Background

POEM, Inc. (Perinatal Outreach and Encouragement for Moms) was founded in 2005 by three women, all survivors of postpartum depression (PPD) and sole leaders of a group known at the time as Depression After Delivery of Central Ohio (D.A.D.). In 1986, D.A.D. Ohio was founded in concert with the creation of the national D.A.D. support network. In 1987, then First Lady of Ohio, Dagmar Celeste, became involved stemming from her experience with PPD. From ensuing state funds, a statewide, multi-disciplinary professional advisory board, task force, and numerous support groups were created. After the change in leadership in 1991, state funding, involvement from healthcare professionals, and the support groups gradually disappeared. D.A.D. was run solely by the few volunteers who continued to distribute brochures, take calls in their homes, developed a website and facilitated support group meetings.

Following the Andrea Yates family tragedy in 2001, both awareness and fear of maternal mental illness began to grow. Many women who attended the group or called for telephone support were not only coping with the illness, but were often misled with the fear of being a danger to their children. A decision was made to create an organization to meet the needs of mothers and families desperate for support and information. As time and personal finances permitted, the women began training as the Ohio coordinators of Postpartum Support International (PSI), an all-volunteer organization that serves as the world's leading authority on perinatal mental health. PSI education, combined with the knowledge of the significant gaps in services and awareness across Ohio, led the women to found the state's only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to provide support, information, and advocacy for mothers and families in Ohio at risk for or experiencing pregnancy and postpartum depression, adjustment difficulties, and other maternal mental health issues. POEM is the only organization in Ohio that connects the dots between the families, providers, researchers, governmental agencies, academia, and other support organizations.

Board of Directors

Kerry T. Boyle
Attorney, Wiles, Boyle, Burkholder & Bringardner

Kerry T. Boyle

Kerry T. Boyle is an attorney with the law firm of Wiles, Boyle, Burkholder & Bringardner, Co., L.P.A. Kerry practices in the areas of real estate and business law. Kerry is married to Miranda Boyle and they have two daughters, Hana and Lilly. Kerry received his B.S. from Ohio University, cum laude in 1995, and J.D. from Capital University in 2000.

Amy Trenor Burt
Co-founder, Director of Operations
POEM, Inc. Perinatal Outreach & Encouragement for Moms

Amy joined the support group that is now POEM in 2002. She serves as the Director of Operations for POEM and is a co-coordinator for Postpartum Support International for the state of Ohio. Amy was part of a panel that co-authored the PSI publication "Developing a Sustainable Perinatal Support Network in Your Community." Amy has 3 children and is a two-time survivor of postpartum depression. She brings her experiences and knowledge to the bi-weekly support group meetings she facilitates and in coordinating efforts of statewide coordinators of the POEM group and volunteers.

Amy continues teaching Special Education for the Columbus City Schools as she has for the past 15 years. Here she teaches children with moderate, severe, profound mental retardation and Autism.

Amy received her BSEd from Ohio University and her MA from Ohio State University.

Megan E. Davis, MPH, CHES
Director, Health Policy
Children's Defense Fund

Megan Davis is the Director of Health Policy for the Children’s Defense Fund, Ohio. Megan brings a diverse background of health education and public health experience to her home state of Ohio. She previously served as a Health Educator with the University of Southern California. Prior to her work in Los Angeles, Megan worked as a Health Educator in both Ypsilanti and Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Megan believes policy enactment and change is essential in creating sustainable healthy communities.

Megan holds a Bachelor of Science in Community Health from Ohio University, and a Master of Public Health from Saint Louis University. In addition, she is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). As the Director of Health Policy, Megan is responsible for monitoring state and federal legislation; identifying health trends and emerging issues; enhancing relationships with community partners and opinion leaders and making recommendations for CDF-Ohio’s response to critical child health issues.

Tonya Fulwider
Co-founder, Executive Director
POEM, Inc. Perinatal Outreach & Encouragement for Moms

Tonya Fulwider began involvement with postpartum depression social support after her own experience with perinatal illness in 1998. She currently serves as the Executive Director and co-founder of POEM, Inc. (Perinatal Outreach and Encouragement for Moms), co-chair of the Franklin County Maternal Depression Task Force, a state of Ohio coordinator for Postpartum Support International (PSI) and PSI Regional Coordinator for the six-state Central Region. Tonya lectures regularly on the topics of perinatal mental health and social support and co-authored the PSI publication “Developing a Sustainable Perinatal Support Network in Your Community.” Tonya and her husband David are the parents of Veronica and Sarah.

In prior experiences, she was employed as the decorative artist and muralist for a Columbus area painting firm. Additionally, she held the positions of General Manager, Banquet and Conference Manager and Service Coordinator in the restaurant and hospitality industries in the Columbus and Dayton areas for 11 years. Tonya received her BA in Political Science and Communications from The Ohio State University.

Cathy Gainer
Director of Business Development
Bosca Accessories and Leather

Cathy Gainer is the Director of Business Development at Bosca Accessories and Leather in Columbus, Ohio. Cathy is married to Jack Gainer and they are the parents of Mitch and Alexa.

Cathy received her MBA from Ohio Dominican in 2008 and graduated from Miami University in 1984.

Jobie Krantz

Jobie Krantz
Owner, Andy & Eve: Luxury Children's Resale

Jobie initially came to POEM as a postpartum mother in January of 2008. After receiving care and guidance from POEM herself, she is returning the investment made with her by volunteering weekly as a Mentor Mom for new mothers suffering through postpartum depression.

Jobie is a graduate of Ohio University (B.S.Ed 2002) and previously taught Special Education for Columbus Public Schools. She currently owns and operates Andy & Eve: Luxury Children's Resale and coordinates a local Moms group serving the Powell, Lewis Center, Dublin, and Worthington areas. Jobie and her husband Nathan live in Powell with their two children, Andrew and Evelyn, volunteer at their church, Worthington Presbyterian, and are both proud to be survivors, thanks to POEM.

Eileen Maher, MD
Pediatrician, Olentangy Pediatrics

Eileen Maher has been a board member of P.O.E.M since 2007.

She is a graduate of The College of The Holy Cross and received her medical degree from Ohio State University in 1981.She has been practicing pediatrics since 1981 and is a partner at Olentangy Pediatrics. Eileen and her husband Bill are the parents of three children. Eileen is also involved in volunteer efforts as a member of The Christ Child Society.

Marcee Nelson
President, Founder
Pink Tank Division of GSW

Marcee joined GSW in 2004 to lead the Women’s Health Group. In 2005 she was named Executive Creative Director of the Columbus office. During that time, Marcee developed a point of view for marketing health and wellness to women that has grown into the Pink Tank division of GSW, made official in January 2008. Pink Tank fills a much-needed gap for health and wellness brands who want to motivate female influencers, whether they are patients, consumers, caregivers or professionals.

Marcee’s background is in writing and creative direction. Her 20 years of consumer experience in Chicago include leading the Kraft Foods business at JWT as senior vice president, deputy executive creative director and producing award-winning work for General Mills and other major brands at DDB, as vice president/creative director. Marcee has extensive experience in building brands and creating marketing efforts to and about women.