My work with parents and babies began soon after the birth of my daughter, when I became a La Leche League Leader in New York City. After moving to Ithaca, I continued that work and, following the birth of my son, became regional coordinator for Milk for Life, a human milk bank serving infants in need.

Simultaneously, I coordinated the Ithaca Birth Group, where I taught childbirth education and breastfeeding preparation and worked with families as they prepared for pregnancy, birth, feeding and parenthood.

That work eventually led me to professional training in midwifery and nursing. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and worked in midwifery, women’s health, family medicine and community health.

Most recently, I worked for two decades as a RN and IBCLC with the Tompkins County Health Department’s MOMS plus program. This work took place in families’ homes, helping new mothers navigate breastfeeding and feeding concerns during the early postpartum period.

Across all of these roles, my work has centered on the same things: listening carefully, helping families understand their options, offering practical guidance, and recognizing when additional medical or community support may be helpful.