Kellie Edson

Executive Director
Birth Story Listener, Birthing From Within Trained
ICCE Childbirth Educator, Certified Lactation Educator, Certified Postpartum Doula, Registered Yoga Teacher 400+Hrs Training,

Enneagram Coach with more than 175 hours of Enneagram Training

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Kellie a queer, poly, disabled mother of 2 and a fierce advocate for trauma-informed, equitable and holistic birth and postpartum care and building stronger family communities in Sacramento.  She has worked in the birth work field for over 10 years, having worked at two of the big hospital systems in the area prior to and during the early days of The Root’s founding in 2018. She truly believes that we are each other’s village. An enneagram enthusiast, she uses her enneagram coaching knowledge to guide parents into deeper understanding and knowing of themselves and their partners to facilitate softer birthing experiences and postpartum integration. 

Emily Alonso
Chair

CEO/Principal Consultant
Impact Allies LLC

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Emily Alonso is the Principal Consultant and CEO of Impact Allies LLC, a consulting firm that partners with nonprofits to help them grow. With over a decade in nonprofits, Emily brings expertise in education, workforce development, equity-focused program design, and community building to expand access to prenatal and postpartum support. She benefited deeply from the Root’s community during her own journey into motherhood and is dedicated to ensuring more families have the resources they need to thrive.

Jenni Gomez-Haddad, JD
Vice Chair

Attorney & Pro Bono Manager
Legal Services of Northern California

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For more than thirteen years, Jenni Gomez-Hadded has worked in legal aid in Sacramento, guided by a belief in justice, equity, and collaboration. She has represented clients in civil legal matters while also overseeing volunteer and student programming. She is passionate about empowerment and sharing resources that strengthen families—an ethos that connects directly with The Root. She turned to The Root during her own pregnancy and postpartum journey, knows the value of its services, and is grateful to help nurture the organization and community.

Nancy Pryor
Secretary

Non-Profit Grant Consultant

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Nancy Pryor is a grant writing consultant for programs like Meristem, a nature-based program serving young adults on the autism spectrum. With over 15 years in the non-profit sector, Nancy harnesses fundraising and communications to build a more just and equitable world. She has benefited from the community she built at the Root during her pregnancy and hopes to pay it forward to more families during their transition into parenthood. 

Aspen Cloud, CPA
Treasurer

ACT Director
Gilbert CPAs

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Aspen Cloud is the ACT Director at Gilbert CPAs and the Treasurer for the Root. She was an auditor for over a decade at Gilbert prior to managing Gilbert’s accounting services department. Aspen received her bachelors of art in business with an emphasis in accounting from Chico State. The Root was beneficial to her family and she is proud to share her financial management expertise to the organization.

Aly Kowalski
Director / Volunteer Coordinator

Experience Manager
Sacramento History Museum

Aly Kowalski works as the Experience Manager at the Sacramento History Museum, a local nonprofit seeking to explore Sacramento's past, reveal its people, and share their stories. With over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, Aly specializes in education, volunteer development, and building community initiatives that enhance awareness and advocacy. As a Sacramento transplant, Aly deeply values the village the Root provides and is committed to helping expand access to this vital resource for growing families.

Gurleen Roberts, DrPH
Director / Marketing Lead

Public Health Program Manager
County of Sacramento

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Gurleen Roberts, DrPH brings over a decade of leadership in public health and is currently managing equity, health education, and accreditation programs at Sacramento County Public Health. She has led large teams and multi-million-dollar initiatives to strengthen equity and community health. After having her baby, she found her mom support group through the Root, which has been instrumental in her journey as a parent. She is honored to serve as Board Secretary and give back by helping other new parents find the same community and support.