The first-of-its-kind brunch united influential women, including author and TV personality Porsha Williams, "Good Morning America's" Janai Norman, and NBC4 New York/WNBC's Natalie Pasquarella for heartfelt conversations about maternal and infant health.

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, March of Dimes hosted "The Collective" as part of its signature It Starts With Mom campaign convening CEOs, changemakers, and advocates for an inspiring discussion on how the power of personal experience can drive systemic change. The event was emceed by Natalie Pasquarella, anchor for NBC4 New York/WNBC, who helped weave together the stories and themes that shaped the morning's discussion.

The conversation "From Personal to Powerful: Stories Driving Change for Moms and Babies" was moderated by Janai Norman, co-anchor of "Good Morning America" and featured a deeply moving panel with heartfelt conversation centered on how lived experiences can shape change. Panelists included Porsha Williams, author and TV personality; Adrianna Carrig, founder and CBO of Little Words Project; Dr. May Lee Tjoa, Senior Global Medical Affairs Leader at Johnson & Johnson, and Elizabeth Caulder, CEO of Phoenix Lifestyle Marketing Group.

"Every statistic we talk about, whether it's preterm birth or maternal mortality, represents a family, a mom, a baby who deserves the best possible start," said Cindy Rahman, President and CEO of March of Dimes. "Today's event was a powerful reminder that real change starts when we listen to women's stories, and when partners come together to turn those stories into action. We're proud to stand with our supporters who share our mission to fight for the health of all moms and babies."

Throughout the conversation, speakers reflected on the profound connection between their personal experiences and their professional missions—from Williams' maternal health advocacy and Caulder's journey of loss and healing, to Carrig's experience in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and Dr. Tjoa's role advancing innovation in maternal-fetal medicine.

"We can't fix what we won't face. I'm honored to stand with March of Dimes and share my story. When we speak out, we help others feel seen, heard, and empowered to push for better care," said Porsha Williams, March of Dimes Celebrity Advocate Council Member. "There's so much more work to do, especially for Black moms. But today reminded me that we're not in this alone."

The Collective was supported by a powerful group of partners whose ongoing collaboration fuels the March of Dimes mission. Premier sponsor Johnson & Johnson joined Supportive sponsors The Honest Company and Momcozy; Event sponsors Garrison Financial Group and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association; and Media partner The Bump. National It Starts With Mom campaign partners include HCA Healthcare, Clearblue, and Sanofi. March of Dimes National partner, Philips Healthcare and Philips Avent, highlighted their collaboration with March of Dimes as a powerful example of thought leadership in action, translating shared insights into tangible solutions for moms and moms-to-be.

Little Words Project, Broadwick Fibers, and Crayola Flowers were featured through interactive and creative moments during the event.

As the nation continues to face persistently high and inequitable rates of maternal mortality and preterm birth, March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies through research, education, advocacy, programs, and partnerships. The Collective is both a celebration of stories and a rallying cry for action—because behind every statistic is a family, reminding participants that everyone has a role to play in creating a healthy future for families.

To learn more and get involved, visit marchofdimes.org/itstartswithmom. For more about March of Dimes' work to improve maternal and infant health, visit marchofdimes.org.

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SOURCE March of Dimes Inc.