Our Experts
Smitha Gudapakkam
Founder & Chief Executive Officer CAPPA-Certified Postpartum Doula
Smitha Gudapakkam is the Founder and CEO of Sakhee Postpartum Support and a CAPPA-Certified Postpartum Doula with specialized training in perinatal mental health and lactation. With over 18 years of healthcare background spanning biomedical engineering and business administration, she pairs deep industry insight with compassionate, hands-on care for new parents.
Smitha provides comprehensive support for physical recovery and emotional well-being, walking alongside families as they navigate healing from birth, infant feeding, sleep deprivation, and the profound shifts of early parenthood. She also guides parents through the emotional and logistical transition of returning to work, helping families establish manageable routines around feeding, pumping, and daily care. Drawing from her Indian heritage, she incorporates time-honored nourishing traditions and cultural wisdom alongside evidence-based postpartum practices. Her approach is observant, empathetic, and validating, designed to ensure no parent feels unseen or unsupported.
Inspired by her own early motherhood journey and a drive to close gaps in maternal care, Smitha created Sakhee to give parents a dedicated advocate in their corner.
Rima Sheehab
IIN-Certified Integrative Health Coach Strategic Product Lead
Rima Sheehab is an IIN-Certified Integrative Health Coach and healthcare operations leader with over a decade of experience across the health, public health, and healthcare sectors. While steering strategic operations at Sakhee, her coaching practice centers on supporting parents through the profound identity shifts, physical transitions, and daily realities of postpartum life.
Deeply committed to inclusive, culturally affirming care and health equity, Rima takes a grounded, practical approach to postpartum wellness. Her practice focuses on lifestyle, mindset, rest, and realistic movement. She also partners closely with clients navigating the transition back to work, helping them establish healthy boundaries, manage daily stress, and balance career demands with family life. Rather than prescribing rigid plans or one-size-fits-all rules, she partners collaboratively with clients to help them reconnect with their values, reduce daily overwhelm, and build sustainable habits without the pressure of perfectionism.
Rooted in community health and systems thinking, Rima creates a supportive, non-judgmental space where every parent feels seen and validated. She offers complimentary introductory sessions to help clients explore their goals and discover how coaching can support their transition.
Janette Noyola
Postpartum Doula
Janette is a Postpartum Doula and Licensed Community Health Worker with experience across healthcare, maternal health, community support, and domestic violence advocacy.
In her doula practice, Janette provides compassionate, culturally responsive care to help individuals and families navigate postpartum recovery and parenthood. Drawing on her background in community health, she supports clients in navigating healthcare systems and local community resources so they feel informed and supported every step of the way. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she is dedicated to offering personalized care that meets each family where they are.
Janette is passionate about empowering the people she serves and building trusting relationships within her community. Her approach is supportive and grounding, ensuring parents have a dedicated advocate in their corner throughout their postpartum journey.