OUR TEAM

Being a parent is probably the hardest, best job there is.  My journey so far has been filled with triumphs, insane moments of doubt and indecision, tears of joy (and grief), and more moments of awe than you could shake a stick at. I started Babytalk LA one year into parenting as a place for parents to come to learn, laugh and cry together. It has now “evolved” (sorry) into Wevolve, a community of families who share ideas and support each other for years to come. We have developed research-based viewpoints around most parenting issues, but we always leave room for families to find the approach that works for them.

Prior to getting my MBA from Wharton, I  taught elementary school in Northern California and went on to become the Program Director of Girls Inc. of NYC where I developed and facilitated educational programs for girls in New York City.  I have a BA in Urban Studies and Youth Development from UC Berkeley and a long history of working with children. I am a Certified Parent Educator through Parent Prep, a Certified Happiest Baby Educator and a proud mother of Stella, Ziggy and Reggie da Doodle.

As a mother of twin boys (Luke and Liam), I know very well how daunting the experience of becoming a parent can be – especially in Los Angeles which sometimes isn’t the most baby-friendly place and where many of us are transplants, living far from our own families. As a facilitator of new parent groups, I aim to provide moms and dads with a safe space to share their questions and concerns, to discuss what the experts advise regarding all things baby-related and to be supportive as they find their way into their own parenting groove. Most importantly, I strive to foster confidence in new moms and dads so they’re able to really enjoy this special time in their life.

Prior to joining Wevolve, I earned a masters degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University and a bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan where I worked at an on-campus preschool as a teacher’s aid. During my masters training, I worked as an individual and group therapist at Exodus Recovery in East Los Angeles and at Westside Pregnancy Clinic (Claris Health) in their West L.A. and Crenshaw locations. I’m currently in private practice providing therapy to individuals, couples and families both online and via my office in West Hollywood.

I have been caring for newborns and their families for over 17 years. I am a certified Birth Doula, Newborn Care Specialist, Sleep Trainer, and a Certified Lactation Educator Counselor. My career began in New York, but I made the move to LA shortly after my sister gave birth to twins, 13 years ago. Since then, I have cared for over 100 babies and had one of my own; a beautiful, happy boy named Huey. I feel called to help new families get off to the best start possible, giving them the confidence they need to thrive. As a Facilitator for Wevolve, I hope to encourage new/expecting parents while empowering them with tools to help tackle the challenges of birth and parenting. In a city like Los Angeles, it is easy to feel isolated and unsure. I love that Wevolve gives us a sense of community and a roadmap to embracing the kind of parents we want to be. I’m excited to be a part of this amazing team.

Mindy Walder (she/her) is a counselor and coach working to help others find the connection between healing, personal accountability and social transformation. Mindy began her practice 12 years ago serving marginalized teens, where she honed her skills in conflict resolution techniques and self-care practices. Mindy currently works as a transformation counselor/coach and specializes in working with individuals who are navigating the process of divorce—at any stage therein—by helping to realign action with values so as to best protect and care for themselves and those they love most.

Mindy holds an M.S. in Counseling Psychology and is a CDC Certified Divorce Coach ® . She holds a certificate, too, from the Mindsight Institute, having studied with Jack Kornfield and Dan Seigel the relationship between neuroscience and Buddhist/mindfulness practices. Mindy currently lives in Los Angeles, CA with her two teenage children and goldendoodle, Leona, and is currently writing a middle grade fiction series, called Parissma.