CALL FOR SPEAKER PROPOSALS

The 2025 DONA International Summit will held October 23-26, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.  The DONA Summit will offer an opportunity for doulas from around the world to come together to grow in individual and professional development. This year’s summit will return us back to where DONA International started in 1992, Seattle, Washington!

Call for Speaker Proposals: DONA International’s Speaker Selection Team is looking for evidence-based presentations that provide transferable skills to our summit attendees. We invite speakers to share their expertise and shape the summit program by submitting a speaker proposal that will build on previous years’ knowledge. We look to honor the DONA International Vision of a doula for every person who wants one by shaping the future of doula support.

DONA International has a culturally diverse membership, no less multicultural than the families that we serve. We ask that speakers reflect this reality in their presentations.

Note that you will receive an error message (and red upload X) if you omit any required field (including checkboxes).  If this happens, please use the back function and navigate to the screen to before you submitted the form where you can make sure you have filled each field/box.  This should solve the error. Max upload file size 50MB.

Deadline:  January 31, 2025.  We may accept submissions after the deadline if space is permitted, however, submissions will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.  Please submit as soon as possible.

Speaker Proposal Submission Form-2025

"*" indicates required fields

Speaker Name*
Please include any credentials you typically use after your name. Required field, please type N/A if not applicable.
Session Category*
All sessions should be targeted to the doula/birth worker/postpartum/breastfeeding/childbirth education professional with the lens of leadership in the local community, national, or international levels. Check all that apply.
Please describe the session to potential attendees - this will be used to market the session should it be chosen. It should 1-3 paragraphs in length.
Please describe the teaching methods you will employ with a focus on interactivity and engagement for learners.
Please describe your objectives for the session?
Please include THREE questions (T/F or Multiple Choice) that learners will be able to answer at the end of the session. Make sure to include the question, possible answers, AND which answer is correct. They should NOT be reflective questions or ones that could have different answers that are subjective based on individual interpretation. Questions should have ONE definitive answer. If you want multiple answers - use "all of the above" as one of your answers.
Please include short paragraph to be used on our conference website to tell the participant about you and your qualifications. This bio should be written in 3rd person. (300 words max)
Please upload supplemental documentation including a session outline, and resources or bibliography. You may also include any other notes you would like the committee to consider about the session.
Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB.
Please upload speaker CV/Resume in pdf format.
Accepted file types: pdf, docx, Max. file size: 50 MB.
Please upload a professional headshot resized to 500x500 with clear resolution, in jpg or png format. Image should be clear, in good lighting, and have a professional tone(i.e. no messy backgrounds, no crops, good lighting). Note max file size 50MB
Accepted file types: jpg, png, Max. file size: 50 MB.
Selection Process: Each proposal is initially reviewed and ranked by the speaker selection committee first for completion of the application, compliance to the DONA International Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics and for Conflict of Interest.* Any proposal that is not completed, not congruent with the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics or marked for conflict of interest will be removed for further consideration. ONLY ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED. DONA International reserves the right to edit the session title and description if needed. If you are selected to present your session: You must agree not to present this topic to any other childbirth educator, labor assistant or doula organization in the three (3) months prior to or after this DONA International Summit. Speaker Statement of Agreement and W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (US citizens only) should be submitted as soon as possible after selection, but no later than 5 business days after offer to speak to hold you spot. After agreement and W-9 received, each speaker will receive an info packet for submitting additional handouts and power point presentation on conference branded slides. Additional handouts, or confirmation that no additional handouts will be submitted, must be received no later than September 1, 2025, all handouts and powerpoint presentation must be formatted as requested by DONA International. Session presentations should be prepared on the conference theme slide deck template which will be available after selection. I agree that I have read these terms.