Featured Team Members

Rev. Maritday Rodriguez

Rev. Maritday Rodriguez, also known as Ama’ritday~the Sacred Health Doula, is the founder of Sacred Connection Healthy And Life Arts (SCHALA). This initiative was born out of the increasing need for sacred spaces and comprehensive information to support women throughout various phases of their lives.

Maritday, a native New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent, has had the honor of serving pregnant families for almost two decades. She brings an abundance of traditional women’s healing and birthing wisdom from her Taino, Caribbean, and Native American culture and is dedicated to providing holistic and sacred support to women on their unique journeys.

Maritday brings a specialized background in women’s health, reproductive/womb wellness, pregnancy, skincare, and nutrition to empower women in creating effective life plans for optimal pre and post-birthing experiences.

As a state-registered ordained minister, licensed aesthetician, and certified full-spectrum doula, Maritday is a multifaceted passionista offering a range of services. These include skincare, energy work, womb healing/blessing, yoni care, antenatal, birth and postpartum care, as well as mentorship/education and life/health coaching.

Otillio Montero (OT)

OT grew up in The Bronx, with roots extending into Upstate New York. It was a community deeply immersed in art, providing him with an endless wellspring of inspiration through his surroundings. Being part of this creative community, surrounded by nature and fellow artists, made it effortless for him to tap into his own creativity. Music and photography have consistently been his passions, serving as the vehicles through which he shares his visions and ideas with others.

From his perspective, music functions as an auditory medium, while photography serves as a visual one. However, both mediums allow him to identify, express, and communicate a diverse array of emotions, visions, and inspirations that stir within him daily. He relishes the opportunity to convey his unique perspective of the world, forging connections with people from all walks of life wherever his journey takes him.

His fascination with the arts began at an early age, and he has always been driven by an innate sense of motivation. His education at The High School of Art and Design in Manhattan provided him with the foundational tools he needed. Still, it's the accumulation of life experiences, mentorship, and hands-on practice that has honed his skills as a visual creator and designer. His photography journey represents a lifelong commitment to learning, with each passing day offering new lessons. He firmly believes that genuine learning stems from continuous practice and real-world experiences, not solely from academic study. Some of his most profound insights have emerged from the mistakes made in the lab, far greater than any wisdom gained from textbooks.

Tamika Dunkley

Tamika Dunkley is the co-founder of Seasoned Delicious Foods, a food product manufacturer in the Hudson Valley. She has now opened a brick and mortar multi-use facility in Lake Katrine. But while “the food is her bread and butter”, the non-profit work is her heart. A portion of all sales go directly to Seasoned Gives, the non-profit branch that was established to provide financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and job/life skills training with a special focus on BIPOC and women community members. Providing education on economics and how it affects communities of color through “Circulation of Our Dollar” events and seminars. Tamika has also been instrumental in the development of food equity and justice programs. In Ulster County she hosts a “Support Your Neighbor Program '', that has now distributed tens of thousands of pounds of food and meals to those in need. She is also co-founder of the Annual Caribbean Carnival in Saugerties, which brings art, music and food in addition to cultural education to Ulster County and beyond.Currently she is the vice chair of Ulster County Workforce Development and Hudson Valley Women in Business. On the board of directors Black Farmers United, Ulster Community College Foundations, HVEDC, and DEI of the YMCA. Advisory for Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation, and the WDI for NYS Cannabis Board. She has been instrumental in social justice initiatives and advocacy work such as the Board of Saugerties Police Reform Commission.

Yuvelca Magdalena

Yuvelca Magdalena is a first-generation American with roots in Dominican, Taino, and European heritage. She is an internationally recognized writer, speaker, and author, specializing in trauma-informed Brainspotting practices. As a certified holistic birth and death doula and advanced childbirth educator, Yuvelca focuses on providing compassionate care, stillbirth prevention, and maternal mental health.

Having personally faced the pain of multi-layered traumatic losses and witnessing her daughter’s four pregnancy losses, Yuvelca brings a unique depth to her work. She is married to NY Men's Fashion Designer Paul Aarrington, a mother of four, and a passionate advocate for stillbirth prevention as an Ambassador for Count the Kicks. Yuvelca is also a PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy ChangeMaker.

Beyond her professional endeavors, she enjoys barefoot hiking and crocheting. Yuvelca's commitment to making a positive impact is evident in her advocacy work, her internationally published articles, and her book, "The Stillbirth Prevention Advocate." Whether supporting individuals through grief or training professionals in Brainspotting, Yuvelca is dedicated to fostering healing and peace. Learn more about her services on Yuvelca.com or connect on Dot.cards/Yuvelca for collaboration opportunities.