About Us

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BOARD CHAIR: 

Heather is a Registered Nurse and IBCLC. She has been a part of the Breastfeeding Coalition for over 13 years and served as Board Chair for 10.   Professionally, she has worked with new mothers and babies in Ventura County for over 25 years in both hospital and outpatient settings. She is passionate about helping new families navigate the early postpartum period and achieve their breastfeeding or breast pumping goals. She currently works for the Ventura County WIC program as  the Breastfeeding Coordinator and Regional Breastfeeding Liaison.  Heather lives with her three children and husband, John. In her free time, Heather thinks about what resources she can add to the  Breastfeeding Coalition Website and drinks coffee.

BOARD VICE CHAIR:

  Layne is a registered nurse, IBCLC, and a clinical nurse supervisor for home visiting programs that work with high-risk infants and families. She is passionate about supporting new mothers to achieve their breastfeeding goals and providing each child with the healthiest start possible. She is also familiar with the struggles of new mothers. As the mother of two sons, she was able to successfully breastfeed them with the support and encouragement from her husband, family, and a compassionate IBCLC.  

BOARD TREASURER:

 CPA and partner at Vance, Thrift and Biller, LLP . Mother of two breastfed boys (tandem at one point) now 14 and 12. Passionate about women's reproductive rights and supporting families to breastfeed. Love spending my time outside of work outdoors: beach, hiking, biking,  camping. 

Andrea was instrumental in helping the BCVC obtain and maintain their 501c3 NonProfit Status. 

BOARD SECRETARY:

 Cari is a committed Public Health Professional with a strong background in outreach and program planning. A proud graduate of California State University, Northridge (CSUN), she most recently played a key role in coordinating the successful Annual Birth and Baby Resource Fair in 2024. Cari is a passionate advocate for breastfeeding, drawing from her personal experience of breastfeeding her two children. She is deeply dedicated to ensuring that every mother who chooses to breastfeed has the necessary resources and support to do so.

Outreach Committee Chair:

Tara has been an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) since 2010 and also has several years' experience as a birth doula, childbirth educator, prenatal yoga teacher, and infant massage instructor. She currently provides breastfeeding education and skilled lactation support to families in Ventura County as part of the WIC Peer Counseling Program. She is passionate about supporting families on their journey into parenthood and continues to advocate for breastfeeding and related support resources in the community. Tara lives in Camarillo with her husband and is enjoying witnessing her young adult  son and daughter launch their careers. She enjoys yoga, hiking and time spent with friends. 

Board Member at Large:

 "I have worked as a Registered Dietitian in Ventura County for the past 15 years  and I am a certified lactation counselor. I currently work in public  health with several programs geared toward providing services to  children in our county. I am also the mother of two boys and have loved  my breastfeeding experience. I am excited to use my nutrition expertise  as well as passion for breastfeeding to support the breastfeeding goals  of all women in Ventura County."

Board Member at Large:

Dr. Patricia is a Harvard, UCLA Board-Certified Pediatric Dental Specialist. She is a Certified Lactation Education Counselor and a CO2 Laser frenectomy provider for infant and children tongue and lip ties. She serves on the Board of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The Santa Barbara Ventura County Dental Society, and the Ventura County Breastfeeding Coalition. She lives in Oxnard with her husband and two young boys and has been serving patients in Ventura County the past 10 years.

Member at Large/ East County Rep:  Sharlena has been working with new mothers and their families in the East County for over 15 years with Ventura County Healthcare Agency at Sierra Vista Family Medical Clinic, leading the program Comprehensive Perinatal Service Program. She is a Certified Lactation Counselor and Child Passenger Safety Seat Technician. She has a passion for the Fourth Trimester, and always looking for ways to enrich her knowledge to offer that support. Sharlena lives with her 4 children, and husband, Hector. In her free time you will find her at a high school baseball game or at a soccer game. 

Board Member at Large:

 Cristal assists the coalition with social media outreach. She is currently employed inpatient at a Mother Baby unit, where she helps families set the foundation for a successful breastfeeding journey. She is passionate about Maternal Child Health and is most proud of being able to provide inclusive, bilingual breastfeeding support to her Spanish speaking patients. Cristal is eager to expand and share her knowledge with the community that she was born and raised in.

Board Member at Large:

Lydia is a devoted Health Educator in Ventura County, where she has dedicated the past four years to empowering new mothers and their families through comprehensive prenatal education and support. With a strong commitment to advocating for breastfeeding, Lydia actively collaborates with organizations that uplift underserved communities, ensuring they have access to vital health resources in both English and Spanish. Beyond her professional life, Lydia embraces adventure and connection; she enjoys hiking in Yosemite to recharge in nature and hosting dinner parties for her friends and family.

Board Member at Large:

Chantel assists with the social media for BCVC and is a part of the outreach committee. She has her bachelors of science in public health and is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She is currently employed as an IBCLC assisting breastfeeding families through outpatient and inpatient work. She is passionate about helping breastfeeding families receive the support and education they need to meet their goals.