Edith Kernerman

President

Edith is co-founder and co-director of NBCI (Newman Breastfeeding Clinic & Institute) in Toronto, Canada.  She is the author of the GamePlan for Protecting and Supporting Breastfeeding in the First 24 hours of life and Beyond, and the co-author of L- EAT -the Elite way to Latch: Empower, Attach, Transfer!  She is also the author of the New Pain Assessment Algorithm for diagnosis and treatment of nipple and breast pain.  In 2005, she founded the International Meeting of the Minds to bring together experts in particular areas of lactation with the objective of minimizing contradictory and conflicting information in the lactation world.  Edith continues her work in this area currently researching strategies, theories, and treatments for the baby who does not yet latch and she is currently working on her book on the same subject: Breastfeeding the Baby Who Does Not Latch.  Edith has lectured at conferences in Canada, USA, and Europe. Edith is the mother of Alexandra and Sabrina, whom she breastfed for 2 yrs, and 3 ½ years, respectively.

Ilana Sirkovich

Vice-President

Ilana is a founder and clinical director of Health for Baby, Childbirth & Newborn Care Consulting in Thornhill, Ontario. She also works part time as a Lactation Coordinator at Mount Sinai Hospital. Ilana has extensive experience in Breastfeeding, Public Health, Reproductive Health, Perinatal, Maternal and Newborn Care. In the past she worked as a Fertility Clinic Coordinator at a Centre for Reproductive Medicine and as a Public Health RN, Lactation & Newborn Care Consultant at a Mother-Baby Well-Being Clinic. Ilana also serves as member of the Board of Directors of Holistic Fertility Network. Ilana writes reviews for the Journal of Human Lactation, Inside Tracks translations for the International Lactation Consultant Association and breastfeeding education articles for ethnic media. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing Science. Ilana breastfed both her kids for 4 years.

Hiltrud Dawson

Secretary

Hiltrud has extensive experience in the maternal newborn field as a nurse, midwife, and lactation consultant. Before joining the team at the Best Start Resource Centre, Hiltrud worked in the postpartum and neonatal units and the breastfeeding clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare. During that time, she pulled together a multidisciplinary team that implemented the Baby-Friendly Initiative. St Joseph’s Healthcare became Ontario’s first Baby-Friendly Hospital. Hiltrud has taught workshops on breastfeeding, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and other reproductive health topics to audiences from various health and social service disciplines including physicians and medical students. She is currently expanding her portfolio into child health and development. Her passions include breastfeeding, the adjustment of mothers and families after the birth of their baby, and the impact of mother’s physical, social and mental issues on infants and children.

Bobbi Jo Nicholson

Treasurer

Bobbi Jo Nicholson is a registered nurse, graduated from the University of Windsor-Lambton College Collaborative Nursing program with a BScN in 2005.  In July 2007 she wrote and successfully passed the IBCLCE. Since June 2008 she has been working as a Lactation Consultant.