Our Founding Members

Meet Our Board

Together We Thrive is a nonprofit organization built by people who care deeply about family safety, parent well-being, prevention, and community support. Our leadership and advisory team bring together lived experience, professional expertise, and a shared commitment to helping families feel more informed, more supported, and less alone. Our leadership team is qualified and intentionally built.

Caitlin Pollard, PhD, DHSc, CPHQ®, C-SBER

Founder/Chief Executive Officer & Twin Mom

About Caitlin

Dr. Caitlin Pollard is a healthcare professional, policy strategist, and research scholar committed to advancing maternal and infant health. Born and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration with honors from Methodist University (2019), a Master of Arts in Communication from Johns Hopkins University (2021), and a Doctorate from Campbell University (2024). Her doctoral research explored the influence of social media on parental knowledge, attitudes, and adherence to safe infant sleep practices.

Professionally, Caitlin serves as the Manager of Organizational Advancement and Compliance at a mental health nonprofit, where she designs funding strategies, ensures regulatory compliance, and collaborates with state and local agencies to improve access to care for rural and underserved populations. Her expertise spans maternal and paternal mental health, particularly antenatal and perinatal anxiety and depression, and she is a strong advocate for systems-level improvements in behavioral health services.

Caitlin has presented her research and evidence-based practices at national conferences, including the Cribs for Kids® National Conference and the National Head Start Association Conference, and has shared strategies to improve infant safety and family well-being. In April 2023, she became a mother to identical twin boys, Charlie and Ramsay, an experience that deepened her commitment to infant safety, harm reduction, and family-centered care.

With a unique combination of academic knowledge, professional experience, and personal insight, Caitlin hopes to lead Together We Thrive, Inc., with meaningful impact at the intersection of healthcare policy, mental health, and infant and family well-being.

Alexandria Bowerman

Chief Operations Officer & Derrick’s Mom

About Alexandria

Alexandria Bowerman is a bereaved parent‑advocate and community educator dedicated to preventing sleep‑related infant deaths. After the tragic loss of her son, Derrick, one day shy of his second month of life, Alexandria transformed her grief into a mission to help families understand how to create safe sleep environments and reduce preventable risks. Her work is rooted both in personal experience and in the belief that too many caregivers are unaware of the real dangers associated with unsafe sleep practices.

As the founder of Derrick Stone Safe Sleep, Alexandria has led efforts to raise awareness, engage families of all ages, and support community education that includes siblings, parents, grandparents, and teens. She emphasizes inclusive outreach strategies to equip all caregivers with practical knowledge of safe infant sleep and risk prevention.

In her role as Chief Operations Officer of Together We Thrive, Inc., Alexandria extends this mission by partnering with community organizations, supporting resource navigation, and helping shape family‑centered education initiatives. She is committed to meeting families where they are, sharing trusted guidance, and building awareness without judgment.

Alexandria carries Derrick’s legacy into every aspect of her work, honoring his life through compassion, education, and efforts to ensure that other families are informed, supported, and empowered.

Our Advisory Board

  • Sara Young – Civil Service Worker (Florida)
  • Robert Young – United States Air Force Veteran (Florida)
  • Gareth Pollard, MSN, PMHNP – Psychiatrist (North Carolina)
  • Sarah Pollard – Student Intern (North Carolina)
    • Our advisory board reflects a diverse mix of professional expertise, lived experience, and community connection.

Why Our Leadership Matters

Together We Thrive is led by individuals who bring both professional expertise and lived experience in areas including healthcare, mental health, military family life, and infant safety advocacy. This combination ensures that our work remains grounded, practical, and responsive to the real needs of families.

Connect With Our Team!

We welcome opportunities to support families, collaborate with community partners, and expand access to education and resources.