Speaking & presentations

Bring Maddy to your room.

Evidence-based birth content with humor, depth, and a Louisiana accent.

Madeline Harris LeBlanc, MHA, RNC-OB, IBCLC, IAT. 276 doulas trained. Author of six books and workbooks, including the 593-page Data Driven Doula training manual. ICEA Approved Trainer and ICEA board member, registered nurse for ten years, and Executive Director and lead instructor at Mary’s Hands Network. Available for keynotes, hospital staff trainings, doula cohort lectures, conferences, panels, podcasts, and university curricula.

Check availability for your event

Recent engagements: Healthy Blue Louisiana Maternal Health Convening, American Heart Association Advancing Maternal Health Forum, FindHelp 2026 Connect Summit, Louisiana State Capitol (Black Maternal Health Day & Women’s Health Day), InJoy Health Education, ICEA Bi-Annual Conference, AWHONN Louisiana, Vanderbilt School of Nursing, Louisiana WIC Conference, and more.

MHA

Healthcare Administration, LSU Shreveport

RNC-OB

Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, NCC

IBCLC

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

IAT

ICEA Approved Trainer · CPBD · CPCBE

PMH-C

Perinatal Mental Health Certified, PSI

Topics

Six talks Maddy is currently delivering.

Each can be adapted for keynote, breakout, half-day intensive, or virtual format. CEU documentation available on request.

Keynote · Panel

The Doula Effect

Three years of data from a hospital-integrated community doula program. What happens to cesarean rates, preterm birth, and breastfeeding initiation when you put trained doulas in the room with the families who need them most.

For: hospital systems, public health audiences, conference keynotes, policy panels.

Hospital staff training

Doulas: The Newest Member of the Hospital Birth Care Team

How L&D nurses, midwives, and physicians can integrate doulas into the room without role confusion. Comfort measures, scope of practice, communication frameworks, and what the evidence actually says about doula-supported birth.

For: L&D, postpartum, NICU, OBGYN clinical staff. CEU-ready.

Conference · Curriculum

Bridging Birth Gaps

A retrospective study of volunteer doula care and birth outcomes at a Louisiana hospital, presented at InJoy Health Education’s Annual Summit. The case for community-based care, the data behind it, and how to replicate the model in your community.

For: childbirth educators, doula trainers, public health programs.

Keynote · Workshop

Leading with Heart

A talk on servant leadership in maternal health, delivered at the Louisiana WIC Conference. The why behind community-based work, the burnout it can create, and how leaders sustain themselves when the work is also their calling.

For: WIC staff, public health leaders, nonprofit teams, community health workers.

Doula cohort lecture

Integrating Doulas into the Hospital Birth Care Team

A presentation series with coordinated online and hands-on teaching on comfort measures and labor support specific to hospital birth. Designed to bridge the gap between doula training and the actual labor floor.

For: doula training programs, midwifery and FNP students, RN OB clinical rotations.

University · Research symposium

The Doula Effect on Social Determinants of Health

Presented at the Southern University and A&M College School of Nursing Research Symposium. The case for doulas as an intervention against maternal health disparities, with data and a research roadmap.

For: nursing schools, research symposiums, academic medical centers, health policy audiences.

Request Maddy for one of these talks

Recent engagements

Where Maddy has been speaking.

Not just her word for it — see what newsrooms, a hospital, a state registry and ICEA have written, or download the full CV (PDF).

2026
  • Healthy Blue Louisiana Maternal Health & Community Partners ConveningMary’s Hands Network outcomes update, plus a preview of the technology-integrated capacity-building roadmap and the new Associate Doula pilot program launching July 2026
  • American Heart Association — Advancing Maternal Health: Patient-Provider Connection ForumThree-organization panel on midwife and doula care models in postpartum care
  • FindHelp 2026 Connect Summit“Impact in Action: Beyond Referrals — How Community Organizations Design, Deliver, and Demonstrate Impact” (co-presenter)
  • Louisiana State CapitolPresent as a birth justice advocate for Black Maternal Health Day and Women’s Health Day
2025
  • Louisiana WIC ConferenceLeading with Heart: servant leadership keynote
  • InJoy Health Education Annual SummitBridging Birth Gaps: doula care & birth outcomes
  • Southern University School of Nursing Research SymposiumThe Doula Effect on Social Determinants of Health
  • Vanderbilt School of NursingDoulas: The Newest Member of the Hospital Birth Care Team (Midwifery, FNP, RN OB rotations)
  • Baton Rouge General Medical CenterHospital staff training series for L&D, postpartum, NICU, and OBGYN clinical staff
  • Walking with Moms in Need / Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton RougeCompassion in Crisis curriculum, parishes throughout Greater Baton Rouge
2024
  • ICEA Bi-Annual ConferenceDoulas: The Newest Member of the Hospital Birth Care Team. San Antonio, TX
  • AWHONN Louisiana / Woman’s HospitalContinuing education on integrating doulas into hospital care
  • InJoy Health Education Annual SummitHospital birth team integration
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation Annual ConveningPanel on community initiatives impacting SDOH
2023
  • Louisiana Pro-Life SummitThree creative avenues for helping mom: doulas, MNH outcomes, and community-based volunteer doula programs
2022
  • Simulation Medical Training and Education Council of Louisiana Simulation ExpoHigh Fidelity Simulation on a Low Fidelity Budget. Lafayette, LA
  • Birth Education Round TableMulti-stakeholder presentation with community partners on doula scope, training pathways, and underserved-community service

Ready to bring Maddy to your room?

Tell us about the audience, the date, and the format you have in mind. We’ll get back to you within a few business days with rates, availability, and a one-page bio for your program materials.

Replies usually within 2–3 business days. For urgent requests, email hello@maddythedoulalady.com.

Thanks — got it.

Maddy reads every inquiry herself. You’ll hear back within a few business days with rates, availability, and a speaker one-pager.