top of page

Our Team

Meet Our Staff

Get to know the dedicated individuals who make up the heart of Pacific Birth Collective. Each member brings unique skills and passion to support our mission of empowering families during the childbirth journey.

Morea Mendoza

Director of Leadership and Operations

Morea joined the PBC team in early 2024, eager to support the organization with her operational strategy experience and multidisciplinary leadership background. Morea graduated with Honors from the University of San Francisco, with a BA in Sociology with an emphasis in Ethnic Studies and is a HANO Fellow. Recently Morea coauthored "Building Systems of Care: Investment in Native Maternal Health Infrastructure" Congressional Policy Briefing and was named HANO's 2025 Emerging Leader.  She is a born-and-raised Maui mother of two, a self-proclaimed “natural birth nerd" and is deeply passionate about empowering other local ‘ohana in their own birth sovereignty by enabling conscious connections between community and diverse birth practitioners.

Sara Cousineau

Director of Finance

Sara brings a unique blend of financial expertise and heart-centered leadership, shaped by over a decade in finance and accounting, alongside four years of experience as a birthworker. With a Bachelor of Commerce and a Graduate Diploma in Accounting from Queen’s University, a CPA designation through CPA Ontario, and a doula certification, her background bridges the corporate world and grassroots community care. Sara is deeply passionate about birth, maternal health, preserving Indigenous knowledge and traditions, and expanding sovereignty and choice within birth spaces. In her role, she is excited to offer a commitment to nurturing financial literacy, fostering collaboration, and creating sustainable systems that support the continued growth and mission of Pacific Birth Collective.

Mariah Strong

Director of Programs and Communications

Mariah is a co-founder of Pacific Birth Collective. She was born and raised in Haiku, and is the daughter of Kadi Mourningstar, a respected elder in the out-of-hospital community.  She is also a student CPM, on track for licensure in Hawai'i, and is on the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) board of directors.  Mariah is passionate about the rites of passage that are initiated around pregnancy, birth and the  postpartum periods. She is active in supporting the education of reproductive health, rights and advocacy within communities. She is the mother of two daughters, Indie and Isla, who were born at home.

Kiʻinaniokalani Kahoʻohanohano

Director of Culture and Outreach

Ki‘i is a cultural practitioner of lomi lomi, La'au lapa'au, ho'oponopono and pale keiki. She apprenticed and practiced with Maui midwives Tina Garzero and Kadi Mourningstar for more than a decade, as well as multiple kupuna before their passing. Ki'i is the founder of Malama Na Pua O Haumea, a former board member of the Hawai'i Home Birth Collective, and a Hawai'i Alliance for Progressive Action - Kuleana Academy Alumni. She was recently awarded the 2025 Women of Excellence Award from the County of Maui, Committee on the Status of Women. 

Ki'i's work is strongly focused on healing multi-generational trauma. As a mother of five home birth babies, she is committed to reproductive justice and advocacy in Hawaiʻi.

Sonya Niess, MPH

Director of Policy and Partnerships

Sonya is a co-founder of Pacific Birth Collective and has served as  board president for many years. She is a practicing doula and childbirth educator since 2006.  Born and raised on Maui, Sonya received her Masters in Public Health, with special emphasis on Maternal Child Health, from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Upon returning home to Maui, Sonya continued her work as a doula, and also worked in both non-profit and private sectors promoting the health and well being of the community, primarily in policy and systems change and in technology. She sits on the board of the Maui Family YMCA, is the Vice Chair of the Committee on the Status of Women - Maui County, is a Ka Ipu Kukui Fellow, and is the mother to four beautiful children, all born at home.

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

810 Kokomo Rd, Suite 240

Haiku, Hi 96708

The information on this web site, including text, graphics, images and information, is for general information purposes only. Pacific Birth Collective makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information contained on or available through this web site, and such information is subject to change without notice. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this web site with other sources, and carefully review all information regarding any care provider, service or treatment. Pacific Birth Collective does not recommend, endorse or make any representation about the efficacy, appropriateness or suitability of any  services, opinions, care providers or other information that may be contained on or available through this web site. Pacific Birth Collective is not responsible nor liable for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or products that obtain through this website. Updated 9-1-22

PBC is a registered 501c(3) non-profit EIN 84-2562504 | © 2025 Pacific Birth Collective 

bottom of page