Meet the board members who are guiding our vision.
Empowering through education
NLCA’s educational resources empower you to make a profound impact in the field of lactation consulting. Explore our educational offerings designed to elevate your skills and knowledge in lactation care. Dive into our education programs today.
Advocating through licensure
Licensure as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant is integral to the provision of clinical lactation care to childbearing families and fosters clinical lactation care that is safe, affordable, risk appropriate, and equitable.
Marsha Walker
PRESIDENT
Marsha Walker is a registered nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC®).
About Marsha Walker
Marsha Walker is a registered nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC®). She is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University and Boston University School of Nursing. She earned academic society membership in Sigma Theta Tau and recognition in Whos’ Who in American Nursing. Marsha maintained a large clinical lactation practice at a major Massachusetts HMO where she was the Director of the Breastfeeding Support Program. Marsha is a previous board member of the International Lactation Consultant Association, United States Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA), Baby Friendly USA, the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition, and the Massachusetts Lactation Consultant Association. She is a past USLCA representative to the FDA’s Breastfeeding Promotion Consortium. Marsha co-founded the National Alliance for Breastfeeding Advocacy, the IBFAN organization in the US that monitored the Code and is a past member of the United States Breastfeeding Committee. She sits on the Clinical Committee for Baby Friendly USA.
Marsha serves as an associate editor of the journal Clinical Lactation. She is a frequent speaker, having provided hundreds of presentations, and is a published author of numerous books and journal articles. Marsha is a founding board member of the National Lactation Consultant Alliance where she also Cchairs the Federal Policy Committee. Her two children and six grandchildren form a very active sporting family that keeps her busy attending track meets, basketball games, cheering competitions, soccer games, lacrosse games, football games, and gymnastics meets.
Ellen Lechtenberg
VICE PRESIDENT
Ellen has almost 30 years of experience working with special needs infants at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City Utah.
About Ellen Lechtenberg
Ellen has almost 30 years of experience working with special needs infants at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City Utah. She is a Registered Dietitian with a MPH in Nutrition and most recently has been the manager of the Lactation Department and Intermountain Healthcare lactation expert where she led the corporate lactation team and worked to develop breastfeeding policies, protocols, patient education handouts and lactation education programs for healthcare professionals.
At Primary Children’s hospital, Ellen developed and managed the Mothers Milk Center which centralized human milk storage and preparation. Ellen has a passion for providing human milk for patients with nutritional challenges such as chylothorax and colitis. Her work on fat free human milk is published and has received national review. She has contributed to book chapters in Nutrition through the Lifecycle and was a CPE reviewer for the Infant and Pediatric Feedings: Guidelines for Preparation of Human Milk and Formula in Health Care Facilities.
Ellen has presented at local, state, and national meetings. She was a founding executive board member of the Mountain West Mothers Milk Bank in Utah and is currently an advisory board member on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Breastfeeding Registry Project. She has been on the Professional Advisory Committee for Gold Learning Neonatal 2022 conference and is currently a member of the Utah Women’s Health Coalition and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Maternal Child Health Affinity Group.
Jennifer Jones
SECRETARY
As a registered nurse, Jennifer Jones first learned about breastfeeding through La Leche League.
About Jennifer Jones
As a registered nurse, Jennifer Jones first learned about breastfeeding through La Leche League. As a La Leche League Leader (1987), Jennifer was mentored and introduced to the IBCLC profession. In 1993, Jennifer passed the IBLCE exam for the first of three times (2003, 2013) and opened her private practice. As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Jennifer has worked in both the hospital and community setting. Jennifer is a co-chair of the licensure committee for both the Florida Lactation Consultants Association (FLCA) and the Florida Breastfeeding Coalition (FBC). Jennifer is also a board member of the International Affiliation of Tongue Tied Professionals (IATP).
College level courses, lactation specific education, clinical practice hours, and passing a board exam differentiate the IBCLC from all others providing lactation education. As one of the founding members of NLCA, Jennifer sees the IBCLC profession growing like many other health professions have done in the past. Growing pains are a natural part of the early stages for a health profession as they set a standard to meet guidelines for providing effective clinical patient care. Becoming a Medicaid and private insurance reimbursable profession takes licensure in this great nation of ours. As a founder of NLCA and a board member, Jennifer is dedicated to advancing the IBCLC profession through licensure of all those who have clinical practice hours and pass the IBLCE exam.
Claire Eden
TREASURER
Claire Eden has been supporting breastfeeding families for over 20 years as a La Leche League Leader and has been an IBCLC® since 2009.
About Claire Eden
Claire Eden has been supporting breastfeeding families for over 20 years as a La Leche League Leader and has been an IBCLC® since 2009. She was among the first lactation consultants to be licensed in Georgia. She currently serves as the Director of the EPIC (Educating Physicians and Practices in their Communities) Breastfeeding Program at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Georgia Chapter.
Claire has served on the board of directors of several breastfeeding and maternal child health organizations in Georgia including the Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition. She has had a varied career in lactation, working at a pediatric practice, in private practice and at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in addition to the Georgia Chapter- AAP. Claire is a founding Board member of the National Lactation Consultant Alliance and serves as its Treasurer.
She and her husband are the proud parents of three daughters, and her family has enjoyed putting down roots in the Atlanta area for 20 years.
Tenise H. Hordge
CHAIR, FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
Dr. Tenise N. Hordge, IBCLC, RLC, is a highly accomplished healthcare professional with a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.
About Dr. Tenise N. Hordge, IBCLC, RLC
Dr. Tenise N. Hordge, IBCLC, RLC, is a highly accomplished healthcare professional with a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. With over 22 years of experience spanning corporate America, entrepreneurship, and the nonprofit sector, Dr. Hordge brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her work. She operates a private practice providing clinical lactation care in the southern Dallas-Fort Worth area.
In addition, Dr. Hordge serves as the founder and executive director of More MILK, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing and reducing Black maternal mortality and morbidity rates. Dr. Hordge is a passionate advocate for health equity, a devoted wife, and the proud mother of two young children.
Kim Welvaert
CHAIR, EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Kim Welvaert has been a proud lactavist since the age of 4, where she would breastfeed her stuffed animals out in public without a cover.
About Kim Welvaert
Kim Welvaert has been a proud lactavist since the age of 4, where she would breastfeed her stuffed animals out in public without a cover. Privileged to grow up surrounded by strong, proud lactating family members. Breastfeeding and human milk feeding was considered something to be honored and celebrated. Proudest accomplishment thus far in Kim’s life has been the ability to provide milk for over 4 years with her 2 sons despite several challenges and obstacles.
Kim graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1993 with a BSN in Nursing. Decided to focus her career on maternal child health by working in the following areas: inpatient (level 3 and 4 NICU, Pediatrics, Pediatric ICU, Mother/Baby Care, Lactation) and outpatient (Pediatrics, Lactation). Received her IBCLC in 1999 and obtained several other certifications along the way: RNC-MNN, RNC-NIC, CCRN (Neonatal), CLC. Currently working as a RN IBCLC at a level 3 NICU in Minnesota supporting lactating families.
Kim has volunteered her time and talents at the local (Central Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition and Western Wisconsin Breastfeeding Coalition), state (Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition, Wisconsin Association of Lactation Consultants, Wisconsin Breastfeeding Coalition), national (USLCA)and international (ILCA) levels. Volunteered for 7 years as a Leader with La Leche League. Facilitated mother/infant groups through work inpatient (NICU) and outpatient (Baby Cafe and hospital based). Kim founded the Tri-State Lactation Network (MN-ND-SD) in 2022 in efforts to become a USLCA chapter but due to lack of volunteer involvement this dissolved in 2024. Recognized by the Minnesota March of Dimes as Neonatal Nurse of the Year in 2021 and Distinguished Nurse of the Year in 2019.
Kim advocates daily on the need for more IBCLC professionals, which is why she wanted to volunteer with NLCA. Keep calm and latch on is her motto that can be applied to lactation but also life in general.
Leah Aldridge
CHAIR, MARKETING COMMITTEE
Leah Aldridge is a corporate attorney, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant®, small business owner and non-profit sector leader in Atlanta, Georgia.
About Leah Aldridge
Leah Aldridge is a corporate attorney, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant®, small business owner and non-profit sector leader in Atlanta, Georgia.
Graduating from the University of Virginia in 1990 and Emory University School of Law in 1993, Leah specialized in corporate and regulatory healthcare law for Morris, Manning and Martin, LLP until 2000. As a new mother in 2000, she saw many unmet needs and, therefore, opportunities to better the lives of Georgian families. She began non-profit Board service with Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia and led continuously for 20 years, including serving as HMHB’s Board President from 2015-2017. She became an IBCLC® in 2010 and co-founded Atlanta Breastfeeding Consultants, LLC, a clinic serving breastfeeding families in Sandy Springs, Georgia. She now leads the state by serving on the Secretary of State’s Georgia Lactation Consultant Advisory Group (2016-present). A recognized maternal and infant health expert, Leah has testified before the Georgia General Assembly and before federal regulatory committees numerous times over the past 10 years and was instrumental in passage of Georgia Lactation Consultant Practice Act in 2016.
Leah has won numerous local and national awards, including the ROSE award of the Junior League of Atlanta, Inc. in 2006 and the United States Lactation Consultant Association: National Award of Excellence in 2016. She has co-authored several published peer- reviewed lactation professional journal articles and is a founding Board Member of the National Lactation Consultant Alliance, Inc. Currently, she Chairs the State Advocacy Committee. She is the proud mother of three and loves to ski, run and cook!
Danielle Tropea
CHAIR, SOCIAL MEDIA
Danielle Tropea is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant based in Maplewood, NJ, dedicated to enhancing maternal-infant health through expert lactation support.
About Danielle Tropea
Danielle Tropea is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant based in Maplewood, NJ, dedicated to enhancing maternal-infant health through expert lactation support. Her approach emphasizes mental health and well-being, offering families personalized guidance for their unique breastfeeding journey.
Danielle holds an MPH in Community Health Education from Montclair State University, complementing her role as the NJ WIC State Breastfeeding Coordinator at the NJ Department of Health, where she provided leadership to ensure effective delivery of lactation services. She also has hands-on clinical experience from working in three North Jersey hospitals, offering specialized care for complex breastfeeding challenges.
As a mother of two breastfed children—her daughter recently started college, and her son began high school—Danielle’s personal experience fuels her dedication to empowering families with confidence and care.
Jessica Altemara
CO-CHAIR, CENTER FOR LACTATION EQUITY
Jessica has been invested in looking deeper into lasting outcomes for breastfeeding challenges for 15 years.
About Jessica Altemara
Jessica has been invested in looking deeper into lasting outcomes for breastfeeding challenges for 15 years. “Medically complicated”, herself, she has an appreciation for seeking answers for her favorite question: “Why?”. Her doula background added an appreciation for the importance of whole person approaches. She earned her IBCLC credential in 2009 and has a private practice in the Triangle area of North Carolina where she provides home visits and also works in a team to provide integrative care through the North Carolina Integrative Tongue Tie Center.
In a culmination of her doula background and passion for supporting breastfeeding, Jessica worked with a team to develop Bridge for Breastfeeding, a program for birth workers who wish to provide high quality prenatal education. Through these many collaborative efforts, Jessica is hopeful to see families more fully supported in all their postpartum needs. She also enjoys time with her husband and 4 children, ranging in age from 10 to 20, all of whom were breastfed, but none easily. In addition to being a dedicated Whovian, she’s also passionate about equity and
forming community connections.
Ario Pierre-Sutton
CO-CHAIR, CENTER FOR LACTATION EQUITY
Ario Pierre-Sutton is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and the Coordinator of the ALLURE Program at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.
About Ario Pierre-Sutton
Ario Pierre-Sutton is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and the Coordinator of the ALLURE Program at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. With a profound commitment to promoting equitable lactation care, she has dedicated her career to supporting families in Queens, New York, and beyond.
Her journey into lactation consultancy began after the birth of her oldest son, an experience that ignited her passion for maternal and infant health. Witnessing the challenges many mothers face in accessing proper lactation support, she became determined to make a difference. This personal experience fueled her desire to advocate for equitable care, ensuring that all families, regardless of their background, have access to the resources and support they need to successfully breastfeed.
In her role at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Ario oversees the ALLURE Program, a collaborative initiative funded by a grant in partnership with Breastfeeding Friendly NY. This program aims to enhance lactation support services and foster a community of informed and empowered breastfeeding families. Through education, mentorship, and advocacy, she works tirelessly to break down barriers to breastfeeding and promote the health benefits it provides for mothers and infants alike.
Ario’s dedication to her work and her community is evident in her ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the importance of lactation care in underserved areas. She actively participates in outreach initiatives, workshops, and training programs that aim to educate healthcare providers and the public about the critical role of breastfeeding in improving health outcomes.
Through her unwavering passion and commitment, Ario continues to be a beacon of support for families in Queens, helping to ensure that every mother has the opportunity to succeed in her breastfeeding journey.
Tinika Christopher
BOARD MEMBER, CENTER FOR LACTATION EQUITY
Tinika Christopher is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Certified Birth and Postpartum doula (DONA).
About Tinika Christopher
Tinika Christopher is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Certified Birth and Postpartum doula (DONA). She has always had a keen interest in Maternal and Child Health and being able to serve this vulnerable population has been at the forefront of her educational endeavors. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Psychology minor from the University of the Virgin Islands and a Masters in Public Health from Walden University.
To complete her master’s, she worked as a Public Health intern at Bronx Community Health Network. She was tasked with developing a breastfeeding incentive program for Healthy Start 2020 and other educational documents. She has a deep desire to serve and assist in any way she can to bridge the health gaps faced by our vulnerable populations and reduce the health disparities encountered by women. She completed her IBCLC clinical training at Jamacia Hospital Medical Center in 2022 and works as a Breastfeeding Coordinator at the Women’s Health Center. She sees herself creating change through constant education and support for families and possibly creating or enforcing already established programs and policies that advocate for women’s and child health.
Merrilee Gober BSN, RN, JD
EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBER
Merrilee is a registered nurse and attorney with several decades of experience in the maternal and infant healthcare arena.
About Merrilee Gober
Merrilee is a registered nurse and attorney with several decades of experience in the maternal and infant healthcare arena. She has practiced as an obstetrical nurse, a litigation attorney, an obstetrical medical practice manager, and a healthcare advocate.
She has served on numerous non-profit Boards, committees, and advisory groups including Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia (Board President, 2011-15), the Georgia Department of Community Health Low Birth Weight Workgroup (2012-17), the Georgia Maternal Mortality Review Committee (2012-17), the Medical Association of Georgia Alliance (Board President (2015-17), the American Medical Association Alliance (Representative to the AMA Council on Legislation (2021-present), the Georgia State University School of Public Health Board of Advisors (2014-present), and the Georgia Secretary of State Lactation Consultant Advisory Group (consumer member 2016-present).
Her advocacy was instrumental for the passage of the Georgia Lactation Consultant Practice Act. She is the author of the State of the State of Maternal and Infant Health in Georgia, a co-author of several peer-reviewed journal articles, and she has given dozens of presentations to physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals related to maternal and infant health.
Merrilee is married to a retired obstetrician. They have two grown sons and four granddaughters.
Center for Lactation Equity
The Center for Lactation Equity works toward strategies that will build an inclusive lactation community that understands, appreciates, and values equity, diversity, and cultural humility.
Center for Lactation Equity
The Center for Lactation Equity works toward strategies that will build an inclusive lactation community that understands, appreciates, and values equity, diversity, and cultural humility.
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