2026 Trendsetter Recipient
Receiving the 2026 Trendsetter Award:
A Reflection from the Heart of Monadnock Perinatal
There are moments in business and in life that quietly take your breath away. Being named a 2026 Trendsetter Award recipient is one of those moments for me…
“to "be recognized as a “trendsetter” feels both humbling and a little surreal”
Ashley Norris, IBCLC, CD(DONA), CPD(DONA), CCCE
When I started Monadnock Perinatal back in May of 2021, it wasn’t with the intention of winning awards or being recognized. It was built from something much simpler and much deeper: a desire to show up for families in one of the most transformative, vulnerable, and powerful seasons of their lives. It was built from lived experience, from passion, and from a belief that every parent deserves to feel supported, informed, and seen.
This work has never just been a “business” to me.
It’s late-night texts from new moms who need reassurance. (its not uncommon for me to answer at 3am either)
It’s sitting beside someone in labor, holding space as they find their strength. (just as those that did for me)
It’s helping a parent feed their baby without pain after days or weeks of struggle. (
It’s walking alongside families through joy, uncertainty, grief, loss, and everything in between.
So to be recognized as a “trendsetter” feels both humbling and a little surreal. The truth is, what im doing isn’t about trends. It’s about returning to something deeply human: connection, education, advocacy, and support. Its about the connection that I had almost 9 years ago when I have birth to my daughter. My nurse Wendy was there for me, advocating for my wishes and holding the space when I needed it. Fast forwrd to 2026 I work alongside Wendy at The Birth Place at Baystate Franklin Meidical Center where I teach Parent Education and work on the floor as an IBCLC.
If Monadnock Perinatal is setting any kind of “trend,” I hope it’s this:
That parents deserve evidence-based, compassionate care
That lactation, birth, and postpartum support should be accessible and normalized
That community matters—deeply. I say it all the time - “Let’s build a community of mamas supporting mamas!”
And that we can build businesses rooted in professionalism, empathy and deep compassion
This recognition doesn’t belong to me alone.
It belongs to every family who has trusted me in their journey.
It belongs to my colleagues and fellow providers who continue to collaborate, refer, and uplift this work.
It belongs to this incredible community that has shown up, shared, supported, and believed in what Monadnock Perinatal stands for…
…and most importantly, it belongs to my family; especially my husband, who has stood beside me from the very beginning, encouraging every big idea and steadying every hard moment. None of this would exist without that foundation.
Winning this award isn’t a finish line. If anything, it’s a reminder to keep going—to keep growing, expanding, and continuing to serve families in meaningful ways.
There is so much more ahead for Monadnock Perinatal, and I’m incredibly grateful to be doing this work in a community that makes it all possible.
From the bottom of my heart—thank you for being part of this journey.
- Ashley Norris - Owner/Founder of Monadnock Perinatal
