsarah Morgan is the Mother of 5 sons and the grandmother of three. She has been a doula for over 40 years and has served over 1000 births. She has trained bay area doulas for over 20 and written for several publications and is the author of the Birth Plan”. Her new book Birth A Black Woman's Guide to Surviving and Thriving is expected in the Spring of 2020. Samsarah serves on the Board of the Pacific family Fund which supports reproductive choice for families wishing to birth at the Bay Areas Pacific Maternity Center.Samsarah is an apprentice midwife studying under midwives Laura Perez LM CPM and Judy Luce LM CPM, she is a student of The National School of Midwifery.
Interested in being the best doula you can be?
DEI strives to increase the quality of prenatal, birth and postpartum support by promoting excellent doula training and continuing education and mutual support to our students.
About DEI
Doula Educational Institute (DEI) offers an integrative approach with evidence-based doula education that is inclusive of all beliefs, cultures, lifestyles, and philosophies.