Our Volunteers, The Heart of LLLC

Aimee immediately jumped into supporting the Atlantic Canada Area, quickly becoming a vital part of the community. She is a dedicated member serves as editor of the Atlantic Beacon. Her consistent presence at Area Workshops, both virtual and in person, speaks to her deep commitment, especially considering the challenges of travelling from Happy Valley–Goose Bay. Aimee has played a key role in helping the team better understand the work and realities of Leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador, and her efforts have helped strengthen connections among Leaders across all four Atlantic provinces, which is no small feat given the region’s vast geography.

Her dedication shines through in many ways, including the time she joined a Leader Support Team meeting while mopping up water from a burst pipe in her basement, still fully present and contributing. Aimee also courageously shared her personal birth story during a virtual LLLC conference, bringing awareness to the unique challenges faced by women, particularly Indigenous women, who need medical care in Newfoundland and Labrador. Her openness, resilience, and compassion make her not only an inspirational Leader, but also an extraordinary human being.

Cecily brought exceptional leadership, positivity, and tenacity to her role as Chair of the Board. She led with deep empathy, always making space for others while steadily guiding the organization forward.

Her dedication and hard work were evident in every aspect of her role. Cecily's ability to balance compassion with clarity helped foster trust, connection, and confidence among the Board and National Office alike. Her contributions have left a lasting impact, and we’re so grateful for the strength and care she brought to her leadership.

Hannah leads with both creativity and empathy, creating welcoming spaces for group meetings and one-on-one support alike. Her ability to listen deeply and respond with understanding makes a meaningful difference for the families she supports.

Whether she's guiding a group conversation or connecting with a parent individually, Hannah brings thoughtful, creative solutions that meet families where they are. Her warmth and insight shine through in everything she does.

Janette is an inspirational Leader whose commitment to supporting families is truly remarkable. She regularly goes above and beyond by offering help to parents even an hour outside her area, taking calls whenever she can, and running multiple Groups at times. Her energy, positivity, and deep compassion are felt by everyone she supports.

Not only does Janette provide consistent encouragement to fellow Leaders, she also inspires members to step into leadership themselves. In addition to her work with LLLC, she supports families through her successful doula practice, all while continuing to offer free, compassionate help through La Leche League. Her dedication makes her an irreplaceable part of our community.

Jo-Anne's impact on the Atlantic Canada Area, and LLLC as a whole, cannot be overstated. From the very beginning, she’s been someone other Leaders could turn to with confidence, thanks to her warm, welcoming, and approachable nature. Whether sharing her wisdom through Communication Skills workshops, editing the Atlantic Beacon to keep the Area connected, or providing thoughtful support to her co-Leaders, Jo-Anne leads with heart and humility.

Her commitment has often gone above and beyond, like arranging long travel days without driving, taking the bus, or finding rides just to attend in-person Area Workshops. When travel wasn’t possible, she stepped up as our virtual meeting expert, especially during the early days of the pandemic when everything felt uncertain. Though Jo-Anne has been talking about stepping back from active leadership, she continues to mentor, support, and ensure smooth transitions in her community. She is a steady, generous presence, and an incredible gift to LLLC.

Joan is a cornerstone of LLLC AB NWT’s success. Her steady presence, can-do attitude, and unwavering positivity have helped the Area navigate many challenges over the years. In her current role supporting Leaders, Joan’s efforts have been nothing short of remarkable, she keeps everyone informed, organized, and motivated to provide the highest level of care and support to families.

Joan is affectionately known as the “spark” that keeps things moving in AB NWT. Her behind-the-scenes work, especially in managing AGLC Casino proceeds, plays a critical role in ensuring resources are available to support breastfeeding families across Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and beyond. While she may not work directly with parents, her encouragement and commitment to administrative excellence make it possible for Leaders, Area Council members, and the LLL AB Society Board to thrive. Simply put, Joan’s contributions are foundational and deeply appreciated.

Katie’s dedication to the Barrie Group is truly inspiring. Despite the challenges of low attendance and the demands of parenting young children, she continues to show up each month; prepared, present, and committed.

Her consistency and quiet determination ensure that support remains available for families in her community. Katie’s efforts may not always be visible to everyone, but they make a real difference. She is a wonderful example of perseverance and care in action.

Linda is known for her thoughtful truth-telling and her ability to consider and honour different perspectives. She brings a steady, grounded presence to her work and approaches challenges with creativity and a strong focus on solutions.

Throughout her time with LLLC, Linda has played an instrumental role in supporting the growth and success of those around her. Her insight, encouragement, and unwavering support have left a lasting impact on many in the leadership community.

Linda's commitment to La Leche League shines through in every aspect of her work. As a co-Leader in Lunenburg County, NS, she brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the Group. She stays up to date with LLL news both in Canada and internationally and generously shares that information with her fellow Leaders. Her experience with Leader Accreditation has connected her with Applicants around the world, and her passion for supporting new Leaders is evident in every story she shares, especially when she has the chance to meet them during her travels.

When Linda moved to Lunenburg County, the local Group was struggling. Her fresh perspective and encouragement to meet more frequently helped transform the Group, creating consistency and connection that led to renewed growth. In addition to her work with LLL, Linda has played a key role in the local Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) Committee, serving as Chair for many years. Her leadership helped build a strong network of breastfeeding supporters across the community; from public health and midwifery to family resource centres and volunteers. Thanks to Linda’s vision and commitment, the Lunenburg County Group continues to thrive.

Lindsay is a compassionate and reliable Leader who consistently makes herself available to support parents and lead Groups. Her presence is steady, warm, and welcoming. These qualities make a real difference to the families she serves.

She’s also an exceptional listener, creating space for parents to feel heard, understood, and supported. Lindsay’s dedication and empathy are at the heart of her leadership.

Mary goes above and beyond in her role as a La Leche League Leader. Her support for parents is warm, welcoming, and entirely free of judgment. She creates an inviting atmosphere at meetings; often showing up with home-baked treats and enough for everyone to enjoy seconds.

Mary’s kindness extends beyond the meeting room. Her thoughtful follow-up messages and words of encouragement make those around her feel seen, appreciated, and valued. She has a grounded, approachable presence and a genuine desire to see nursing families thrive. Mary’s care and dedication leave a lasting impact on everyone she supports.

Mel is a pillar of support, wisdom, and warmth within La Leche League and the broader parenting community. As both a Leader and IBCLC, she uplifts parents, co-Leaders, and everyone she encounters with deep empathy and care. From the earliest days to her ongoing presence in the Peterborough Group, Mel has been a source of steady, trusted support. Her listening skills, generosity of spirit, and humble approach to leadership make her a cherished part of every meeting. She gently guides while making space for others to grow, and despite generational differences, she is always “one of the girls.”

Beyond her local impact, Mel has served for years on the LLLC Board and is currently representing Canada on the LLLI Board. Her commitment also extends into her professional life, where she supports at-risk mothers through the EarlyON Centre and the Healthy Babies clinic. Her ability to build bridges between services brings families into the fold of La Leche League with ease. Outside of her lactation work, Mel has led with energy and compassion as a swimming instructor for more than 50 years and helped build a vibrant homeschooling network in the Millbrook area. Mel's lifelong dedication to supporting and empowering families is nothing short of inspiring.

Her leadership as Administrator of the Leader Accreditation Department (LAD) has been truly exceptional. With grace, clarity, and compassion, she has brought both structure and vision to one of the most essential areas of La Leche League Canada. Her creative thinking and dedication to continuous improvement have strengthened the ways we support Applicants and LAD members alike. Melissa’s approach reflects not only a deep understanding of our mission, but also a profound respect for the people behind it.

She leads with empathy and purpose, fostering a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and thoughtful communication. Thanks to her guidance, the Leader Accreditation process is more welcoming, responsive, and rooted in care. Melissa’s work will have a lasting impact on LLLC, shaping a future where new Leaders begin their journey in a space that truly values their voice and experiences.

Nalini is a steady, guiding presence, like a lighthouse offering calm and clarity through all tides. Her warm smile and attentive listening make everyone around her feel seen and supported. Nalini brings creativity and care to everything she does, always finding thoughtful solutions and making things happen with quiet determination. She is deeply supportive, generous with her time and energy, and a constant source of strength for those lucky enough to work alongside her.

Stephanie is a remarkable La Leche League Leader whose impact stretches far beyond the St. Albert, Alberta community. In addition to offering compassionate support by email, she serves in the Canadian Military as part of the 3rd Canadian Division, overseeing Army units across Western Canada. Her dedication to supporting breastfeeding families within military settings is both inspiring and groundbreaking.

Stephanie was honoured on International Women's Day for her work supporting lactating members in her Division and has ensured La Leche League Canada is represented at the CFB Edmonton IWD event for the past two years. One of her most significant contributions is the creation of a *Workplace Lactation Support Directive* for the 3rd Canadian Division. Developed as part of her Master’s research, this directive draws on literature, sociological insights, international military policies, and a 46-person study on lactation in Canadian Army workplaces. The findings were powerful and affirmed the immense resilience of women serving in the Armed Forces, many of whom have faced immense barriers just to continue feeding their babies.

Her directive is more than a policy, it is a testament to advocacy, care, and systemic change. It’s a valuable resource not only for military families but for any workplace seeking to better support lactating employees. Stephanie’s work has helped pave the way for a more informed, inclusive, and compassionate approach to lactation in demanding environments, and her leadership within LLLC continues to uplift families and Leaders across the country.

Susan’s support has been a lifeline for many new parents. One community member shared how, as a first-time mother feeling overwhelmed, Susan was one of the first truly listening ears she encountered and that support hasn’t wavered since. "There was such a sense of ‘you’ve got this, but we’re here if you need us,’" she wrote. Susan’s calm, kind presence helped cut through the noise of early motherhood, offering reassurance, validation, and the encouragement needed to trust her instincts.

Susan has helped build confidence, community, and connection. Her monthly Group meetings have become a safe and welcoming space where parents know they are supported and never alone. As one parent said, “I honestly don’t think I would have continued on my breastfeeding journey if it weren’t for Susan and the community she created for us.” Her empathy, wisdom, and open heart continue to make a lasting impact.

Sylvia has been a steady, compassionate presence in La Leche League Canada through her work with the Leader Accreditation Department. She brings kindness, patience, and care to every interaction, offering new Applicants and co-Leaders a gentle and supportive introduction to the heart of LLLC.

Sylvia’s contributions go far beyond checklists or paperwork! She embodies the spirit of LLLC through her thoughtful communication, generous listening, and deep commitment to helping others grow with confidence. For many, she is their very first experience of what it means to be part of this organization, and what a beautiful first impression that is. Her ability to hold space with respect and encouragement creates a safe, welcoming environment where people feel seen, valued, and genuinely supported. Sylvia’s presence has enriched our community in quiet but powerful ways, and we are deeply grateful for all that she brings.