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 of the NLCA

Marsha Walker

PRESIDENT

Marsha Walker is a registered nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC®).

Ellen Lechtenberg, Vice President of the NLCA

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.

Jennifer Jones, Secretary for the NLCA

Jennifer Jones

SECRETARY

As a registered nurse, Jennifer Jones first learned about breastfeeding through La Leche League.

Claire Eden, Treasurer of the NLCA

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.

headshot of Dr. Tenise N. Hordge, IBCLC, RLC

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.

headshot of Kim Welvaert

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.

Leah Aldridge, Board Member of the NLCA

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.

headshot of Danielle Tropea

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.

Jessica Altemara, Board Member of the NLCA

Jessica Altemara

CO-CHAIR, CENTER FOR LACTATION EQUITY

Jessica has been invested in looking deeper into lasting outcomes for breastfeeding challenges for 15 years.

headshot of Ario Pierre-Sutton

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.

headshot of Tinika Christopher

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).

Merrilee Gober, Ex-Officio Board Member of the NLCA

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.

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

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

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.

NLCA resources

The latest lactation information at your fingertips.

The latest lactation information at your fingertips.

Lactation news

Lactation publications

NLCA newsletter

The latest lactation information at your fingertips.