Who We Are

President

​Kimberly, a dedicated International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with over 20 years of experience in the maternal child health field, serves as the President of the Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition. Passionate about helping families succeed in their breastfeeding journeys, Kimberly combines her expertise with a warm, supportive approach. As owner and chief education officer of Pregnancy Concepts LLC, she has guided countless parents through childbirth, lactation, and early parenting. Kimberly’s commitment to supporting families and building community drives her leadership and advocacy, as she fosters a nurturing environment that supports breastfeeding goals and promotes positive maternal outcomes.

Vice President

Dana is a general pediatrician and head of the Division of General Pediatrics at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, where she cares for patients and teaches pediatric residents and medical students about breastfeeding. A founding member of the Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition (MBC) since 2010, Dana currently serves as Vice President and has coordinated the DC/Maryland Breastfeeding-Friendly Awards since its inception.​

​

In addition to her work with MBC, Dana is the Chapter Breastfeeding Coordinator for the Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is a respected speaker on breastfeeding topics both locally and nationally. She is passionate about advocating for breastfeeding support in Maryland and beyond.

Treasurer

Melanie is an educator specializing in supporting parents as the CEO and IBCLC of the Successfully Nurtured Collective, where she provides consultations and classes in lactation, infant feeding, human development, and parenting on Delmarva. A member of the Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition (MBC) since 2015, Melanie currently serves as Treasurer, contributing to budgeting and funding initiatives while actively participating in subcommittees and board projects.

With over a decade of experience, including her work with La Leche League of MD-DE-DC as a leader (2009–2023) and involvement in Delaware breastfeeding coalitions, Melanie is a dedicated advocate for equitable minority representation to better serve diverse communities. Grateful for the progress made in breastfeeding support, she is committed to building sustainable foundations for future generations.​

​

Secretary

Dr. Marilyn F. Berchie-Gialamas, CRNP, NP-C, CBS, is a Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in maternal-child health and a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist. She is the executive director of Trinity Maternal Wellness, a Maryland nonprofit organization that focuses on moms' wellness. She is also a nurse educator and researcher at Morgan State University. Her research projects include being a co-investigator of the Maternal Health Research Center at Morgan State University and the Primary Investigator in a project entitled Racial Disparities in Maternal Child Health and the Role of Doulas in Reducing Disparities. She is a Howard County resident and mother of two.

Webmaster

Danya has been a Registered Nurse since 2006 and an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) since 2011. With a background in public health since 2007, she previously served as the Coordinator of the Upper Shore WIC program on the Eastern Shore. A dedicated member of the Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition (MBC) since 2017, Danya joined the Board of Directors in 2018.

Passionate about supporting clients in achieving their breastfeeding goals, Danya brings both professional expertise and personal experience as the proud parent of her adult, breastfed son.

Chair, Social Media & Scholarship Committee

Whitney, a native and current resident of Prince George’s County, MD, is the owner of The Mama’s Doula LLC, a lactation-focused postpartum care service based in Prince George’s County. She also serves as a public health lactation consultant and health educator for the Babies Born Healthy program within Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services.

A member of the Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition (MBC) since 2018, Whitney quickly became involved in outreach activities and went on to serve as Member at Large and Coalition President. She now chairs the Scholarship and Social Media Committees, continuing her dedication to advancing breastfeeding support and education.

Whitney is an accomplished speaker and has presented to local and national organizations. She also represents MBC as a delegate to the United States Breastfeeding Committee. As a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Whitney works to expand maternal and child health initiatives through her sorority and beyond.

Lactation Consultant Representative, Scholarship Committee & Social Media

Rachel, IBCLC (obtained 2017), Johns Hopkins WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator. I recently moved from Florida where I was a Breastfeeding Coordinator in Pasco County, Florida from 2016-2023, before that I was a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor in Tampa Florida from 2013-2016. I was active on the Tampa Bay Breastfeeding Task Force from 2013-2023. In my time with the TB Breastfeeding Task Force, I was Annual Events Chair (2013-2016), Vice President (2014-2016), and continued as a general member assisting in various committees and annual conference planning until I moved in 2023.

 

Healthcare Representative

Clinical Nurse II, Lactation--Women & Children Services, University of Maryland Medical Center. Consulting Breastfeeding Educator, Baltimore Healthy Start. Adjunct Faculty, Coppin State University Helene Fuld School of Nursing. MBC Roles – HCP Rep to the Board, Committee Chair, IBCLC Medicaid Reimbursement Committee.   

WIC Representative, Healthcare Committee, & Scholarship Committee

State Breastfeeding Coordinator, Maryland WIC Program.  Past MBC roles include President, Vice President, Past President, and Board Member. Has coordinated two workplace grants for MBC, participated on the Workplace Award committee, assisted with nominations multiple years, and currently participates on the Medicaid Reimbursement committee.

​

Member at Large

Birth Doula, New Dawn Doula Services, LLC. MBC Board Member since 2022.  I am a mother of three adult children, two of which I birthed and a bonus son.  I am also a foster mom to teenage girls, some of which are teen moms in the DMV area. As a Birth Doula and Certified Lactation Consultant I assist mom with preparing for birth, labor and postpartum.

Member at Large

President/Administrator at Hands That Touch Home Health Services. The Community, Home Health, and Home Service has been my primary focus for the last 10 years. I am working with Lactation Moms in their homes who had complicated pregnancies and want to continue breastfeeding, premature babies, congenital heart defects requiring medical support at home, down syndrome infants, children receiving cancer treatments, and assisting with keeping them in their homes.

Member at Large

As the MBC Social Media Director for 2023-2024, I created posts that spotlighted our members, promoted partner and community events, and highlighted breastfeeding advocacy. I am a preventive medicine physician and currently serve as the Medical Deputy Health Officer for Harford and Cecil counties, where I work to support maternal and child health alongside other public health initiatives. I am also a participant in IABLE’s Deep Dive curriculum for physicians. Having breastfed my two children for over five years, I am passionate about supporting the breastfeeding goals of others and fostering a space where those goals are achievable for all. I breastfed my two children for over 5 years. I am passionate about supporting the breastfeeding goals of others and creating a space and place where it is possible for all.

Member at Large

Professor, School of Nursing, Notre Dame of Maryland University. Pediatric nurse practitioner and lactation consultant specializing in support for breastfeeding women in the workplace. I have managed workplace lactation programs in small, medium and large organizations over the past 20 years.
 

Western Maryland Representative

Community Health Nurse II with the Allegany County Health Department, working both with the Communicable Disease Program and with the Allegany County WIC Program as a Competent Professional Authority. I also work as a nursing preceptor to BSN students with Frostburg State University.  I am new to MBC but looking forward to joining committees and learning from this organization to help collaborate lactation support in the Western Maryland area.