Letter from the Executive Director
Before introducing myself, I want to take a moment to recognize USLCA’s President, Stacy Davis, for her extraordinary dedication during this leadership transition. While the Executive Director position was vacant, Stacy carried the responsibilities of both roles on a volunteer basis all while balancing her own professional and family life. Her commitment kept USLCA running, and I am deeply grateful.
For those who don’t know me: I’ve been a nurse for 34 years and an IBCLC for 17. My journey into lactation began with my own experience struggling to nurse my daughter, who was born at 37 weeks. I was fortunate to have access to both inpatient and outpatient support at the hospital where I delivered, and even a home visit from a Lactation Consultant. Although I had long worked with families and babies, it wasn’t until that personal experience that I truly understood the challenges so many families face with breastfeeding.
Throughout my nursing career, I’ve had the privilege of working in a variety of lactation-supportive environments: a hospital just beginning its Baby-Friendly journey, a children’s hospital with a dedicated Lactation Team that mentored me and supported me in earning my CLC, and a hospital where Baby-Friendly principles were already deeply engrained into the culture. Each of these experiences shaped me into the IBCLC I am today.
While I have a master’s degree in nursing education, I’m committed to lifelong learning for both myself and for others. I believe our profession grows when we invest in education, research, and the people coming up behind us. I’ve had the honor of mentoring several aspiring Lactation Consultants, and I hope to continue inspiring the next generation as we expand USLCA’s membership and educational offerings.
My goal is to be a visible, accessible resource for our members while advancing professional development and evidence-based practice. In the coming year, I’m aiming to grow membership by at least 15% and attend five or more state chapter events. I’ll continue collaborating with our Professional Development Coordinator, WHO Code team, and Accredited Provider Unit to ensure our speakers and content reflect the best of our field. I’m also exploring new funding opportunities through partnerships and sponsorships.
I am honored to serve USLCA and truly look forward to connecting with many of you at Clinical Day and our 20th Anniversary celebration in Atlanta.
Sincerely,
Dawn Baltz, MSN, RNC-NIC, IBCLC, RLC
USLCA Executive Director
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