Stephanie Hutchinson, MBA, BS, IBCLC - Founder and President
Stephanie Hutchinson (pronouns: she/her/hers) is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and International Public Speaker who lives in southeastern Ohio - specifically Gallipolis, Ohio - with her wife and two daughters. She began her journey into the lactation field in 2007, after the birth of her first daughter. Starting as a WIC Breastfeeding Peer, Stephanie continued to pursue education and certifications, with hopes to mentor young, diverse lactation folx in Appalachia. Stephanie holds three degrees: AA in Communications, BS in Leadership with a Concentration in Maternal Child Health: Lactation Consulting, and MBA in Entrepreneurship with a Concentration on Non-Profit Leadership.
Stephanie earned her CLS (Certified Lactation Specialist) in 2012 and her CLC (Certified Lactation Counselor) in 2013. She sat for the IBLCE in July 2015, to find out she passed and earned the credential of IBCLC in October 2015. Stephanie currently works as the Education Manager for Pediatric Products and owns a private practice in lactation consulting, Rainbow Mountain Lactation. She also works for Lactation Education Consultants as an instructor and media manager and is the Hotline Administrator for Appalachian Breastfeeding Network. Stephanie has presented to many different conferences and symposiums across the world and is also available to present on various Appalachian-centered and LGBTQIA2S+ lactation topics at conferences, meetings, or educational sessions. For more information click here.
It is Stephanie's mission, along with the help and guidance of many influential colleagues, to make equitable change in her state, as well as all of Appalachia. Her key focuses are on inclusivity, equitable access to lactation care, and diversification of what the lactation field looks like and how it will continue to grow. She believes in mentoring young aspiring lactation professionals to help them tap into their own strengths and skills, while also working to change policies and structures that are currently not conducive to empowering young folx to desire to enter the lactation field.
In May of 2016, Stephanie founded Appalachian Breastfeeding Network, dreaming that one day our parents would have the access to lactation care that they deserve. In just one year, the network grew to 11 states and 250 members. By 5 years, the network continued to grow to over 600 members across all 13 states in Appalachia - and beyond! Appalachian Breastfeeding Network continues to grow in its membership, its capacity, and its visibility. Stephanie received an award in March 2017 at Ohio Lactation Consultant Association's Annual "Breastfest" Conference as an "Outstanding Innovation as a Cultural Change Agent" and at this conference ABN received a $1,000 grant to help fund the 1st Annual Appalachian Breastfeeding Conference in October of 2017. ABN has been featured as USBC's June Coalition Spotlight in June 2017 and achieved 501(c)3 status in June 2017 as well. She received the "Emerging Leader Award" from USBC in August 2018. The first listed cultural coalition under USBC continues to grow as Stephanie, along with the rest of the board, works diligently to increase equitable access to care. Stephanie was awarded the 2019 Terry Jo Curtis Award from the United States Lactation Consultant Association for her work with equity and increasing access to care in Appalachia. Stephanie is also OutCare Certified, after completing an inclusivity competency training in 2019.
Stephanie is the ABN Member-At-Large to Ohio Breastfeeding Alliance and Ohio Lactation Consultant Association. She also serves as Vice Chair for Ohio Breastfeeding Alliance. Stephanie previously served as an Elected Board Director for the United States Breastfeeding Committee as well as many other positions on both regional and state organizational boards.
When not busy with the above, Stephanie enjoys being a wife and mother, traveling (especially to Disney World!), and jigsaw puzzles.
Stephanie earned her CLS (Certified Lactation Specialist) in 2012 and her CLC (Certified Lactation Counselor) in 2013. She sat for the IBLCE in July 2015, to find out she passed and earned the credential of IBCLC in October 2015. Stephanie currently works as the Education Manager for Pediatric Products and owns a private practice in lactation consulting, Rainbow Mountain Lactation. She also works for Lactation Education Consultants as an instructor and media manager and is the Hotline Administrator for Appalachian Breastfeeding Network. Stephanie has presented to many different conferences and symposiums across the world and is also available to present on various Appalachian-centered and LGBTQIA2S+ lactation topics at conferences, meetings, or educational sessions. For more information click here.
It is Stephanie's mission, along with the help and guidance of many influential colleagues, to make equitable change in her state, as well as all of Appalachia. Her key focuses are on inclusivity, equitable access to lactation care, and diversification of what the lactation field looks like and how it will continue to grow. She believes in mentoring young aspiring lactation professionals to help them tap into their own strengths and skills, while also working to change policies and structures that are currently not conducive to empowering young folx to desire to enter the lactation field.
In May of 2016, Stephanie founded Appalachian Breastfeeding Network, dreaming that one day our parents would have the access to lactation care that they deserve. In just one year, the network grew to 11 states and 250 members. By 5 years, the network continued to grow to over 600 members across all 13 states in Appalachia - and beyond! Appalachian Breastfeeding Network continues to grow in its membership, its capacity, and its visibility. Stephanie received an award in March 2017 at Ohio Lactation Consultant Association's Annual "Breastfest" Conference as an "Outstanding Innovation as a Cultural Change Agent" and at this conference ABN received a $1,000 grant to help fund the 1st Annual Appalachian Breastfeeding Conference in October of 2017. ABN has been featured as USBC's June Coalition Spotlight in June 2017 and achieved 501(c)3 status in June 2017 as well. She received the "Emerging Leader Award" from USBC in August 2018. The first listed cultural coalition under USBC continues to grow as Stephanie, along with the rest of the board, works diligently to increase equitable access to care. Stephanie was awarded the 2019 Terry Jo Curtis Award from the United States Lactation Consultant Association for her work with equity and increasing access to care in Appalachia. Stephanie is also OutCare Certified, after completing an inclusivity competency training in 2019.
Stephanie is the ABN Member-At-Large to Ohio Breastfeeding Alliance and Ohio Lactation Consultant Association. She also serves as Vice Chair for Ohio Breastfeeding Alliance. Stephanie previously served as an Elected Board Director for the United States Breastfeeding Committee as well as many other positions on both regional and state organizational boards.
When not busy with the above, Stephanie enjoys being a wife and mother, traveling (especially to Disney World!), and jigsaw puzzles.
Mishelle Trescott, RN, IBCLC, PMH-C - Vice President
Mishelle Trescott (she/her), RN, IBCLC was born in San Diego, California. Her family traveled a lot and settled down for almost five years in Zanesville, Ohio, where she graduated from high school and joined the U.S Army as an active duty soldier. She became a National Registered Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B). She had trained and mastered giving care in extreme circumstances. After her active military service, she continued with Reserve services and went back to school to receive her Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) certification. As an LPN, she was able to gain experiences as a telemetry technician and critical care nurse on a critical care step down unit, emergency room care, scrub technician and care nurse on a labor and delivery unit. As she went back to school to further her nursing degree, she gave birth to her first child. She had a very hard breastfeeding experience and was unable to meet her personal goal. She also failed out of school as she became pregnant for the second time. After her second child was six months old, she went back to school and was offered a position as a WIC breastfeeding peer helper. She had the opportunity to gain knowledge from the Lactation Consultant she worked with and through school. The most knowledge she could gain came from her second experience as a breastfeeding mother, because she was very successful. Mishelle successfully completed the IBCLC in 2018.
"As a WIC Peer helper I wanted to give mothers the same education and hope to succeed at achieving her breastfeeding goals. I have worked as a peer helper for six years, gaining certification as a certified lactation specialist. I have had many opportunities through experience and training to advance my counseling skills. I am hoping to complete my Bachelors of Science degree within the next year as well as move towards receiving my qualifications to sit for the certified health educator board. I am excited to help the Appalachian Breastfeeding Network to succeed with the mission and goals. I am honored to have been appointed Vice President and will do all I can to devote my time and passion towards this growing and dynamic group."
"As a WIC Peer helper I wanted to give mothers the same education and hope to succeed at achieving her breastfeeding goals. I have worked as a peer helper for six years, gaining certification as a certified lactation specialist. I have had many opportunities through experience and training to advance my counseling skills. I am hoping to complete my Bachelors of Science degree within the next year as well as move towards receiving my qualifications to sit for the certified health educator board. I am excited to help the Appalachian Breastfeeding Network to succeed with the mission and goals. I am honored to have been appointed Vice President and will do all I can to devote my time and passion towards this growing and dynamic group."
Jeanna Spears, BS, IBCLC - Secretary and Librarian
Jeanna (she/her) was the breastfeeding peer helper at Gallia County WIC in Gallipolis, Ohio from December 2015-December 2017. She is now the Lactation Consultant for Holzer Health System in Gallipolis, OH. She received her Certified Lactation Specialist (CLS) in 2017. She is the mother to a wonderful little boy who was breastfed for 3 1/2 years, named Ethan. Jeanna's passion for breastfeeding started when she became a mother and has not stopped even though her son has stopped breastfeeding. She is currently the secretary for Appalachian Breastfeeding Network and helped start the organization with Stephanie Carroll. Jeanna successfully obtained her IBCLC in 2018. Jeanna graduated from Union Institute and University with a Bachelor of Science in 2019.
Dyan Van Sickle, DTR, IBCLC - Treasurer
Dyan Van Sickle (she/her) works for the Athens/Perry County WIC program in Ohio as a Health Professional and Breastfeeding Coordinator. Dyan is from Hocking County, OH where she resides with her husband and enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren.
"When I first started working for the WIC program, I didn’t know much about breastfeeding. After a year of working with breastfeeding moms, I felt a desire to learn more. My training in the field of lactation began when I got an opportunity to take the CLC course. During the training, I learned a great deal about breastfeeding and felt that if moms were better informed and educated, they would be able to make better choices when it came to feeding their babies. This training planted a seed, and since then all I have wanted to do is further my education in the field of lactation so I can assist mothers who choose to breastfeed. I have since gone on to become the Breastfeeding Coordinator in our WIC clinic, and also have the privilege of being a member of several wonderful groups that advocate for breastfeeding, such as the Southeast Ohio Breastfeeding Coalition (SEOBC) and the Appalachian Breastfeeding Network (ABN), which I am currently the treasurer of. In 2017, I became certified as an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). I am excited to see what the future holds for me in this wonderful journey of providing support and education in the expanding field of lactation."
"When I first started working for the WIC program, I didn’t know much about breastfeeding. After a year of working with breastfeeding moms, I felt a desire to learn more. My training in the field of lactation began when I got an opportunity to take the CLC course. During the training, I learned a great deal about breastfeeding and felt that if moms were better informed and educated, they would be able to make better choices when it came to feeding their babies. This training planted a seed, and since then all I have wanted to do is further my education in the field of lactation so I can assist mothers who choose to breastfeed. I have since gone on to become the Breastfeeding Coordinator in our WIC clinic, and also have the privilege of being a member of several wonderful groups that advocate for breastfeeding, such as the Southeast Ohio Breastfeeding Coalition (SEOBC) and the Appalachian Breastfeeding Network (ABN), which I am currently the treasurer of. In 2017, I became certified as an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). I am excited to see what the future holds for me in this wonderful journey of providing support and education in the expanding field of lactation."
Kate Tuttle, BS, IBCLC - Membership Chair
Kate Tuttle (she/her) is a mother of a wonderful five year old son, Bennett. She has lived her entire life in Southeastern Ohio. Most recently in Racine, OH, the heart of Appalachia. When she started on her breastfeeding journey, she was a lone traveler. She had a husband and mother who were nothing short of great cheerleaders, although just as uneducated as she felt she was. Her mom never breastfed Kate or her siblings because “you just didn’t do that then. Doctors didn’t ever talk about it. They sent you home with formula and told you congratulations”. She had to learn on her own how to navigate through the sometimes rocky terrain. But she made it! She breastfed her son for 15 months and followed his self-weaning cues. She believes breastfeeding education is important in normalizing breastfeeding. The more women who view breastfeeding as the biological norm and the more they are encouraged to do it, the more common it will become. Kate successfully obtained her IBCLC in 2018. Kate received the Cultural Changemaker Award from the United States Breastfeeding Committee in 2019.
Crystal Lovett, RN, BS, IBCLC, CLC, CLS, BFPC, Doula - Equity Committee Chair
Crystal Lovett (she/her) is a West Virginia native and the mother of two breastfed children. She is also a registered nurse, WIC Peer Counselor, doula, and owner of Mocha Milk in the Mountains LLC, which was born out of a passion to help families, with a focus on families of color, in pregnancy, birth, lactation and human milk feeding, and parenting.
Crystal earned a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences from Marshall University in 2002. In 2012, at the age of 32, she graduated cum laude from Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College with an Associate Degree in Nursing. After 8 years in the nursing field, Crystal joined the Valley Health WIC Program as a Peer Counselor with a goal of becoming an IBCLC. Since joining the WIC Program, she has become a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and Certified Lactation Specialist (CLS) and earned her goal of IBCLC. To the best of her knowledge, she will be the first Black IBCLC in the state of West Virginia. In addition to this goal, she plans to become a Family Nurse Practitioner to help foster continuity of care for lactating families and potentially increase compliance when medical treatment is needed for lactation challenges. Crystal is a Hotline Operator for the Appalachian Breastfeeding Network Breastfeeding Hotline.
“I’ve known since I was pregnant with my son, who is now 15, that I wanted to be involved in working with pregnant and breastfeeding families. It was not until I was pregnant with my daughter, now 2, that I started seriously considering how I would get involved with perinatal and breastfeeding work. In 2021, we continue to see disparities and systemic racism in all aspects of life, including the perinatal period, infant feeding practices, and parenting. My hope for our communities is that all families, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, class, ability, or religion, will receive the equitable care and support needed and deserved to have healthy and safe pregnancies, deliveries, and parenting experiences. This care includes not only the medical aspect, but also the mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of the families. Our need for this support does not go away in the midst of a pandemic; therefore, now more than ever it is important to reach our communities. For the last several years, we have seen more and more inequities in all aspects of life being highlighted, including in our healthcare system. Our communities need us and I look forward to being one of hopefully many that help normalize breastfeeding/chestfeeding in our culture and lead us to better outcomes for families.”
Crystal earned a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences from Marshall University in 2002. In 2012, at the age of 32, she graduated cum laude from Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College with an Associate Degree in Nursing. After 8 years in the nursing field, Crystal joined the Valley Health WIC Program as a Peer Counselor with a goal of becoming an IBCLC. Since joining the WIC Program, she has become a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and Certified Lactation Specialist (CLS) and earned her goal of IBCLC. To the best of her knowledge, she will be the first Black IBCLC in the state of West Virginia. In addition to this goal, she plans to become a Family Nurse Practitioner to help foster continuity of care for lactating families and potentially increase compliance when medical treatment is needed for lactation challenges. Crystal is a Hotline Operator for the Appalachian Breastfeeding Network Breastfeeding Hotline.
“I’ve known since I was pregnant with my son, who is now 15, that I wanted to be involved in working with pregnant and breastfeeding families. It was not until I was pregnant with my daughter, now 2, that I started seriously considering how I would get involved with perinatal and breastfeeding work. In 2021, we continue to see disparities and systemic racism in all aspects of life, including the perinatal period, infant feeding practices, and parenting. My hope for our communities is that all families, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, class, ability, or religion, will receive the equitable care and support needed and deserved to have healthy and safe pregnancies, deliveries, and parenting experiences. This care includes not only the medical aspect, but also the mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of the families. Our need for this support does not go away in the midst of a pandemic; therefore, now more than ever it is important to reach our communities. For the last several years, we have seen more and more inequities in all aspects of life being highlighted, including in our healthcare system. Our communities need us and I look forward to being one of hopefully many that help normalize breastfeeding/chestfeeding in our culture and lead us to better outcomes for families.”
Monique Hutchinson, CLS - Publicity Chair
Monique Hutchinson (she/her/hers) lives in Gallipolis, OH with her wife and two daughters. In 2020, Monique took the Certified Lactation Specialist course, hosted by Appalachian Breastfeeding Network. Monique has extensive experience with social media, hoping to bring more presence of Appalachia to the various social media outlets available. Monique is passionate about bringing awareness of intersectionality to Appalachia, as a Black LGBTQ+ Appalachian herself. Monique has lived in Appalachia her entire life, often growing up the only POC in the room. She remembers only once having a teacher that looked like her, and he happened to be her preacher at church as well. Culture is very important to her, with a distinct emphasis that Appalachia, too, is a culture. She believes in the mission of Appalachian Breastfeeding Network: to bring more access to care in our region. She is excited to serve as Publicity Chair to Appalachian Breastfeeding Network.
Carley Buzzard, CLS - Content Creator
Carley (she/her/hers) is a mother of two kids and breastfed her babies into toddlerhood. Through her own challenges with breastfeeding, came her love and passion for helping other families meet their breastfeeding goals and work through challenges. She has worked as a WIC peer helper for 6 years which gave great opportunity to advance her counseling skills and lactation education. She gained her CLS in 2020 and started working as an ABN hotline operator in 2021. She very much loves to talk, listen and help people by sharing information, and more importantly to give support and encouragement as that’s usually what families need the most but get the least of. She also holds a certification in cat loving and coffee drinking! In her free time she likes to paint, do anything arts and crafts, and spend time with the people she loves.
Mendy Roudebush, BS, RD, IBCLC - Continuing Education Chair
Mendy (she/her) started her lactation career in 2002 working for the Marion County WIC programs as their breastfeeding coordinator. At WIC, she assisted the WIC staff with breastfeeding education and taught them how to incorporate this knowledge when working with families. She started a drop-in clinic in Marion County. In 2005, she became an IBCLC. After her WIC experience, she went from outpatient lactation to inpatient lactation. In 2005, she joined the lactation department at Community North Hospital in Indianapolis IN where they are proud to claim that they are the number one delivering hospital in the state of Indiana for the last 5 years doing over 3500 deliveries a year. She still works at Community North and she also has works supplemental at Riverview Health Hospital in Noblesville, IN. From 2007 to 2011, she also worked supplemental St. Vincent Womens hospital in Indianapolis. She feels that by working at different hospitals she has gained a knowledge of how to see lactation in different stages in the hospital network and has learned how to help advance the knowledge of breastfeeding to staff and administration. Mendy has worked with moms and babies in several areas of lactation. She has worked postpartum, the NICU, the SCN, support group, assisted in staff breastfeeding education, teaches Breastfeeding Basics Class, and is a member of the Community Hospitals Breastfeeding Council. Mendy helped to begin one of the things she loves most about being a lactation consultant, mother and baby support group. She started this weekly breastfeeding support group 15 years ago and has been running this group since then. Support group is very special to her not only enjoying connecting with the moms and babys but also working with mothers and babies to achieve their breastfeeding goals.
Melanie Hall, DTR, CLC - Webinar Coordinator
Melanie Hall (she, her, hers) is a Certified Lactation Counselor and a Registered Dietetic Technician. She lives in Meigs County, Ohio, just north of the river. She lives with her fiancé and her three children. She started her breastfeeding journey back In 1995 when she started working for the Hocking County Women Infants and Children (WIC) office, where she became the breastfeeding coordinator. After several years of working for WIC, she moved out west. Settling down in Arizona where she worked for The Mayo Clinic and Children's Hospital of Phoenix. During her time there, she had her first child and her personal breastfeeding experience began. After returning to Ohio, and two more babies later, all three of her children were breastfed for a combined breastfeeding time of three years and six months.
In addition to her work with Appalachian Breastfeeding Network, Melanie currently works at a community hospital in West Virginia. She is the Director of Food & Nutrition, assessing patients' nutritional needs, consulting with outpatient families, and addressing the breastfeeding concerns of young parents. Melanie is currently enrolled at West Virginia University, furthering her growth through continuing education.
In addition to her work with Appalachian Breastfeeding Network, Melanie currently works at a community hospital in West Virginia. She is the Director of Food & Nutrition, assessing patients' nutritional needs, consulting with outpatient families, and addressing the breastfeeding concerns of young parents. Melanie is currently enrolled at West Virginia University, furthering her growth through continuing education.
Ophelia Griffin, CLC - Alabama Representative
Ophelia Griffin, CLC, is a mother of two boys and Certified Lactation Counselor since July 2018.She became a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor through ROSE(Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere) in 2017, after realizing that there was a huge diversity difference in the lactation field. Her own breastfeeding experience sparked a fire within to begin to educate her community on how important breastfeeding is. She also became heavily interested in Maternal Health, and the important of informed consent within the medical community. She hosts a monthly breastfeeding support group for POC and is the organizer of Mocha Milk Mamas created in May of 2018. Their main purpose is to empower and educate black mothers on the benefits of breastfeeding.
Miranda Fischer - Georgia Representative
Miranda (she/her) is a mother of five with a passion for supporting families! She is a prior a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), WIC Certified Breastfeeding Peer Counselor as well as Birth, Postpartum & Bereavement Doula. She began getting involved with her community by hosting local breastfeeding events like The Global Big Latch On, volunteering with the March Of Dimes, serving on the planning committee for the March For Babies, and even worked with the city of Jacksonville, NC to get their local Freedom Fountain lit purple annually for World Prematurity Day. She now resides in North Georgia where she hopes to find more ways to reach her community. In her spare time Miranda enjoys spending time with her family, thrift shopping, watching Friends reruns and drinking herself into debt at every coffee house she can find. Miranda served as the ABN Media Chair from 2018-2019. Miranda has previously served as ABN Georgia Alternate from 2018-2021 and Georgia Representative from 2021-2023. She is excited to serve another term.
Audrey K. Thompson, BBA, RN, IBCLC, Licensed LC, CCE, CLPD, IME-C - Georgia Alternate
Audrey K. Thompson, BBA, RN, IBCLC, Licensed LC, CCE, CLPD, IME-C is a Women's Services RN and Residency Director in Atlanta, Georgia. A previous Book Review Associate Editor for the Journal of Human Lactation, she frequently publishes opinion pieces and reviews, speaks at conferences about breastfeeding, childbirth and ethics topics, and educates families and future IBCLCs. A leader and member of many lactation, childbirth, and family focused organizations, Audrey advocates for children with special needs and families everywhere, both professionally and in volunteer capacities. She served as the inaugural Executive Director of the national Center for Lactation Equity, and is currently President of the Southeastern Lactation Consultant Association, the Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition’s Board liaison to the United States Breastfeeding Committee, and sits on the Board of the Georgia Perinatal Association. Audrey is passionate about advocating for increasing equity and access to quality, evidence-based and intuition-guided childbirth and lactation care.
Shelby Palazzo, CBC - Kentucky Representative
Shelby Palazzo was raised in Ohio and recently moved to Eastern Kentucky. She joined the Air Force in 2012 and met her husband, Stephen in 2015. Shelby moved and lived in Rhode Island with her husband, and two step daughters, until she became pregnant. Shelby and her family moved back to Ohio in 2021 so she could have a home birth! It was through this experience that Shelby realized her passion for birth work and lactation care. Through her own struggles with breastfeeding and talking with peers, Shelby quickly understood there was a severe lack of resources and education for breastfeeding mothers. She became a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor and Birth Doula in 2021- ultimately pursing an IBCLC. Her passion and goal is to bring more education and resources to the Appalachian communities.
Carol Bass, IBCLC - Maryland Representative
Carol Bass has been Board Certified as an IBCLC for 26 years. She was the WIC Coordinator in Garrett County, Maryland for forty years. In that position she provided clinical support for breastfeeding families, and promoted breastfeeding in the community and Health Department. She assisted staff to obtain the IBCLC credential to expand services in the county. She also assisted the state office in conducting breastfeeding trainings and participated in USDA's promotional video on Community Support and Partnerships.
Jacqueline Lambert, CLC, CCE, CD - Mississippi Representative
My name is Jacqueline Lambert. I am the mother of 3 and a wife with a passion to serve/support expectant and breastfeeding mothers. I am a Certified Lactation Counselor, Certified Childbirth Educator and Doula. I work with the Mississippi State Department of Health WIC Breastfeeding Program as a Peer Counselor 3. I have been working with expectant families for over 12 years. My goal is to empower expectant mothers and their families and give them the necessary tools to make an informed decision concerning their Infant Feeding decisions.
I helped facilitate the first Baby Café in Mississippi. I am Lead Facilitator of the cluster site- Delta Baby Café-Let’s Talk. I also host Let’s Talk classes, teen parent sessions, baby fairs and breastfeeding support groups throughout the community. I am also a member of several coalitions that advocate for breastfeeding.
In my spare time I love reading, and watching reruns of Andy Griffith show.
I helped facilitate the first Baby Café in Mississippi. I am Lead Facilitator of the cluster site- Delta Baby Café-Let’s Talk. I also host Let’s Talk classes, teen parent sessions, baby fairs and breastfeeding support groups throughout the community. I am also a member of several coalitions that advocate for breastfeeding.
In my spare time I love reading, and watching reruns of Andy Griffith show.
Rebecca Costello, MPH, IBCLC - New York Representative
Rebecca began her lactation journey with her undergraduate senior thesis, evaluating a WIC breastfeeding education program. After working as a doula and childbirth educator, she decided to pursue a Master’s in Public Health, in Maternal and Child Health, from the University of North Carolina. There, she was also in the first class of the Mary Rose Tully Training Initiative, a Pathway 2 IBCLC training program. Following graduation, Rebecca worked full time as an IBCLC at University of North Carolina Women's Hospital. She then became the Director of Lactation Services at Women's Birth and Wellness Center, a freestanding birth center in North Carolina. After making the move from NC to NY, she has set up a private practice and continues to work with new families. She has also been active in research, presenting at lactation conferences and publishing several articles. She has been active in the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition in the past, and is excited to get involved with coalition work again.
Lillian Scott, MS, CCC-SLP, IBCLC - North Carolina Representative
Lillian Scott, M.S., CCC-SLP, IBCLC (pronouns: she, her, hers)is a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). While completing her master’s degree at Gallaudet University she discovered a passion for swallowing and dysphagia in the adult and pediatric population. Curiosity regarding infant feeding practices in the NICU, bias in support of breast/chestfeeding, and wonderful mentors lead her to pursue knowledge and skills in lactation. She enjoys working with families in the inpatient and outpatient setting, completing Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies, and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Examinations of Swallowing. Lillian strives to foster increased collaboration between the fields of SLP and IBCLCs. She is privileged to be a team member in the Lactation Feeding Clinic at UNC that supports families whose infants have complex feeding issues and families desire to offer human milk and breast/chestfeed. She was the Kentucky State Representative for ABN from April 2017-2019. When she is not supporting, protecting, and promoting breast/chestfeeding, Lillian enjoys camping, hiking, and adventure in the mountains.
Jayne Carpenter, CBS, BFPC - North Carolina Alternate
Jayne Carpenter, she/her, lives and works in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with her family. She has been in Buncombe county since 2010 and has one fascinating daughter who has nursed for over five years. Their feeding relationship continues to activate Jayne’s curiosity and commitment to humanized perinatal care and creative infant feeding support. Jayne is the oldest of five children who were raised in rural South Carolina. Many of her early caregivers were passionate storytellers who encouraged her learning in nature, connecting with her instincts, and creating collaborative, trusting relationships. She is always seeking to learn more about cross-cultural experiences of childbirth, reproductive mental health, parenting, and feeding practices. These aspects of life motivate her to understand different views of embodied feeding, domestic care work and ultimately, the social-ecological systems unique to the region where she lives. Before moving to western North Carolina, Jayne was in Watauga county for seven years and studied literature and visual art at Appalachian State University. She has worked in childcare, service industry, and veterinary care.
As a Certified Breast/Bodyfeeding Specialist and perinatal mental health-trained peer counselor, Jayne owns a location-independent private practice. She has the privilege of traveling through surrounding counties for home visits where she focuses on timely, affirming care as families mobilize to meet their infant feeding goals. Jayne is involved with her local breast/bodyfeeding coalition and the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition. Her first formal lactation-specific training was as an Outpatient Breastfeeding Champion through the IABLE and with the NCDHHS breastfeeding peer counselor training before certifying as a CBS. She is working towards the IBCLC credential and received a scholarship from the Triangle Breastfeeding Alliance (Raleigh, NC) in 2021 to continue her education with NC State’s MILK Research and Education group. She is currently working to complete a clinical internship in 2023 and has a special interest in early term infants and infant feeding in emergencies. Jayne wholeheartedly believes in the ABN’s dedication to eliminating barriers to care, first food justice, education, and empowerment. She is inspired by her mentors close and distant, the little humans in her life, the families she learns from, and everyone who nourishes them. In her down time, Jayne is most likely playing with her daughter and running around outside.
As a Certified Breast/Bodyfeeding Specialist and perinatal mental health-trained peer counselor, Jayne owns a location-independent private practice. She has the privilege of traveling through surrounding counties for home visits where she focuses on timely, affirming care as families mobilize to meet their infant feeding goals. Jayne is involved with her local breast/bodyfeeding coalition and the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition. Her first formal lactation-specific training was as an Outpatient Breastfeeding Champion through the IABLE and with the NCDHHS breastfeeding peer counselor training before certifying as a CBS. She is working towards the IBCLC credential and received a scholarship from the Triangle Breastfeeding Alliance (Raleigh, NC) in 2021 to continue her education with NC State’s MILK Research and Education group. She is currently working to complete a clinical internship in 2023 and has a special interest in early term infants and infant feeding in emergencies. Jayne wholeheartedly believes in the ABN’s dedication to eliminating barriers to care, first food justice, education, and empowerment. She is inspired by her mentors close and distant, the little humans in her life, the families she learns from, and everyone who nourishes them. In her down time, Jayne is most likely playing with her daughter and running around outside.
Nikki Lee, RN, BSN, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI, ANLC, CKC - Tennessee Representative
After 47 years of work, I have relocated to Madison, Tennessee and look forward to serving the community. Starting in 1971 as a LPN, I’ve worked in childbirth education and doula programs, clinics, homes, city and county health departments, hospitals, intensive care units, medical schools, and universities. I’ve worked in person and virtually. I am a nurse (RN), a lactation consultant (ANLC and IBCLC), a bodyworker, a public speaker, an author and a teacher. I use aromatherapy, craniosacral therapy, homeopathy, integrative positional therapy and yoga. I love to help mothers and babies and families with breastfeeding. I love teaching classes of healthcare workers. I love promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding in every way possible.
Heather Hutton, BSN, RN, IBCLC, CCMI - Tennessee Alternate
Heather (she/her) is a private practice lactation consultant and the owner of Optimal Nurturing in Bristol, Tennessee. She grew up in Northeast Tennessee and has lived in the region her entire life. She attended East Tennessee State University and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2012. Heather has been an IBCLC since 2014 and also has experience as a registered nurse in neonatal intensive care, labor and delivery, postpartum couplet care, operating room care, and as a home visiting nurse for a national perinatal case management program where first-time, low-income families received a private nurse from pregnancy through their child's second birthday. In addition to being a registered lactation consultant and nurse, Heather is also a certified case manager and a lactation consultant exam prep writer. Her professional passions are lactation education for parents and professionals, perinatal mental health, and first-time parents.
Cassandra Brickey, RN, IBCLC - Virginia Representative
Cassandra "Cassie '' Brickey (she/her) is an RN, IBCLC in private practice. She serves the Appalachian Highlands region of Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee Cassie is a native of Southwest Virginia and began her career in health care as an LPN in a pediatrician's office over 20 years ago. Because of this background, she knew how important breastfeeding was, but she was unaware of how difficult such a natural process could be. When her son was born the decision to start breastfeeding was easy, their journey however was a learning experience. After a rocky start, Cassie was determined to learn how to overcome their stumbling blocks. So she spent a lot of time reading, learning, and working through their issues. The more she learned the more passionate she became about sharing this knowledge and supporting other families. She became an IBCLC in 2013 and feels it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her career.
Cassie graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mountain Empire Community College in May 2021 where she received an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Nursing. She believes that learning is a lifelong endeavor and is pursuing additional education in women’s nutrition and wellness. Cassie also volunteers with a local homeschool co-op as well as a local health coalition. “It is a privilege to positively impact the health of families and to help others take charge of their own wellness.”
Cassie graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mountain Empire Community College in May 2021 where she received an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Nursing. She believes that learning is a lifelong endeavor and is pursuing additional education in women’s nutrition and wellness. Cassie also volunteers with a local homeschool co-op as well as a local health coalition. “It is a privilege to positively impact the health of families and to help others take charge of their own wellness.”
V. Katherine Wilson-Thompson, IBCLC, RLC - Virginia Alternate
Katherine (she/her) is an IBCLC and LLL Leader in Appalachian Virginia. "My lactation support journey spans 20+ years. I started my journey in lactation when I successfully breastfed my youngest after feeling like I failed miserably with my oldest. I began as a WIC Peer Counselor, continuing to work for WIC as I became a La Leche League Leader. After spending many years supporting families through WIC and LLL, I sat for the Exam and became an IBCLC. I now continue supporting breastfeeding families through my private practice in Bristol VA as well as supporting VA WIC families by working in WIC administration at the state level. I feel a deep need to work at all levels of lactation support. It is fulfilling to know that I am part of the big picture solution as well as the individual family solution. One without the other, just isn't enough!"
Joni Gray, Ed. D., MA, BA, CLC, CLS - West Virginia Representative
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Joni Gray (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Mass Communication, specializing in Health Communication, at Alderson Broaddus University. Joni is a generational native of WV where she has birthed and nourished 8 children of her own, worked as a peer breastfeeding counselor for WV WIC, completed dissertation research focusing on Appalachian culture and breastfeeding decisions, and shared her experiences and those of other WV moms at various conference presentations and symposiums. Joni is a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) through the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice, a Certified Lactation Specialist and has completed advanced lactation management courses. Dr. Gray volunteers with the Appalachian Breastfeeding Network Breastfeeding Hotline; she is a member of the Appalachian Breastfeeding Network (ABN), West Virginia Breastfeeding Alliance (WVBA), the Ohio Lactation Consultant Association (OLCA), and is a La Leche League Leader (LLL). Joni serves as a La Leche League Alliance representative to USBC and was recently chosen as the Area Coordinator of Leaders (ACL) for Ohio LLL. Dr. Gray approaches maternal child health and the choice to breastfeed as a social justice issue and woks passionately to improve access to optimal healthcare and health choice in Appalachia. Joni has been the WV Alternate for ABN from 2017-2021. Joni has also been a Hotline Operator for ABN's 24 Hour Breastfeeding Hotline and a speaker for ABN multiple times. This is Joni's second term as West Virginia Representative.