Who We Are
Our Roots
Our strength lies not only in the values we uphold but also in the tangible impact of our initiatives. Since our founding in 2002, we have recognized that collective effort is key to overcoming challenges. This belief inspired the launch of the Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition, and it continues to drive us today. Together, we strive to create meaningful, positive change in everything we do.
Our Story
Dedication and Service
We are a diverse group of health professionals, parents, educators, policymakers, organizations, businesses, and others dedicated to promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding. Since 2002, we have been serving breastfeeding families and professionals with passion and purpose. The Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition is proud to be a member coalition of the United States Breastfeeding Committee.
Meet The Board
![Myers_Kimberly_621-0938[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e3425e_4a03f0ab712049c6b16202211177c5ad~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_280,h_272,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Myers_Kimberly_621-0938%5B1%5D.jpg)
Kimberly S. Myers M.A.Ed, ICCE, IBCLC
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.
Marilyn Berchie-Gialamas CRNP, NP-C, CBS
Vice President
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 serves as the Executive Director of Trinity Maternal Wellness, a Maryland-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing maternal wellness.
Dr. Berchie-Gialamas is also a nurse educator and researcher at Morgan State University. Her research includes serving as a co-investigator with the Maternal Health Research Center at Morgan State University and as the principal investigator for a project examining racial disparities in maternal and child health and the role of doulas in improving outcomes. She is a Howard County resident and the mother of two.
Melanie Tarr, BS, IBCLC, RLC, CAHPE
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.
Vacant
Secretary
Danya Benton RN, IBCLC
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.
Whitney N. Dula, IBCLC, PMH-C, CPST
Scholarship and Social Media Chair
Whitney, a Prince George’s County, MD, native, owns The Mama’s Doula LLC, a lactation-focused postpartum care service. She also works as a public health lactation consultant and health educator for Montgomery County’s Babies Born Healthy program.
An active Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition (MBC) member since 2018, Whitney has served as Member at Large, President, and now chairs the Scholarship and Social Media Committees. She also represents MBC as a delegate to the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee.
A skilled speaker, Whitney has presented to local and national organizations. As a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., she expands maternal and child health initiatives through her sorority and beyond.
Vicki Norton, BSN, RN, IBCLC
Lactation Consultant Representative
Vicki is a nurse and IBCLC with over 30 years of experience spanning postpartum hospital care, birth centers, private practice with home visits, the NICU, and adjunct clinical faculty roles. She currently serves as Lead Lactation Consultant at Frederick Health Hospital, supporting breastfeeding from the golden hour onward, counseling dyads in support groups, and teaching prenatal breastfeeding classes for the Hispanic community.
Vicki leads initiatives to enhance employee pumping spaces, expand staff education, and coordinate professional conferences. In 2025, she completed the Maryland Patient Safety Center Fellowship, leading a bedside nursing quality improvement project that improved breastfeeding exclusivity.
A frequent presenter at regional conferences, Vicki brings patience, perseverance, passion, and lived experience as a breastfeeding mother of two. She is energized to share these strengths more broadly through her work with the coalition, advancing long-term health for mothers and infants.
Tannyka Coleman, BSN, RN, IBCLC
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.
Amy Resnik, MS, RD, LDN, IBCLC
WIC Representative, Healthcare Committee, & Scholarship Committee
Amy has been a Registered Dietitian since 1986, with expertise in pediatrics, and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant since 2005. After working with families both in the hospital and outpatient settings, Amy moved to the public health setting, where she’s been working with the Maryland WIC Program, focusing mostly on breastfeeding promotion and support.
She is a founding member of MBC, and has often served on the leadership team in a variety of roles including President, Vice President, and as a member of the Board of Directors. Amy has overseen two workplace breastfeeding support grants for MBC.. She is passionate about making inroads to normalize breastfeeding and has worked to improve both workplace breastfeeding support in Maryland and insurance coverage for breast pumps and lactation services.
Dawn Smith, CD(DONA), CLC
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.
Vicki Norton, BSN, RN, IBCLC
Member at Large
Vicki is a nurse and IBCLC with over 30 years of experience spanning postpartum hospital care, birth centers, private practice with home visits, the NICU, and adjunct clinical faculty roles. She currently serves as Lead Lactation Consultant at Frederick Health Hospital, supporting breastfeeding from the golden hour onward, counseling dyads in support groups, and teaching prenatal breastfeeding classes for the Hispanic community.
Vicki leads initiatives to enhance employee pumping spaces, expand staff education, and coordinate professional conferences. In 2025, she completed the Maryland Patient Safety Center Fellowship, leading a bedside nursing quality improvement project that improved breastfeeding exclusivity.
A frequent presenter at regional conferences, Vicki brings patience, perseverance, passion, and lived experience as a breastfeeding mother of two. She is energized to share these strengths more broadly through her work with the coalition, advancing long-term health for mothers and infants.
Jamie Sibel, MD, MPH
Member at Large
I am a preventive medicine physician working in local public heath. I support maternal and child health as well as other public health initiatives. 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.
Jane J. Balkman, PhD., APRN, CPNP, IBCLC
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.
Kylan Kelly, RN
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.
Carol Leonard
Eastern Shore Representative