Amy Kohl

Director, Advocacy & Government Affairs

Amy M. Kohl is ACNM’s Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs. In this capacity, Amy is responsible for leading the development and implementation of ACNM’s federal and state policy agenda in alignment with ACNM’s strategic plan. A core focus of her work is identifying and maximizing opportunities for integration of midwives and midwifery-led care models throughout the care continuum. Prior to joining the ACNM, Amy spent over a decade with the Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA) lobbying for policy issues impacting our nation’s medical products supply chain and distribution channels. Prior to joining HIDA, Amy worked for a state government relations consulting firm and also spent time working for a national political campaign committee.

With 20 years of experience in national health policy and state affairs, Amy also has a personal connection to ACNM’s mission, as midwives in Washington, D.C. attended the births of both of her children. A native of the Northern Neck of Virginia, Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Politics from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

Karen Jefferson, CM, DM, FACNM

Director, Professional Practice and Policy

Karen Jefferson, CM, DM, FACNM, is the Director of Professional Practice and Policy for the American College of Nurse-Midwives. She is ACNM's resource on midwifery practice, working with government affairs and domestic development to advance the profession. She is the principal investigator on two domestic grants, acts as a liaison to stakeholder groups, and supports the volunteers in the Division of Midwifery Advancement and the Division of Research. She works with volunteers and staff to build out ACNM's education offerings - webinars and workshops online.

She comes to ACNM as a full-scope midwifery practice owner for 17 years, and a recent stint as program coordinator for the doctorate in midwifery at the Midwifery Institute at Jefferson. This position is Karen’s opportunity to merge all her interests: midwifery workforce, education, practice, and advocacy.

Stormee Bailey, MPH

Program Manager, Access to Equity in Midwifery Education and Care Project

Stormee received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology & Sociology and Public Health and graduated in 2020 from Emory University with a Master of Public Health degree focusing on behavioral, social, and health education sciences. Stormee is passionate about maternal and child health and healthcare accessibility for low-income and minority individuals. In her previous roles, she has worked on projects focusing on decreasing maternal mortality among black women in Georgia and vaccine equity for minority populations both domestically and internationally.

Stormee is a new mom and enjoys spending time with her family and reading whenever she has the chance.

Gina Graham

Director, Strategic Partnerships

As the new Director, Strategic Partnerships, Gina is the staff liaison between ACNM and A.C.N.M. Foundation, working to ensure efficient collaboration between ACNM and its fiscal agent for any funding opportunities that require Foundation collaboration and pursue, manage, and implement high end donor opportunities that advance shared goals of ACNM and the Foundation. She oversees the Industry Partner Program, state affiliate funding opportunities, and some grant management. Gina originally joined ACNM as the Manager of Global and Domestic Development. Before ACNM, Gina spent six years as an independent consultant in grant development where she earned $1.7 million in grants for small and large non-profits in the health care and social service arenas. Prior to consulting, Gina worked at GE Healthcare, developing global grant opportunities in maternal and infant care technology for low-resource settings, and spent time in India, Thailand, and Vietnam. Gina also previously worked for a non-profit healthcare delivery system serving eastern Wisconsin and led a cross-system grant development team that secured $8.5 million in grants and contracts.

Gina has a BA in Sociology from the University of Denver and is in process of completing an Executive MPH from the University of Minnesota. After living in Wisconsin for 30 years, Gina has recently returned to her home state of Colorado where she resides in the Denver area. She enjoys gardening, camping, traveling, and spending time with her three adult children and three grandchildren.

Melissa Avery, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN

Editor-in-Chief

Directs the content, focus, strategic development and operations of JMWH, the official journal of ACNM.

Laura Bolte

Managing Editor

919.650.1459 ext 205

Ira Kantrowitz-Gordon, PhD, CNM, ARNP, FACNM

Deputy Editor

Makes acceptance and rejection decisions for manuscripts, and works with authors throughout the revision process. Solicits manuscripts, writes editorials, and reviews Share With Women patient education handouts.

Linda Hunter, CNM, FACNM, EdD

Deputy Editor

Makes acceptance and rejection decisions for manuscripts, and works with authors throughout the revision process. Solicits manuscripts, writes editorials, and reviews Share With Women patient education handouts.