Staff and Volunteers
WellMama Staff
Lyndsie Leech
Executive Director
Lyndsie holds a Master of Public Administration from Middlebury Institute of International Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Public Health from Oregon State University. Lyndsie also brings over 10 years of social service experience in resource development, grant writing, public relations, project management, program evaluation, and communications. She most recently joins us from The Child Center but has also worked with long-standing community non-profits such as HIV Alliance and Looking Glass Community Services. Lyndsie is a mother of 2 young children, has lived experience with postpartum anxiety and depression which fuels her passion for working with parents, caregivers, and children. Her love for WellMama’s mission led her to this leadership position.
Mary Mainenti
WellMama Perinatal Services & Outreach Manager
Mary started with WellMama in 2022 as an Intern. She fit right in with the team and provided amazing experience and insight as a mom of three. When we went through the hiring process in 2023 for this position, we jumped at the opportunity to hire such an incredible person to the team! Mary supports all of our programs through her mindful leadership and is creating some amazing things that are coming up this year!
“WellMama provided crucial support for me after the birth of my third son in 2014. Through safe support groups and therapy I was empowered to go back to school to pursue a degree in Family & Human Services. I am honored to have this full-circle moment and work with other passionate individuals at WellMama. As I continue my education to pursue my masters in Marriage Couples & Family Counseling, my hope is to continue to support WellMama individuals and families on their own healing journey. We are not meant to do it all alone. “
Gina Mendez-Paoletto
Bilingual Support Coordinator
Gina received her degree at Oregon State University. She has an extensive background in social work, primarily focusing on advocacy for women and children. She, originally from San Diego California, where her extended family resides, has made a home in Oregon since 2008 with her two daughters. She hopes to provide the support that is needed within the Latinx community while fulfilling her role with WellMama. Along with being a full time single parent, she is a long-distance runner, loves cooking with friends and family and is often seeking new places to visit. She believes in empowering people to reach their goals.
Molly mae Culligan
Perinatal Loss Manager
Molly mae has been serving parents in Lane County since 2002. Since the death of her young daughter in the late fall of 2000, she has dedicated herself to parents and families. Starting out as a pediatric hospice volunteer, she quickly became a support group facilitator for bereaved parents, a role she has held for 19 years. Molly mae mentors support group facilitators, leads her own groups, hosts events, and works to educate systems around her in the unique needs of parents after the loss of their child(ren). Her dedication to serving others is her way of making meaning of her daughters life, her life as her daughters mother, and their continuing connection.
Kelsey Lawless
Perinatal Loss Coordinator
Kelsey has worked closely with the birth and postpartum community since 2013, both in the hospital and as a birth doula here in Lane County. She is passionate about equitable access to mental health resources, and aims to support those who need it with compassion and without judgment. Her heart is dedicated to this important work of providing support to bereaved parents, and she brings the lived experience of loss with her into her role at WellMama. Kelsey finds her greatest joy in raising her sons, spending time in her garden, and connecting with friends over tea.
Mariah Moon
Support Line Coordinator & Peer Support Specialist
Mariah has a background in pre-school education, has a passion for music and signing and is a parent of twins. She has been a wellmama volunteer for years, and in 2023 became a part-time staff member and Certified Peer support specialist. “the work we do is crucial in supporting healthy families in our community. I love all the different forms of support we offer and wish I had known about this support when my twins were first born. I am thrilled to be able to offer support to fellow parents.” Her love, compassion, kindness, and her smile are contagious to everyone she meets.
Yanire Woodrum
WellMama Bilingual Peer Support Coordinator
Yani started with WellMama early 2023 to help with social media and marketing, and ended up falling in love with supporting clients through our support groups. As a parent to a vivacious 6 year old, she found joy in supporting other parents going through the challenging times before and after birth. She became certified as a Peer Support Specialist and has been bringing bilingual support to several of our groups and services, and she will be holding more groups in Spanish coming up in 2024!
Erin Johnson
Administrative & Development Assistant
Originally from Colorado Springs, Erin moved to Eugene in 2016 to pursue a career as a professional ballet dancer with Eugene Ballet. Alongside her dance career, she has accumulated extensive administrative experience, spanning development and donor relations to marketing and social media management. Since November 2023, Erin has served as the Social Media Manager and Development Associate at #instaballet, a local non-profit that uses creativity to empower individuals and build community through the art of dance. In addition to her administrative roles, Erin also dances professionally with #instaballet, participating in numerous free community events and outreach workshops with organizations such as Bridgeway House, Jasper Mountain Center, Circle of Friends, and Relief Nursery, as well as in Eugene public schools. Her passion for supporting underrepresented people in her community led her to WellMama, where she is excited to join the team as the Administrative and Development Assistant. Erin looks forward to contributing to the incredible work at WellMama.
