Nicolle Arthun, RN, CNM, FACNM

Nicolle L. Arthun is a Dine’ Nurse-Midwife from the Navajo Nation with over 18 years of
experience practicing in rural hospitals and community birth settings in New Mexico. In 2015, she founded the Changing Woman Initiative to empower indigenous communities by protecting cultural birth resiliency and advocating for reproductive health, dignity, and justice. She is widely recognized for her leadership and innovative contributions to this mission, making a significant impact in the field of Native American maternal health.
Ms. Arthun earned both her BSN and master’s degrees in Nurse-Midwifery from the University
of New Mexico. She is internationally renowned as a leading Native American maternal health expert, using her extensive knowledge, skills, and wisdom as a nurse-midwife and healer to drive innovative changes in maternal health, policy, and community wellness. Her expertise is sought after globally, with over a decade of experience serving on community-led birth center boards, as President and Vice President. Ms. Arthun's comprehensive background in organizational development, fundraising, and leadership led her to become the CEO of Transcending Strategies LLC, focusing on systems change in maternal and reproductive health, personal leadership development, and Native American health policy reform. She was recently acknowledged as a 2024 fellow of ACNM for demonstrating outstanding leadership and professional achievement.
She was acknowledged as 15 Remarkable Women of Color by Colorlines and received an
Outstanding Alumni Award from the Native American Alumni Chapter of UNM.
Ms. Arthun’s thought leadership and innovative work in Native American maternal health are foundational to the movement of reclaiming traditional birth practices and advocating for Indigenous midwifery rights. Her writings have been featured in American Indian Health and Nursing, and Varney’s Midwifery 6th Edition on Indigenous Midwifery. She is a sought-after speaker and educator, providing cultural education and training on Native American maternal health, traditional medicine, policy reform, and organizational design.