The Hearts Behind The Circle
The Founders
Elisa Havens-Stokes
Co-Founder | Executive Director
Elisa Havens-Sokes is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Circle Family Center, where she leads with a deep commitment to equity, community care, and whole-family wellness. With over a decade of experience as a doula, childbirth educator, and perinatal support specialist, Elisa’s work is rooted in walking alongside families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum journey.
Her path into birth work is deeply personal, shaped by her own lived experiences and a passion for ensuring that all families—especially those from underserved communities—have access to compassionate, culturally responsive care. Elisa is especially dedicated to supporting maternal mental health, strengthening community-based care models, and building systems that allow families to feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Kim Guiley
Co-Founder | CBE Instructor
Advisory Board
Terri Williams, PhD
Britta Patterson
Britta is a birth worker and mother with over 15 years of experience in child development and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Her own birth experience inspired her path into birthwork, where she is passionate about supporting families through pregnancy, postpartum, and loss. She previously served as co-manager at The Circle Family Center and continues to lead Infant Enrichment classes, remaining deeply connected to the community she supports.
Dr. Terry is a leadership coach and organizational development expert with extensive experience working across nonprofit, educational, and corporate sectors both nationally and internationally. She specializes in transformational leadership, communication, and collaborative group processes. With a PhD in Leadership and a lifelong commitment to service, Terry is passionate about empowering individuals and communities to grow, connect, and lead with purpose.
Marlene Kleffel
Brenda Ehle
Marlene is a Full Spectrum Doula, educator, photographer, and co-manager at The Circle Family Center. As a mother, she brings a deeply personal understanding of the highs and challenges of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She is passionate about supporting families with compassion, empowerment, and community-centered care.
Brenda is a bilingual caregiver, mother, and aspiring birthworker with over 10 years of experience supporting families as an interpreter, nanny, and caregiver. Now raising her own growing family, she is passionate about empowering parents and expanding access to care within underserved and Latinx communities. She looks forward to continuing her journey through doula training and supporting families with culturally rooted care.
Caroline Tien
Caroline is a public health professional and parent with a strong commitment to perinatal justice, maternal mental health, and equitable, community-centered care. She brings experience in data-informed strategy and program evaluation and is passionate about supporting organizations that uplift underserved families. She is excited to contribute to The Circle’s thoughtful and sustainable growth.
Diana Narva
Allison became part of The Circle Family Center community in 2022 as a new parent and quickly found a sense of connection and support. Inspired by her experience, she began teaching classes in 2023 and now serves on the advisory board. She is passionate about helping The Circle grow and continue supporting families.
Allison Dunham
Kyriea Geigrich
Kyriea is a local business owner, mother, and longtime advocate for underserved communities in Santa Cruz County. With over a decade of experience supporting low-income families through nonprofit work, community organizing, and event coordination, she is deeply committed to expanding access to care and resources. Kyriea is passionate about giving back to the community that raised her and supporting families facing similar challenges.
Allison became part of The Circle Family Center community in 2022 as a new parent and quickly found a sense of connection and support. Inspired by her experience, she began teaching classes in 2023 and now serves on the advisory board. She is passionate about helping The Circle grow and continue supporting families.
Stephanie Budka
Laura Casasayas
Stephanie is an early childhood education leader with over a decade of experience and a background in program leadership and higher education. As a new parent, she has experienced the care and connection of The Circle firsthand and is passionate about supporting families during the early years. She is committed to advancing accessible, community-centered resources for children and caregivers.
Laura connected with The Circle Family Center during her pregnancy and has since built both personal and professional roots within the community, including establishing her prenatal acupuncture practice. As an immigrant, she values the sense of belonging and connection The Circle provides. With a bilingual, bicultural background and a deep commitment to family and community wellness, Laura is honored to support The Circle’s mission and impact.
Marcia Connelly
Marcia has been a longtime advocate for women’s and girls’ mental and physical well-being, with experience supporting individuals in domestic violence shelters, group homes, and youth programs. Her commitment to perinatal and postpartum advocacy is deeply informed by both her professional background and personal experience. Already working in collaboration with The Circle, she is excited to deepen that connection and support families in the community.
Jennifer Stanford
Jennifer connected with The Circle Family Center as a parent and found a deep sense of community and support for both herself and her child. She is excited to give back by becoming more involved and brings a diverse range of skills and experiences to support The Circle’s continued growth.
Tiffany is a psychiatrist serving families in the local community, with a strong focus on perinatal mental health. After becoming a parent, she experienced the value of The Circle firsthand and has since become a consistent advocate, referring many of her patients for additional support. She is passionate about the role of community in postpartum well-being and is honored to give back to a resource that has supported both her and the families she serves.
Claudia Peixoto
Tiffany Chan
Claudia has been part of The Circle Family Center community since becoming a mom in 2022, attending workshops and yoga classes. She is a Health Educator at Cabrillo College and a strong advocate for mental and public health. She is excited to support The Circle’s continued growth and expand her impact in serving families in the community.
Core Staff
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April Flynn Hartzell
Care Coordinator | Group Facilitator
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Joss Ferguson (They/Them)
Program Assistant | Group Facilitator
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Rachelle Anglin
Front Desk | Group Facilitator
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Fatima Sanchez
Student Intern (UCSC)
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Danielle Libbey
Parent Helper
Instructors