We’re a community of dreamers & doers helping to build better birth stories.

A woman with short, curly blonde hair smiling at the camera, sitting at a desk with a laptop.

As a mother of four, Chantel knows first-hand the journey of birthing in the hospital and at home.

Meet Chantel Runnels, CD — Founder & CEO of The Chaun Collective.

Her practice is centered on curating an experience for each family based on education, advocacy, and trauma-informed care.

Chantel is an internationally certified Birth Doula (CD-DONA), a Certified Lactation Education Specialist (CLES), and a Gottman Bringing Baby Home Educator, with more than 16 years of experience as a birthworker, executive leader, and maternal health advocate.

Originally from New York, Chantel resides in Southern California with her family. She serves on the board of the Urban Youth Workers Institute and often speaks at conferences, colleges, workshops, and ministries.

Whether preparing families to welcome a new baby, consulting, mothering, or speaking, her anthem has always been,

“Be the change”.

In her free time, you can find Chantel buying plants, cycling, coffee crawling with her husband, and exploring the world with their growing littles.

A diverse group of people sitting and standing in a bright indoor space, watching a presentation or discussion. A large window in the background shows trees outside, and a screen on the wall displays the text 'U ARE ALIVE' with colorful letters.

Understand our Mission

The Chaun Collective’s mission is to:

  • create space for women and their families to birth safely and live courageously.

  • help achieve birth equity by scaling access to doula care.

We accomplish this through:

  • helping to make doula care accessible to every birthing person.

  • systemic policy advocacy and empowering birthworkers with the sustainable business models, education, and community support they need to thrive.

We help bridge the gap between policy advocacy and professional practice, creating scalable systems that support both clients and birthworkers.

Services and Programs

Services and Programs

Two women sit barefoot on a white bookshelf against a white wall with sunlight and shadow cast across them, one pregnant and holding her belly, both wearing comfortable clothing.

Every person has a birth story. Let’s work together to make them good ones.

For Families
For Doulas