Meet The Executive Committee

	Andrea - Co-Chairperson Andrea is a WAHM to 4 children ranging in ages from 1 to 9 years old. She is a co-leader of the local babywearing group, an advocate for natural and gentle childbirth, and a retail store owner. Andrea took an active role in petitioning and organizing events in support of midwifery funding in Alberta. Andrea plans to pursue further education in midwifery and hopes to see gentle birth become the common practice in Alberta.

	Daleen - Co-Chairperson Daleen and her husband have two wonderful children, age 5 and 3. Daleen's passion for breastfeeding led her to pursue her leadership with La Leche League Canada. She loves supporting mothers and babies along their breastfeeding journey. Her organizational experience spans across the globe. She was instrumental in coordinating city-wide events in Lethbridge, Kansas City, Florida and India. Her aspirations for the future include becoming a Lactation Consultant and a Doula.

	Miranda - Treasurer & Registrar Miranda and her husband have been married for 7 years. They have a daughter, 2 years, and will be welcoming their second child this fall. After being unsuccessful in breastfeeding their daughter, Miranda has been involved with La Leche League Canada to try and learn everything she can before the new little one arrives! She one day hopes to be a Doula.

	Abigail - PR Coordinator Abigail is a new mama to Seth who is 7 months old. She recently joined the La Leche League Lethbridge South group via “facebook,” started attending meetings and have so much enjoyed the support and company of other breastfeeding moms who all seem to share the mutual goal of doing what is best for their children. All of that brought her to take this position of Public Relations Coordinator for the Birthing Breastfeeding and Bonding Conference 2009.

	Laurie - PR Committee Member Laurie is a homeschooling mom of 4. Her kids are 8, 5, 4 and 2. She is a long time La Leche League attendee (since her eldest was 5 months old) and long time breastfeeder. She is a strong believer in homebirth, three out of my four were born at home. Even though Laurie is quite busy, the conference topics are close to her heart and she couldn’t help but get involved.

	Danielle - Volunteer Coordinator Danielle is a stay-at-home mom to her 16-month-old son Matteo. She is actively involved in her local La Leche League Canada group, where she loves meeting and learning from other breastfeeding mothers. Danielle hopes to one day pursue a career in Midwifery. In her spare time you'll find her reading, blogging, or spending time with her little family.

	Salina - Volunteer Committee Member Salina, originally from Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, spent 13 years in Vancouver B.C., moved to Lethbridge summer of 2007. She and her husband are the proud parents of a baby boy. Salina became involved with the conference to meet new people and learn more about birthing, breastfeeding and bonding as a first time mother.

	Jennifer - Volunteer Committee Member Jennifer is a single mother of a little 3 year-old girl. She is an active member of the East Calgary La Leche League group. In May 2008 Jennifer took the Elmont Birth Services DONA approved birth Doula training workshop. This year she plans on completing her birth and post-partum Doula certification and her La Leche League leadership. Her future aspirations include becoming an lactation consultant and a midwife.

	Krystal - Volunteer Committee Member Krystal is a SAHM of two very active and healthy boys; ages six months and two and a half years. As a member of the LLLC Lethbridge South, she enjoys learning more about breastfeeding and meeting new breastfeeding couples. She hopes to get more involved in the breastfeeding community. Krystal hopes to go back to school once both boys are in school full time.

	Rosina - Volunteer Committee Member Rosina is married with two wonderful children under the age of two (20 months and 8 weeks), some days she wonders how she stays sane. Right now she is a stay at home mommy and probably will stay that way for a while. She decided to volunteer at the conference because she is interested in learning more about birthing, breastfeeding and bonding. She is helping out with the breastfeeding challenge and the babywearing fashion show.

	Melanie - Volunteer Committee Member Melanie has lived in Lethbridge for 7 years. She has 2 girls. Chelsea (8) and Larissa (4). She started a business this year as a licensee with Musigo Inc. Wee Wiggler Classes and named it Amazen Play Adventures. She helps little ones (6 months - 5 years) have a great experience connecting with each other/parents with physical actions and active music. When they can Melanie and her husband like to travel and take family weekend trips to Calgary and other places. She enjoys meeting other moms and families and hopes to connect with all of you at the conference.

	Loree - Liaison Coordinator Loree certified as a birth Doula through DONA International in 1997 and was certified as a breastfeeding counsellor through CBI in 2009. Loree has taken her passion, her patience and her knowledge and applied it to each of the over 800 births she has had the privilege and the honour to attend. Her philosophy is that every birth is sacred, regardless of external factors, and that all women have the right to respect, dignity and informed consent.

	Michelle - Liaison Committee Member Michelle is a married mother of two and birth doula (DONA). Michelle is also a volunteer with the Medicine Hat Pregnancy & Family Support Centre. She works as a labour assistant for expectant mothers facing challenges during their pregnancy. Attending her first births as a doula in 2008 and early 2009 have confirmed Michelle's belief that she is following her calling and that women intuitively know how to birth and mother their children naturally.


	Victoria - Liaison Committee Member Victoria is a SAHM to a 5 year old boy and a 2 year old girl. She volunteers for the Association for Safe Alternatives in Childbirth (ASAC); currently, she is their Casino Chairperson. She also gives her time to the Edmonton chapter of the Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC)/ International Caesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) Association. Victoria has completed her Postpartum Doula training and plans to use the knowledge she has gained from her experiences to make this meaningful and important work her future career.

	Nadia - Liaison Committee Member Nadia is a Registered acupuncturist, with a special interest in women's health. She is an active birth doula in the Edmonton area and is a member of the Doula Association of Edmonton and Doulas of North America. Nadia shares her busy life with her supportive, loving husband and three beautiful babes.