Wendi Cleckner, LM CPM JD Esq

Founding Mentor

Wendi is a desert child at heart, born and raised on the Arizona clay. In 1993 she helped a friend through the birth of her first child and felt a passion to devote her life to the birth world. After 25 years, Wendi is semi-retired from clinical practice in order to focus her knowledge and expertise to help more midwives and birthworkers. 

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Wendi is passionate about justice and advocacy. In fact, that passion helped her finish law school in two years and immediately pass the bar. She midwife’s the midwife through the legal space when there is action against their license or a disgruntled client is pursuing a suit. Wendi advocates for women who have experienced obstetrical violence, educates doulas, midwives, friends and families what their rights are in the birthing space, and works toward changes at the policy level so that birthing people feel safe and cared for throughout the childbirth years.

Wendi also serves on several boards including: the former Director of Advocacy and Policy on the Midwives Alliance of North America Board of Directors, the former Vice President of Postpartum Support International, Arizona Board of Directors, the former President, VP and Secretary of the Arizona Association of Midwives, current President of The Arizona Community Birth Coalition.

Wendi loves the sun and the earth, and enjoys coaxing new life out of the Arizona ground in her gardens. She continues to study herbalism and a number of other healing modalities. Wendi has opened several midwifery practices including Global Midwifery, Tempe Birth Center, and Freedom and the Seed. She is a pillar in the community, helping support the work of midwives everywhere.