GOLD Learning Speakers

Wendi Cleckner, LM, CPM, JD

Julie Gunnigle

Emily L. Fernandez

• Speaker Type: 2020
• Country: U.S.A.

Biography:

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 moms and babies. The calling of midwifery has blessed her with travel across the world, taking her to the Philippines, the Sudan and Iraq. She believes in the intrinsic knowledge women hold in the ability to bring forth life, and will continue to work both individually and with the community, rallying for women to give birth as they choose.
Wendi is passionate about justice and advocacy. In fact, that passion helped her finish law school in two years and pass the bar with flying colors. She now 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 and the policy level so that birthing people feel safe and cared for throughout the childbirth years. Wendi also serves on several boards including: the Director of Advocacy on the Midwives Alliance of North America Board of Directors, the Vice President of Postpartum Support International, Arizona Board of Directors, the current Secretary and former President of the Arizona Association of Midwives.

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 recently opened Mill Ave Midwives in downtown Tempe lending it as a hub for social justice and reproductive justice work locally, nationally, and internationally. Wendi is always looking for the next adventure overseas to help women and families in under-served areas of the world.

Julie Gunnigle was born and raised in Maricopa County and currently lives a mile from the school that she attended growing up.
She graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School, cum laude. After law school, Julie went on to serve as Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County, Illinois where she prosecuted financial crime and public corruption.
As a former Professor of Law, a current solo practitioner, a mother of three and former prosecutor – Julie understands how complex our criminal justice system is and how important it is to have someone with a diverse set of experiences to tackle the problems within the County Attorney’s office and in Maricopa County.

Emily Fernandez defends medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, and general negligence matters in all New York Counties, handling cases through trial. Her clients include prominent New York hospitals, nursing homes, insurance companies, doctors, nurses, and other health care providers.
Emily is diligent, dedicated, and practical. She provides effective, efficient resolution of matters in connection with client expectations and guidelines. She excels at identifying issues, devising and pursuing litigation strategies, communicating with clients, and oral and written advocacy.
Emily’s prior experience includes clerking for a NJ Superior Court Judge, interning with NJ Legal Services, and interning in the Thermal Protection System at NASA.