Latham Thomas & Mama Glow: Elevating Maternal Wellness Through Education, Empowerment, and Experience
Latham Thomas has reshaped maternal health, transforming Mama Glow from intimate living-room gatherings into a global maternal wellness powerhouse. As founder and CEO, Thomas has built a multifaceted organization offering doula services, academic programs, a bestselling book, and advocacy—all designed to celebrate pregnancy with grace, power, and purpose.
From Herbalist Apprenticeship to Ivy League Foundation
Thomas’s journey bridges alternative wellness and academic excellency. "My education was largely outside of school, when I studied with a master herbalist," she shared in an interview with Career Contessa, though she acknowledges that her time at Columbia University and Fountain Valley School prepared her for the demands of higher learning. She also highlighted her training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, noting it refined her counseling skills and deepened her understanding of the holistic foundations of health—essential for her later work in maternal care.
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Why Doula Work Found Her
Self-described, Thomas said during a Career Contessa interview, “A doula … provides education, emotional support, and advocates for the expectant mother and family.” She recalled being drawn into doula work when clients requested her presence during birth due to the nurturing support she offered through yoga and nutrition coaching. A meaningful astrology reading confirmed a calling: “You’re supposed to mother the mother,” she said, capturing the spark that would ignite Mama Glow.
Mama Glow: A Metamorphosis in Birth Support
Launched in 2017, Mama Glow provides bespoke doula services across fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and birth transitions. Situated within Brown University’s Pembroke Center, its doula training program—led by Thomas—is part of the official curriculum. Mama Glow partners with healthcare systems and insurers to improve outcomes for birthing people, reshaping maternal wellness through policy and practice.
In 2021, Thomas debuted the Mama Glow Doula Expo, a festival-style gathering described as "Coachella for birth workers." With a focus on networking, upskilling, and economic empowerment, the expo has become a global touchstone for birth professionals. Additionally, through the Mama Glow Foundation, she leads reproductive justice efforts—like “Love Delivered”—offering free doula care to marginalized communities and supporting birth equity through advocacy and arts-driven campaigns.
Related: Women-Led Wellness: 10 Founders Building the Future of Holistic Health
Author, Advocate, Advisor
Thomas's book, Mama Glow: A Hip Guide to A Fabulous Abundant Pregnancy, became a #1 bestseller and earned endorsements from high-profile figures including Alicia Keys, Christy Turlington, and Dr. Christiane Northrup. Its success validated Mama Glow’s cultural impact and attracted opportunities such as maternity initiatives with Vogue and Destination Maternity.
Beyond writing, Thomas serves on the Kate Spade New York Social Impact Council, promoting mental–health access for women and girls, and was named to Oprah’s Super Soul 100—recognitions that reinforce her leadership in maternal wellness and social justice.
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A Unique Business Model in Maternal Health
Operating globally with a lean core team, Mama Glow generates revenue through premium doula services, training programs, corporate consulting, and large-scale events. Thomas herself has personally supported births for celebrities like Alicia Keys, Anne Hathaway, and Ashley Graham, enhancing the brand’s visibility and ability to drive maternal wellness mainstream.
Her holistic approach—fusing herbalism, integrative nutrition, academic rigor, and entrepreneurial insight—has created a resilient ecosystem that balances boutique service quality with scalable advocacy and business infrastructure.
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The Future of Maternal Empowerment
Looking ahead, Thomas continues to expand Mama Glow’s influence through research partnerships with institutions like Montefiore and Northwell Health, as well as new wellness venues such as The Soft Space in Brooklyn. Her mission remains clear: transform pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum into experiences of empowerment, respect, and joy.
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