As a not-for-profit organization, the Board of Directors (BOD) for the Breastfeeding Committee of Canada (BCC) is the legal governing body responsible for strategic leadership, financial stewardship, and legal compliance under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. The BOD sets the mission, vision and purpose of the BCC, manages risks, ensures ethical conduct, and is accountable to members for all organizational outcomes. The powers and duties of the BOD are laid out in the BCC Bylaws which are revised and approved at each Annual General Meeting.
The Board is comprised of Directors. Directors at large are elected at the Annual General Meeting from the voting members. A Director is a current member of the BCC and has received approval by the Board of Directors.
Read our Terms of Reference here.
Composition of the Board
The Board consists of:
- Two (2) Co-Chairs of the BFI Assessment Standing Committee
- Two (2) Co-Chairs of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Standing Committee
- Two (2) Co-Chairs of the Provincial/Territorial BFI Implementation Standing Committee
- One (1) Director at large serving as BFHI International Delegate, selected by the BFI Assessment Standing Committee
- Eight (8) to ten (10) Director(s) at large
From the elected Directors, the following Executive Committee positions are selected:
- Two Co-Chairs of the Board of Directors
- Two Secretaries
- One Treasurer
The terms of office are staggered, when possible, to ensure a phased transition of Directors.
Janine McClure, Co-Chair
As a Breastfeeding for Canada Board member, Janine advocates for evidence-based standards in perinatal care and supports the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Initiative across hospital and community settings nationwide. She provides mentorship and guidance to facilities working toward this designation, helping to build systems that prioritize compassionate, family integrated care.
Janine is a dedicated International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Registered Nurse working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at IWK Health in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she combines clinical expertise with a deep passion for infant feeding. She believes that early feeding experiences play a vital role not only in an infant’s immediate health but also in fostering lifelong relationships and generational well-being. Her work in an acute care environment has provided her with a unique perspective on early development and the importance of nurturing connections from the very beginning.
Known for her empathy and her ability to truly listen, Janine approaches each interaction with the intention of understanding and supporting others. She values collaboration and actively seeks opportunities that bring people together.
Sally Loring, Co-Chair
As a healthcare provider and director, Sally has been actively involved in promoting and supporting the Baby-Friendly Initiative for approximately 25 years; to begin with in the UK and then more recently in Canada.
Sally has been a member of the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada since 2016 and a Board Director since 2021; initially as the Board Treasurer and, since 2025, as one of the Co-Chairs. She has had the privilege of witnessing how working towards BFI Designation brings facility teams together and enhances the care provided to support women and their babies.
As Co-Chair, Sally hopes to assist in sustaining and transforming BCC by enhancing the functioning of the Board and supporting the integration of BFI into national and provincial policies and standards.
Candi Edwards
Candi is an experienced professional with extensive expertise in Indigenous advocacy, particularly in the areas of perinatal care, early childhood learning, youth development, and healthy living. Throughout her career, she has been actively involved in community advancement, capacity building, planning, and service projects at the regional, provincial, and national levels. Her work is dedicated to promoting the wellbeing and growth of First Nations communities.
Candi has been the Director of Approaches to Community Wellbeing (public health) at Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority since September 2023. Prior to that, she was the Associate Director and Manager of the Raising Our Children program. She was previously with the Ontario Native Women’s Association’s Aboriginal Healthy Babies Healthy Children program in Sioux Lookout for more than fifteen years and worked for the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council for several years before that. She is a proud member of the Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek, a mother of three, a sister to many, a wife, a daughter, and a granddaughter.
Sarah Frittenburg
Sarah is a Registered Nurse and IBCLC working in rural Nova Scotia since 2009. Her daughters were her inspiration for a change in career to follow her interest of supporting mothers, babies, and families in her community. During a placement as a nursing student, she was introduced to the Baby-Friendly Initiative and she instantly knew she had found her niche!
Sarah has worked on BFI work at the community, hospital, and provincial level. She is also a BCC BFI Mentor and has been on the BCC Board of Directors since 2025. She works in a BFI designated hospital as primary maternity care clinic nurse providing prenatal care and as an IBCLC providing prenatal and postpartum infant feeding support.
Sarah would like to acknowledge all the Baby-Friendly Initiative colleagues she has worked with along her way. A special recognition goes to those at her local level who began this journey many years ago making the successes of today possible.
Jennifer Swan
Jennifer Swan is a Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with more than 20 years of experience in perinatal, newborn, and pediatric health. Throughout her career, she has been a dedicated advocate for breastfeeding support and the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI), both of which have remained central to her professional practice.
From her early work as a frontline obstetrics nurse to her current role as Director of Women’s and Children’s Health for the Eastern Zone of Nova Scotia Health, Jennifer has developed a deep understanding of how to support families, healthcare teams, and organizations in advancing BFI principles. Her clinical and leadership experiences have provided firsthand insight into the positive and lasting impact that the BFI can have on the health and well-being of families and communities.
Jennifer joined the Board of Directors of the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada in 2023 and has served as Co-Chair of the Provincial/Territorial Committee since 2024 and Treasurer since 2025. She is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside passionate colleagues and partners and is continually inspired by their dedication to supporting breastfeeding and infant feeding initiatives across Canada.
Pam O’Sullivan
Co-Chair, Assessment CommitteePam O’Sullivan is a Registered Nurse and previous healthcare administrator, with extensive experience in perinatal and women’s health care. She has been an advocate for the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) for over 20 years, including as an administrator of a large facility in British Columbia that achieved BFI designation for the first time in 2008. Pam is currently the Co-Chair of the BFI Assessment Committee. She is a Baby-Friendly Assessor/Mentor and enjoys supporting both community organizations and hospitals in achieving Baby-Friendly designation. She is excited to see the progression of the new processes and practices in Canada for facilities to achieve Baby-Friendly designation. She is a previous board director for the Zajac Ranch Society for Children and the Canadian Association of Perinatal and Women’s Health Nurses.
Rebecca Serroul
Co-Chair, Assessment CommitteeRebecca is a childbirth educator and doula whose goal is to support women and families through pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Over the past 20+ years, she has enjoyed working in multicultural settings and diverse communities. She has worked as a second attendant to midwives in Ontario and as a physician’s assistant overseas. She has also co-led a 20-hour lactation course for peers and healthcare providers. Volunteering is important to her. She is an active member of several boards and committees and serves as a Breastfeeding Buddy peer. In the past, she has volunteered to teach breastfeeding classes and to assist healthcare providers at refugee clinics in Egypt and South Africa, as well as volunteering with Roots of Empathy.
Haileigh Robb
Co-Chair, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion CommitteeHaileigh is a Registered Dietitian with a Master of Public Health from the University of Toronto, where she specialized in global health and public health policy. Currently, she works as an Early Years Consultant with Nova Scotia Health, Public Health, where she supports the design, implementation and evaluation of provincial initiatives that improve nutrition and health for pregnant women/people and young children up to the age of five.
With expertise in public health policy, health equity, and early childhood nutrition, Haileigh plays a key role in advancing Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) practices and strengthening community-based breastfeeding supports. Haileigh has been an active member of the BCC serving on the Board, Provincial Territorial Committee, and Co-Chair of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee.
Kessewa Heaton
Co-Chair, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion CommitteeKessewa is a human resources People and Culture specialist who brings experience in mediation, organizational development, and policy work across nonprofit, healthcare, and public sector settings. Her work focuses on strengthening communication, representation, and practices to support respectful, inclusive care and positive experiences for both families and care providers.
Her commitment to equitable maternal and infant care in Canada is informed by both lived and professional experience. As a patient partner and parent partner, she developed a strong understanding of how care is experienced by families, particularly within perinatal and early years services. She later served as a Coach Mentor with the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada, supporting the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI). As a Board member and Co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Kessewa is focused on advancing equity and supporting the integration of inclusive approaches into BFI standards. She values collaboration, thoughtful dialogue, and person and trauma centred approaches, and is committed to ensuring that diverse voices and experiences are reflected in both policy and practice.
Heather Gates, Co-Chair
Heather has served on the Board of the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada (BCC) since 2019. A Registered Nurse, Canadian Certified Community Health Nurse, and IBCLC, she is the Provincial Breastfeeding Consultant for Newfoundland and Labrador and Chairperson of the Baby-Friendly Council of NL.
As Co-Chair of the Provincial/Territorial BFI Standing Committee, Heather strengthens cross-national connections and strategic partnerships. She operates on the philosophy that “many hands make light work,” focusing on bridging the gap between Acute Care and Community Health to ensure a seamless Warm Chain of Support. Her leadership was instrumental in achieving Atlantic Canada’s first Baby-Friendly designation in 2018 and the designation of NL’s largest birthing facility in 2025.
Heather is committed to the BCC’s role as a national lead in aligning BFI implementation in Canada with the highest international standards. Along with her provincial work, she has a special interest in the WHO Code and exploring ways to better protect vulnerable populations from unethical industry marketing. Her goal is to contribute to a system where every child’s right to a sustainable start is protected, paving a healthier and more equitable path for future generations.
Jennifer Swan, Co-Chair
Jennifer Swan is a Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with more than 20 years of experience in perinatal, newborn, and pediatric health. Throughout her career, she has been a dedicated advocate for breastfeeding support and the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI), both of which have remained central to her professional practice.
From her early work as a frontline obstetrics nurse to her current role as Director of Women’s and Children’s Health for the Eastern Zone of Nova Scotia Health, Jennifer has developed a deep understanding of how to support families, healthcare teams, and organizations in advancing BFI principles. Her clinical and leadership experiences have provided firsthand insight into the positive and lasting impact that the BFI can have on the health and well-being of families and communities.
Jennifer joined the Board of Directors of the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada in 2023 and has served as Co-Chair of the Provincial/Territorial Committee since 2024 and Treasurer since 2025. She is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside passionate colleagues and partners and is continually inspired by their dedication to supporting breastfeeding and infant feeding initiatives across Canada.
Kathy O’Grady
With 50 years of experience as a Registered Nurse and over 30 years as a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Baby-Friendly Initiative assessor, Kathy is deeply passionate about helping families and healthcare workers thrive. From her two decades at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre to her national leadership with the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada, Kathy’s mission has always been simple: to empower people with the practical skills and evidence-based knowledge they need to succeed. Whether she is mentoring hospital or community health facility teams or teaching her “Making a Difference” courses, Kathy brings a heart-centered approach to creating lasting, positive change in breastfeeding care.
Brenda Oldford
Brenda is a Registered Nurse based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, with over 30 years of experience in perinatal health, including practice in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and St. Petersburg, Florida.
She has held a range of roles across the healthcare system, including frontline inpatient nursing, community public health nursing, management, and project leadership. Her breadth of experience has provided her with a strong understanding of both clinical practice and system-level implementation.
Brenda has been actively involved in advancing the principles of the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) for more than a decade through her work with the Perinatal Program of Newfoundland and Labrador. She was an engaged participant in the BCC National BFI Quality Improvement Project for hospital-based designation, contributing to the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s achieving BFI designation in March 2025. She is especially proud of the collaborative, province-wide effort that has seen teams across hospitals and communities engage in the BFI journey and the BCC BFI Recognition Program.
Brenda has served as a member of the BCC Board since 2025. She is committed to bringing her frontline clinical insight, leadership experience, and quality improvement expertise to support and strengthen BFI initiatives at a national level.
Colleen McDonald-Briggs
Colleen is a Registered Dietitian based in Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick, with more than 20 years of experience in the field. She holds a Master of Science in Applied Human Nutrition and brings a population health perspective to her work in chronic disease prevention and management across primary health care and community-based services at Horizon Health Network.
As a Registered Dietitian, she has a strong foundation in nutrition and a passion for maternal child health, with key interests in health equity and community-based care. She is committed to taking a systems level approach to improving breastfeeding and lactation support.
Colleen’s Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) journey began with the establishment of local committees and infant feeding support groups and has evolved to contributing to provincial, systemwide initiatives. She is deeply committed to quality improvement and patient centred care. Colleen joined the Breastfeeding Committee of Canada Board of Directors in spring 2025.
Cynthia Mann
Cynthia is a Registered Nurse, Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Childbirth educator and Le Leche League Leader with over 20 years of experience working in Perinatal Newborn Care, Breast and Chest feeding support, and health leadership. She holds a Master of Nursing degree focusing on perinatal mental health and has experience supporting families with complex emotional, physical, and social health dynamics. Working with families during these vulnerable experiences has increased both her compassion for the challenges families face, as well as the intense need for both support and information to make informed decisions.
Cynthia has been supporting the work of BFI for over two decades including leading IWK Health through its initial designation and redesignation. She continues to support the advancement of BFI across Nova Scotia through her leadership in the provincial perinatal and newborn care program. Cynthia is a member of the BCC Board of Directors, Provincial Territorial Committee, and the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee. She uses her passion for equity and inclusion in her continued work to support BFI and joined the BCC to help ensure all families see themselves represented and supported by the work of the BCC and the BFI.
Keisha Jefferies
Keisha Jefferies is an Ancestral Black Nova Scotian nurse scientist and an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at Dalhousie University. She is the director of MBRACe (Multidisciplinary Black Research and Advocacy Centre), which is a research hub that advances Black population health. Keisha is also a member of the Canadian Breastfeeding Research Network and a trainee with the ENRICH Perinatal and Child Health Network.
In her clinical practice, Keisha has worked in neonatal care where she supported and championed breastfeeding and infant feeding practices. Her neonatal clinical practice facilitated her involvement in breastfeeding policy and research, including a three-month internship in Tanzania, where she conducted a health policy analysis on exclusive breastfeeding practices. In her research, Keisha uses critical methodologies to answer questions focused on Black health outcomes.
Keisha’s work also emphasizes mentorship, where she fosters supportive learning environments that encourage students to engage critically in research and practice. An example of this is the Pamoja Nursing Program, which fosters a sense of community and belonging for Black nursing students in Nova Scotia.
Michele Monroy Valle
Michele joined the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada (BCC) Board of Directors in 2026. She is a Nutritionist and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with a Master of Public Health and a PhD in Epidemiology. She has extensive experience in public health nutrition, working both in Saskatchewan and internationally. Her research focuses on breastfeeding, maternal and child health, and nutrition in vulnerable populations. She is a strong advocate for equitable access to breastfeeding support and evidence-informed maternal and infant care.
In her community, Michele contributes to breastfeeding initiatives through research, knowledge translation, and community engagement. She has been actively involved with Saskatchewan Breastfeeding Matters since 2024. She collaborates with multidisciplinary teams and community organizations to support families through education, program development, and advocacy. In addition, she brings over 19 years of academic experience and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in global nutrition and public health.
Rebecca MacDougall
Rebecca joined the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada (BCC) Board of Directors in spring 2025. She is a Registered Nurse, Assistant Professor of Nursing at Cape Breton University, and a PhD student at Western University. Her program of research focuses on breastfeeding and lactation support for students attending post-secondary education. She is a strong advocate for women’s health, including supporting breastfeeding, infant feeding, and informed choice.
In her community, Rebecca works as a Lactation Counselor, providing care to new mothers and newborns throughout their breastfeeding journeys. This includes at-home and virtual consultations, education, and emotional support. In addition, she is a Trainee member of the Canadian Breastfeeding Research Network.
Stephanie Gillespie
Stephanie is a Registered Nurse and Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with over 20 years of experience working in Maternal Newborn Care. She holds a Masters in Nursing degree with a leadership focus, which has equipped her with additional skills pertaining to knowledge translation and team dynamics. She completed the BCC Assessor training in 2022 and is a current member of the BCC BFI Assessment Committee. She joined the BCC Board of Directors in 2026.
Stephanie works at a BFI designated facility and witnesses firsthand each day the importance of BFI. She is committed to advancing BFI and promoting continuous quality improvement, and takes special interest in empowering her nursing colleagues to have confidence in their abilities to provide holistic infant feeding support. She is a passionate advocate for keeping healthcare systems accountable to their role in protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding, despite many competing priorities. Stephanie provides clinical care to families across the perinatal spectrum, from NICU to outpatient families with older babies. She views infant feeding as a relationship, and strives to empower mothers and families to listen to their instincts and trust their baby.
