Jessica Runnels-Morrissette is a maternal health advocate, artist, educator, and wellness practitioner whose work centers the needs of historically marginalized communities. Jessica brings over 15 years of experience at the intersection of arts, education, and community wellness. As a licensed learning behavior specialist, certified massage therapist, yoga instructor, dancer, and doula, she provides culturally grounded, trauma-informed care to all with an emphasis on mothers—particularly women of color—navigating pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery.

Jessica founded Ah Essentials, a community-rooted holistic wellness practice that encompasses perinatal care. Her personal journey through postpartum depression, coupled with caregiving for her mother—a Lupus and stroke survivor—has deeply informed her approach to healing work. She is committed to challenging systemic racism and advocating for reproductive justice through both grassroots care and systems-level change.

Jessica also serves as Executive Assistant at West Side United, a health equity collaborative, and is happy to now serve as a board member of NDoula Community Alliance. Whether supporting young mothers, facilitating workshops, providing wellness services and education, or building cross-sector partnerships, Jessica is guided by empathy, intuition, and a belief in the power of culturally competent care.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Jessica.Runnels-Morrissette@ndoula.org