Tia Ajao, MPH, RN, IBCLC

Tia has 20 years of Maternal-Child Public Health Engagement, with certifications as an RN IBCLC, a Maternal-Newborn Nurse, a Doula, & a Lamaze Educator.

April Anderson, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC

April is a Speech Language Pathologist and Feeding Specialist with a special interest in working with infant feeding challenges and child feeding disorders. April has worked with infants and children of all ages both at home and in the clinic with feeding and swallowing issues such as accepting different textures, transitioning to solids, oral motor difficulties, and children diagnosed with tongue ties, as well as infants with special needs like cleft palate, feeding tubes, autism, and children with Down syndrome.

Gina Boling, IBCLC (clinical director)

Gina provides practical, caring and non-judgmental support on your breastfeeding journey . She understands the early days of parenting can be overwhelming and will help you develop a plan that works for you to help you meet YOUR goals. Gina has advanced training in oral function, and is skilled at working with families who are having difficulty with latch, nipple pain, slow weight gain, and low milk supply. As a mother of twins, she especially enjoys working with parents of multiples.

Tiara Caldwell, lpn, IBCLC (She/Her/Hers)

Nothing brings Tiara more joy than to see parents gain confidence in their feeding choices and techniques. Being a nurse, doula, and mother of four, (including a set of twins!) has helped her realize chest/breastfeeding is not one size fits all. She is here to help you find a plan that works for you with healthy expectations. She has training to help with low supply, painful latch, returning to work, and other unique challenges. She ensures a judgment free zone with some fun along the way.

Kathleen Daniels, RN, IBCLC

With over a decade of experience in postpartum, preterm and newborn care, Kathleen's priority has always been to help make the new family experience as successful and enjoyable as possible. Kathleen is a strong believer in the benefits of breastfeeding but keenly aware of how challenging the journey can be and that no one's journey looks the same. She believes her role as a lactation consultant is working with families to overcome any obstacles to their breastfeeding goals so they can have a rich and meaningful bonding experience. In her 'free' time, Kathleen enjoys spending time outdoors with her very active family and packing too many plants into a small backyard. Her 'me' time is dedicated to pottery and podcasts.

Heather Evans, IBCLC

As a lactation consultant I am passionate about helping you meet your personal breastfeeding/chest-feeding/lactation goals, whatever they may be. I am a mom of 5 who came to the US 15 years ago from the UK. It is a great privilege that you would allow me to be part of your mothering journey. I know this can a vulnerable time, which is why I want you to feel safe, included, listened to, and empowered.

Jenna Forester, RN, IBCLC

Jenna has been working with breastfeeding families for over 10 years, previously as an L&D Nurse and since 2013 as an IBCLC. Her goal is to give families nonjudgmental support in reaching their breastfeeding goals! She has completed advanced training in oral function and is skilled at working with families who are having difficulties such as latch pain, poor weight gain, low supply, and many other challenges that breastfeeding families face. She looks forward to helping your family meet their goals!

Dominique Gallo, IBCLC

Dominique is an international board certified lactation consultant certified for 5 years but have been helping parents with their lactation journey’s for the past 10 years through WIC, LLL and grassroots community efforts. Dominique graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (GO RAMS!) and is on the board of the United States Lactation Consultant Association and The Roanoke Doula Collective. Dominique is mom to 2 strong and beautiful daughters and an adventurous son. We have a crazy golden retriever and when she is not working hard for the parents she serves you can find her rooting on her kiddos while they play their various sports.

Tri Jessup, IBCLC

Tri is a caring and supportive lactation consultant who is passionate about helping families attain their breast/chestfeeding goals. She has over ten years of experience in the healthcare field and is a working mother of three children. Tri has both personal and professional experiences with tongue tie, painful latch, oversupply, clogged ducts and return to work challenges. She is here to listen, empathize, and gently guide clients as they navigate through their concerns. She knows it can be a time filled with many difficulties and stressors. She truly looks forward to assisting you with your breast/chestfeeding journey!

ISABELA LESSA, MPH, IBCLC (she/her/hers)

With a background in Psychology and Maternal and Child Health Isabela is passionate about working with families to achieve their breastfeeding goals, whatever they may be, in a compassionate, and evidence-based way. Together she can help you work on poor infant weight gain, calibrating milk supply, latching difficulties, nipple and breast pain, feeding multiples, premature babies, returning to work, inducing lactation, weaning, and many other feeding issues. Consults in English and basic Portuguese.

Maureen LOPINA, IBCLC (she/her/hers)

Maureen enjoys working with babies of all ages and has warm client relationships. She never forgets a face or name, even when her families come back with toddlers! Maureen has been serving families for over 30 years, including 13 years as a childbirth educator and 25 years as a La Leche League Leader. She became an IBCLC in 2002. She has trained staff from hospitals in DC and Virginia in becoming “Baby Friendly,” and advocated for breastfeeding at the local, state, and national level, but Maureen is most passionate about supporting new parents as they grow their families. A mother to 3 breastfed children, it is a joy and an honor for her to support families at this special time in their lives

Nancy Mallin, IBCLC (she/her/hers)

Empathy, Warmth, Advanced Skills and Science-based Solutions. I help you resolve everyday concerns or tricky situations from birth to toddlerhood. You pick the goal; I customize your plan to meet it. Expertise includes: latching/positioning; low supply; oversupply; supplementation; mastitis; hand expression; tongue-tie; suck training; LGBTQ+; infant massage; special medical or physical needs.

Jen Mueller, IBCLC

Jen has been working with new parents, babies, and young children for more than a decade. She is excited to help BCGW families meet their breastfeeding goals. She offers practical and evidence-based advice and hopes parents find working with her to be empowering, non-judgmental, and enjoyable. Jen also enjoys working with the entire family as a yoga instructor and infant massage educator. Before focusing on lactation, Jen worked for years in non-profit administration and public health advocacy.

tina Pangelinan, IBCLC (She/Her/Hers)

You should have the support you need in an area that is resplendent with perinatal support folk. Coming from the Northern California Bay Area was an extraordinary place to begin my childbirth experience and education. Practicing for 10 years with an extraordinary group of midwives in DC was an integral part of my lactation education and ability to support families. I believe my strength is in providing care in the earliest days of the newborn period.

Torey POtter, RN, BSN, IBCLC (she/her/hers)

I’m a former Labor & Delivery nurse and Capitol Hill mom who enjoys helping families navigate challenges in the early days and weeks of parenthood & breastfeeding. What to expect from me: a clear and manageable plan based on current research, help meeting your breastfeeding goals whatever they may be, kindness and compassion during stressful times, reminders of what you’re doing well even when things may not be going as planned, and a sense of humor through it all. I look forward to supporting your family!

Tarina Szemzo Fremming, IBCLC, Postpartum Doula (DONA)

Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding is a deeply personal experience and there is no one size fits all way to care for these sweet babies. My goal is to help new mothers, families and partners reach their feeding, nutrition, and pumping rhythms of your new normal. Im also a Postpartum Doula, especially trained in babies first year of life and can help answer any and all questions you may have especially through babies first year of life.

Natalie Worthington IBCLC (she, her, hers)

I'm passionate about helping families, all families. Whether this is your first baby or your sixth; you're single, partnered, LGBTQIA+; whether you just gave birth or adopted; however you feed your baby; whatever your goals --- I'm here for you. Offering you my high spirited humor and enthusiasm to come up with practical solutions to whatever feeding challenges you are experiencing. I want to empower you to achieve your breast/chestfeeding goals. I use an evidenced based approach for all ages and stages. From those profound early weeks with latch, weight, and supply concerns to nursing gymnastics and pumping issues, all the way to returning to work, extended breastfeeding, and child led weaning. My 10 years of experience runs the gamut. I have La Leche League roots, but have worked in a hospital based setting with a level III NICU, and then transitioned to private practice.

CHERYL Zimmer, RN, IBCLC

Cheryl Zimmer, has worked with mothers and infants for 15 years in a hospital setting, including NICU preemies, late preterm infants, and infants that are small for their gestational age--specializing in the unique needs of premature and critically ill infants and mothers lactation needs. She actively supports families in need of lactation support with high-risk infants who experience nutritional challenges but enjoys helping and encouraging all new mothers to breastfeed their babies.

Gina Caruso-rissing, Executive Director (she/her/hers)

With The Center since 2007, Gina has been there through many chapters of The Center's life and is excited about bringing the organization into its next chapter! Gina is passionate about ensuring all people feel empowered throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period and strives to bring programming to the community that reflects that. In her free time, Gina enjoys hiking our state and national parks, doing (and teaching) yoga, and spending quality time with her partner, friends, and family.

Katie Shamp, Director of operations (she/They)

I’ve been with The Center since 2012 in a number of roles, and currently as Director of Operations. A lot of my work supporting our community is behind the scenes, sourcing and vetting our retail product selection, honing our systems, and supporting our staff with technology—though my favorite excuse to close my computer is working with our clients on babywearing! My passion for this work is centered in reproductive justice: I believe all people deserve access-to, and autonomy-in their choices about whether and how to grow their families, followed by respect, and support in realizing their goals. At home I love to splash in any almost body of water I can find, go on crisp early morning bike rides, and backpacking with my family and doggo.

Natasha Dodge, program coordinator

Angel Yarbor, outreach coordinator (she/her/hers)

Angel has been with The Center since 2019. She is currently in the process of certifying as a full spectrum doula and childbirth educator to further pursue her passion for helping birthing parents and their families meet their goals throughout their perinatal journey, helping them to feel heard and cared for and connected to a community! At the Breastfeeding Center, you can find her creating content for our blog, ensuring the care of our clients, and maintaining programing for longevity of The Center. Outside of the office her favorite pastimes include a bit of nature, a good book, or spending time with her beloved family!

Christie Allen, President (she/her/hers)

Christie works as a director at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, focused on leading programming and interventions nationally on patient safety, quality improvement, and improving outcomes for all birthing families. With over 20 year of nursing experience, Christie has worked as a Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, NICU and Birthing Center nurse, and managed a state-wide program for pregnant individuals with active substance use disorder. She continues to work clinically in a local NICU. As an advocate for families of all sorts, she is committed to supporting the center’s provision of high-quality, equitable care, and services, particularly to people who have not felt centered in spaces like these traditionally. Christie lives in Maryland with her husband Seth, 2 hilarious teenage people who would now protest being called children but still don’t shower without encouragement, and an assortment of pets.

Mimi Hayward, Secretary

Mimi currently works as a Family Nurse Practitioner as a contractor for Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc providing support to The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the NIH. Previously, she worked in primary care in North Carolina and before that as an RN in downtown DC. She has Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Virginia Tech, a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Georgetown and a Master’s in Nursing from Johns Hopkins. Mimi was first introduced to The Center after the birth of her son and credits the center and its consultants with the support she needed to have a positive breastfeeding relationship with her son for almost two years. Passionate about maternal/child health, serving on the Board of Directors has been a way for her to give back to the center and utilize her training in support of The Center’s goals. She joined the board in 2017. Mimi lives with her husband and son in Bethesda, MD where they take every opportunity to be active and outside.

Donna Person Taylor, Treasurer

Donna is a finance executive who brings twenty years of experience to the Breastfeeding Center. Her career has spanned finance, strategy, and operations roles with a focus on cross-functional improvements, forecasting, risk management, and the development of new businesses. She has worked across the for-profit sector in industries including investment banking, media, education, technology, and management consulting.

Donna has a passion for expanding the reach of lactation and parental support services to diverse cultural and socio-economic audiences and to improving the operations of non-profits to broaden their reach and impact. Prior to joining the Breastfeeding Center, Donna served as the CFO of a maternal support organization providing lactation and birth support services.

Sarah Buckley, Legal Liason

Sarah is a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. Prior to her legal career, she worked as a legislative aide in the Virginia General Assembly. Sarah found the Breastfeeding Center while pregnant with her son, Harlan, and became passionate about breastfeeding advocacy and postpartum support. In addition to connecting the Center with legal advice and support, she is committed to expanding the Center’s supportive community and advocating for breastfeeding, breastfeeders, and their families. Sarah lives in Southwest DC with her husband, son, and their cat, Tuna.

Bianca Flokstra

Bianca Flokstra is an international development professional with more than 10 years of non-profit experience in public grant program design, implementation and management. She currently serves as Director of the Food Security and Livelihoods, Program Quality and Impact team at World Vision US, where she manages a team of 6 Program Managers supporting a global portfolio of nutrition (including maternal and child health) food assistance, agriculture, livelihood, economic development, and environment – related projects. Prior to World Vision, Bianca has worked internationally with the US Peace Corps in Burkina Faso, focusing especially on women’s economic empowerment and also in Niger designing and managing public grants related to food and nutrition. Bianca was initially connected to the Breastfeeding Center while pregnant with her first child and now, with two children, has become passionate about extending the breastfeeding resources and services she received to all women who desire to breastfeed.