Board of Directors
Ellen Lassiter Collier, MA
Chair
Ellen is honored to serve on the MIBFN Executive Committee as it brings together personal experiences and passions with her professional work. She is a mom of three, all of whom nursed until they self-weaned. As a full-time career mom, she has navigated all of the challenges that come with pumping, and also has donated to other moms as well as the local milk bank. Breastfeeding has been a central part of her life for the last 7 years. Professionally, she has spent her career advocating for equity. She is currently the CEO at S.A.F.E. Place and works every day to support survivors of sex trafficking and intimate partner violence. As a white woman, she has also committed to doing her own work in order to eliminate structural racism, create anti-racist communities, and parent in an anti-racist manner. The work never ends, but she continues to engage in spaces that allow her to be self-reflective, further understand power dynamics, and interrupt racist practices. She has a BS and MA in History from Northeastern University and is completing a PhD in Higher Education Administration at Bowling Green State University. Her dissertation focuses on the experiences of undergraduate student mothers, where breastfeeding access and support is a major theme.
Karen García, DO, IBCLC
Member
2024 Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinars Power Panelist
Dr. García has been practicing pediatrics and newborn care in the Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties since 2012. Dr. García currently serves as a Newborn Hospitalist across the Bronson Hospital System, as a Breastfeeding Medicine Specialist for her in-home consultation service Garcia Consulting and Lactation Services, as co-lead for the Southwest Michigan Perinatal Quality and Improvement Collaborative and as co-facilitator for the Baby Café at Milk Like Mine. She is currently on the Board for the Michigan Breastfeeding Network and is a fellow of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network Fellowship. She is passionate about supporting all of our communities that struggle with breastfeeding, and those communities with limited access to breastfeeding resources, especially our BIPOC and LBGTIA+ communities. Dr. García is Board Certified in Pediatrics through the American Board of Pediatrics and American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics. She is also a Board-Certified Lactation Consultant by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. She is an ongoing member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Osteopathic Association and Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.
Allison Horne, MS
Member
Allison began her interest in breastfeeding prior to her first child being born, knowing it was an experience that she wanted to have as part of her parenting journey. It was through her breastfeeding support connections that a passion for breastfeeding and supporting other parents on their journeys ignited. Now a mom of two, she breastfed her oldest (5yo) until she self-weaned and is currently breastfeeding her second (2yo) with the goal of continuing until he self-weans as well. Allison is an early childhood education specialist by trade with a passion for keeping each child’s sense of wonder alive, fueling their imagination, modeling and teaching respect for every person and issue, fostering their self-confidence, and while always striving to create positive, dynamic and challenging educational environments to show them how truly competent and capable they are. She feels most like herself when she is supporting families and educators to gain a feeling of support, connection and confidence, and to be more grounded and satisfied in their relationships with the children in their care. Allison is a dedicated life-long learner constantly working on expanding her knowledge and her application of best practices. She has a passion for advocacy and social justice education, working to acknowledge and address inequalities, both past and present, that advantage some and disadvantage others. Allison has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Michigan State University. She has worked in the classroom as an early educator working alongside children from birth to 5 years old and their families, as a lab instructor for college students modeling best practices and scaffolding their skills in early childhood development and practice, on a consulting basis as support for early education classrooms, and as a parent coach sharing resources and support for local parents. She has presented at multiple early education conferences, and is published in an early education resource book as well as an early education based magazine. She is currently living her best life as a stay-at-home mom to an adorable French bulldog and two wonderfully amazing, determined and passionate children who provide her with the chance to practice respectful, compassionate caregiving daily. She is married to an amazing, intelligent, kind and supportive husband who is her constant partner in life and who continually reminds her of her worth just as she is.
Cierra Pfotenhauer, MS, RD, IBCLC
Member
Cierra’s passion for breastfeeding was born from her work with the WIC program. Her desire to support breastfeeding mothers inspired her to become an IBCLC. She is passionate about eliminating barriers to breastfeeding, particularly for people of color. She is an active member in the Berrien County Breastfeeding Coalition. She is a wife and mother of two children who she is currently breastfeeding. In her spare time, Cierra enjoys food and travel.
Emily Uppleger, CPA
Treasurer
Emily was introduced to the Michigan Breastfeeding Network through her sister, an RD and IBCLC that works as a WIC Coordinator and is also involved in the organization. She is also a mom of two boys and is passionate about breastfeeding and making sure that breastfeeding resources and education are available to everyone. Emily breastfed both of her children for 16 mos+, navigated all the challenges of pumping and being a full-time working mom as well as having donated her milk to several families through local milk donation coordinators. She is committed to using her passion for breastfeeding to assist the organization in it’s mission to advocate, educate and community-build alongside families and organizations for the advancement of an equitable, just, and breastfeeding supportive culture. Emily has a BS in Accounting from Western Michigan University and a MS in Accounting from Wayne State University. She is also a state licensed CPA with over 15 years of experience in public accounting. Emily is excited to join the Board and bridge her personal and professional passions to help the network continue it’s work within our communities. She is also committed to putting in the time to educate herself, her family and her peers on how they can help to eliminate racial and socioeconomic inequities. Emily lives in St. Clair County, MI with her husband, Scott, and two children. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her boys and nieces, reading, golfing, boating and staying connected with friends.
Gayle Shipp, PhD, PHP, CLS
Member
Gayle’s passion for breastfeeding blossomed while working at WIC as a Nutrition Educator; educating and encouraging mothers to give their baby a healthy start that would last a lifetime. Her passion and interest grew further as her knowledge and awareness increased around existing systemic and structural barriers especially within the African American community impeding a mother’s ability to breastfeed. Gayle has a PhD in Human Nutrition and is an alumna of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Health Policy Research Scholars program. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship, 2022, at MSU focused in perinatal epidemiology providing her a foundation in epidemiologic concepts and methods. Gayle recently started as Assistant Professor at MSU, College of Human Medicine Flint in the Division of Public Health with the Pediatric Public Health Initiative. Her research focuses on understanding and improving breastfeeding behavior and addressing additional nutrition related disparities with underserved populations. Gayle enjoys serving as a board member with MIBFN because this provides her an opportunity to stay connected with breastfeeding communities to work towards building a more supportive culture while removing societal barriers to breastfeeding success. Gayle is a mother to a beautiful daughter, which she successfully breastfed for 17 months! Persevering through challenges related to being a single mother, breastfeeding, and working/completing school concurrently was “eye-opening” and sustains her passion to continue this work to assist in addressing and dismantling existing structural barriers while pushing for social and societal support for breastfeeding families.
Kaela Harris, MSW
Member
Kaela Harris, also known as Kaela Wabanimkee-Harris, is an Anishinaabe from Northern Michigan. Kaela graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI where she obtained a master’s degree in social Work. She was in the Innovation in the Community, Policy, and Leadership (ICPL) program. Her areas of focus were community development/organizing, leadership, and policy. Ms. Harris is a trainer, facilitator, and speaker addressing various health and social advocacy issues in Indian Country on a micro, mezzo, and macro level. She is a strong advocate for Native wellness initiatives in tribal communities. Ms. Harris plans to engage in the community by creating empowerment programs for Native American and other minority women as well as youth. She also plans to practice policy advocacy on a local and national level. She has a passion for educating and empowering people and is grateful to be able to assist and support Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
Kaela enjoys drumming and singing in her language, Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe). She enjoys experiencing traditional ceremonies, attending Pow Wows, beading, sewing, and spending time with her family and friends. Kaela is the proud mother of 2 daughters, Kateri and Kalyse. Her lifelong goal is to teach her daughters the beauty of connecting the present world with the past, and to live a well-rounded healthy life with the knowledge of our ancestral ways.
Kaela began her healing journey many years ago. She has been practicing and honoring Anishinaabe ways of being by learning her language, attending ceremonies, learning about and using traditional herbal medicines, and many other things. She is a birth worker/doula who supports birthing people in all phases whether it be loss, pregnancy release or bringing baby earth side. She began to study the practice of Reiki on her healing journey. Kaela is certified as a Reiki I practitioner. She is also a partner at Healing by Choice!. Her full-time job consists of supporting Tribal Communities all across the country as a Task Lead and TTA Coordinator at the SAMHSA Tribal TTA Center.
Sharde’ Burton, MPH, LCCE
Secretary
Sharde’ has a diverse career as a public health practitioner and birthworker. She is committed to advocating for health equity and improving access to quality care. As co-owner of North Star Birthing Services in Lansing, Michigan, her goal has been to uplift the health, well-being, and needs of birthing persons in her community, emphasizing the needs of Black women. In her role as a birth doula and educator, she provides birthing persons and families with education, advocacy, and support during their birth journey. Sharde’ is passionate about addressing barriers to breastfeeding, especially for women of color and young birthing persons. Leveraging her full-time work in public health, she also brings over six years of experience in leading policy, systems, and environmental change initiatives to improve health outcomes and address health inequities. Sharde’ loves to travel the world, read books, and play tennis in her free time.
Lisa Sommer King
Emeritus Member
Lisa discovered the Michigan Breastfeeding Network in 2012 as a first-time mom looking for resources to help her employer establish its first maternity leave and breastfeeding in the workplace policy. Though it was nerve wracking to be the first employee to need and utilize these benefits, Lisa recognized the trail she was blazing for future employees. The process invigorated her and she soon asked to volunteer with the MIBFN, putting her nonprofit communication skills to work supporting an advocacy day effort, writing and distributing the newsletter, and supporting social media needs. Additionally, as a first-time mom learning the realities of breastfeeding at home and in public, she helped organize a nurse-in at her local Target after a local mother was asked to stop breastfeeding in public. Because of her advocacy efforts and dedication to helping more employers understand breastfeeding laws and her more than 13 years’ experience as a nonprofit communications processional, Lisa was asked to join the MIBFN Board of Directors in 2014. Currently, Lisa is the director of the American College Application Campaign through ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University where she studied integrative public relations and public affairs and a master’s degree from Michigan State University. She lives in East Lansing with her husband and three young children.
Julie Lothamer, MS, RD, IBCLC
Emeritus Member
Julie started as a dietitian in the Michigan WIC program In 1996 but she lacked the resources needed to support her breastfeeding clients and began to seek out opportunities to learn more about breastfeeding. MIBFN provided both the knowledge and mentorship she was seeking. As her passion for breastfeeding grew, Julie was empowered to become an IBCLC, providing a much needed service to WIC mothers. As a member of the board of directors, she aims to link MIBFN with the State of Michigan public health programs.
Stan Bien, MPA
Member in Memorium
Stan Bien worked in the Public Health field for over 40 years, most recently as the Michigan WIC Director and as a member of the NWICA Executive Board, making breastfeeding support and promotion one of his top priorities. Stan knew the powerful health benefits breastfeeding has on mothers, babies, and families. He graduated from Ferris State University with a B.S. in Accounting and minor in Economics, M.P.A. from Western Michigan University, was selected and completed the Public Health Leadership Development Program at the Michigan Public Health Institute. Stan and his wife Jeannie have three grown children and they enjoyed skiing, fishing, camping, walking, golf, traveling, and spending time outdoors together.
After a year battling a rare and incurable cancer, Stan Bien passed away on Friday September 2, 2022. If you knew him, you know that Stan was an incredible champion for breastfeeding, and for so many of us individually. During and even after his time as State of Michigan WIC Director, he leveraged his privilege and used his voice to bring breastfeeding to so many spaces and to ensure it was at the front of people’s minds all the time. He was so excited to join the MIBFN Board of Directors in 2019 and keep his breastfeeding advocacy going, even in retirement.
In lieu of flowers, Stan’s family has graciously chosen for memorial donations to be made to MIBFN. We are so honored that his family has chosen MIBFN as the recipient of donations in his memory and we are deeply committed to stewarding these funds in a way that honors his legacy. Read Stan’s obituary and leave a message for his family here.
Staff
Kaitlyn Bowen, MS, RD, CLC
Communications and Data Manager
2024 Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinars Power Panelist
kaitlyn@mibreastfeeding.org
As a registered dietitian, Kaitlyn is passionate about ensuring every family has access to safe, nutritious, and adequate food. She believes that human milk, alongside dismantling breastfeeding inequities, plays a crucial role in advancing food justice. Since 2015, Kaitlyn has contributed to MIBFN in various capacities, including as an Implementation Specialist, Project Manager, and currently as Communications and Data Manager. She is deeply committed to advocating for policy change at both the legislative and administrative levels, decentering whiteness within education, and working to decolonize evaluation processes within organizations. Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kaitlyn is a proud Michigan State University alumna. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys running, going to the farmers market, and spending quality time with her loved ones.
Caty Jolley, CD, CLC
Implementation and Support Manager
caty@mibreastfeeding.org
As the Implementation and Support Manager for the Michigan Breastfeeding Network and the small business owner of Mother Heart Birth Services, Caty values the impact that birth and lactation justice work does for individuals, families, community organizations, and large scale policies. Within her MIBFN role, Caty transcends organizational departments to offer day-to-day commitment to the core values that center the work of the team and its partners. Some skills and passions within the work include: finding cost-saving and time-saving measures, project management (ie. spreadsheets, reports, organization, and processes), researching and integrating new programs or technologies, ensuring accessibility to education modules, serving as a liaison in communications, and connecting people to others who can help them or serve alongside them.
Her biggest supporter is her husband, who has been by her side since they were 14, and together they have three incredible kiddos. When they get a chance, they love to play board games, card games, complete escape rooms, swim, run, ski, rock climb, get together with family members, or snuggle up with popcorn or ice cream (or both) to watch an exciting movie or hilarious tv series.
Shannon McKenney Shubert, MPH, CLC
Executive Director
Advocacy Manager
shannon@mibreastfeeding.org
Shannon McKenney Shubert, MPH, CLC is a passionate advocate for justice and equity – especially related to environmental and reproductive health. She has served in many capacities, including as an educator, trainer, fund developer, consultant, policy advocate, coalition leader, and emerging program developer. Whatever the role, Shannon’s focus is on disrupting systems of oppression – namely white supremacy, colonialism, and patriarchy, and serving in solidarity with efforts that move us all towards mutual liberation. She joined the Michigan Breastfeeding Network team as Project Manager in 2015 and became Executive Director in 2018. Shannon, her husband, and their 3 children, reside in Wyandotte, Michigan.
Shonte’ Terhune-Smith, BS, IBCLC
Education Manager
2024 Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinars Power Panelist
Shonte’ Terhune-Smith is a dedicated health educator, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), and the founder of YOLO (You Overcoming Lactation Obstacles). With over a decade of experience, Shonte’ has been a tireless advocate for increasing breastfeeding rates and improving birth and postpartum outcomes in Genesee County. Her work spans across WIC programs, hospitals, and pediatric and obstetric clinics, where she has passionately promoted breastfeeding and provided invaluable education to mothers.
In addition to her clinical work, Shonte’ leads local breastfeeding support groups, collaborates with community organizations, and offers comprehensive birth and postpartum doula services. As a trained childbirth educator, she has empowered hundreds of families through compassionate education and hands-on support. Shonte’ also created the Community Breastfeeding Specialist Course for birth and lactation professionals.
Known for her professional, caring, and trustworthy approach, Shonte’ is committed to making a lasting impact on the health and well-being of families in her community.
Vicki Wood, CLC, CLS
Fund Development Manager
vicki@mibreastfeeding.org
As an advocate for maternal and infant health, Vicki has been passionate about breastfeeding for as long as she can remember. She worked as a WIC Peer Counselor for over 10 years before joining MIBFN in 2017. Her role as Fund Development Manager aligns with her desire to make breastfeeding a health equity priority as a fully-funded investment in families, lactation professionals, communities, and society as a whole. In her fund development role, Vicki has the opportunity to work with community partners, coalitions, and perinatal health organizations on funding proposals; data collection; and relationship building and networking. Vicki lives in the Upper Peninsula where she collaborates at the local level to address the challenges that breastfeeding families face. She lives in Marquette with her husband, and three breastfed children (now teenagers), where she enjoys the woods and beaches along Lake Superior.
Contractors
Tierra Emerson, LMSW, CCM
2024 Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinars Power Panelist
Tierra Emerson, LMSW, CCM is a licensed Master in Social Worker with over 14 years’ experience. She obtained her Certified Case Management Certification in December 2020 and has the expertise, knowledge, and professional experience to provide excellent services to patients across the continuum of care. Tierra is the founder of Inkwell Therapy and Consulting. Inspired by prayer and the intention to serve Black women and families–INKWELL, If Not (K)now When Elevating (to) Limitless Life, was started. Before founding Inkwell in 2021, Tierra spent much of her career providing direct service to clients employed in various Community Mental Health agencies in Michigan, in hospice care and as a medical social worker for a Managed Care organization. Tierra felt that her years of providing advocacy and education; coupled with her transition to motherhood as a working professional-directly led to the formulation and vision for Inkwell.
As a visionary and policy creator, Tierra emailed the governor a proclamation to recognize Tongue and Lip Tie Awareness Week in December 2022 and 2023 in the state of Michigan, in March 2023 regarding The Right To Pump At Work Week and in June 2023 regarding Black Babywearing Week in the State of Michigan.
Tameka Jackson-Dyer, BASc, IBCLC, CHW
2024 Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinars Power Panelist
Tameka Jackson-Dyer is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant and Community Health Worker. She is a lifelong Detroiter with a Bachelor of Applied Science from Siena Heights University, several other lactation certifications and has been serving families in her community for over a decade. Through international speaking engagements, publication in peer-reviewed journals, involvement with several CDC projects and her position as Manager of Community Collaboration with Coffective, Tameka provides a voice for marginalized communities in the Maternal/ Child Health space. In addition, the wife and mother of three owns Crazymilklady Lactation Support Services, Chairs the Metro Detroit/ Wayne County Breastfeeding Coalition, is a Sisterfriend mentor and a co-founder of Southeast Michigan IBCLCs of Color.
Julie Ward-Weathington, RN
2024 Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinars Power Panelist
Julie Ward-Weathington is a Registered Nurse BSN, for over 30+ years, who loves serving her community as a certified Health, Wellness, Nutrition and Life coach; Co-founder of Connections2Life (2019) a consultant group educating, empowering and equipping community in financial literacy, healthy living and Life Skills.
Mrs. Weathington is also founder and owner of JW Health Education Services Inc. (2019), a wellness network of health consultants that provides education and counseling on the health & well-being of the spirit, mind and body of individuals. She recently accepted a part time position as a Nurse Education Consultant to the Michigan Breastfeeding Network.
In addition to all these things she has served for over 40 years as an ordained and licensed minister; devoted wife, mother, daughter, grandmother (“Nanie”), sister, a trustworthy employee and faithful friend.
Partners
WHO Code
In alignment with the United States Breastfeeding Committee, MIBFN does not accept donations or other resources from entities in violation of The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and/or subsequent World Health Assembly resolutions.