Committees
The Advocacy, Networking and Action Committee advises the Board on advocacy and relevant global health initiatives supportive of breastfeeding, coordinates networking with other relevant organizations that protect, promote and/or support breastfeeding, and recommends actions relevant to advocacy and networking.
Contact: actioncmte@llli.org
Judy Canahuati (Chair)
Sandy Moore-Furneaux (Board Liaison)
Linda Smith (Advocacy Liaison)
Heidy Guzmán
Hiroko Hongo
Kathleen Anderson
Johanna Rhys-Davies
Juanita Jauer Steichen
Laura Goodwin-Wright
as of October 2019
The Audit Committee presents to the Board 1) a recommendation of an independent public accountant to be employed for preparation of the audit for the current fiscal year and 2) the auditor’s report and any response to questions regarding contents and procedures used.
Contact: marianne.vakiener@gmail.com
Marianne Vakiener (Chair)
Laura Goodwin-Wright
as of June 2019
The Bylaws Committee advises the Board on matters pertaining to the basic rules of governance of the organization and consults with appropriate legal counsel, as needed, to ensure that the Bylaws conform with laws of the State of Illinois so that all functions of the organization may be effectively and efficiently carried out in conformity with established policies and procedures of LLLI.
Contact: devorah@almondweb.com
Devorah Schesch-Wernick (Chair)
Edith Boxman
Judy Elder
Ellen Mateer
Sandy Moore-Furneaux
Susan Oldrieve
Linda Smith
Cecily Harkins (Ex-Officio)
DCE Review Panel of Proposed Bylaws and Policies, a Subcommittee of the Bylaws Committee
RuthAnna Mather (Chair)
Diane Thompson
Eden Anderson
Eileen Harrison
Janine Pinkham
Jennifer Iwata
Marie-lyne Pelletier
Stephanie Nicholson
Devorah Schesch-Wernick (Board Bylaws Committee Liaison)
Cecily Harkins (Ex-Officio)
as of June 2019
The Concept Review Committee is reviewing each of the LLL Concepts and their accompanying Concept Explanations in Appendix 17 of the Policies and Standing Rules and will make recommendations for changes to the Board of Directors.
Contact: mariebeam@aol.com and heidy.guzman@ymail.com
Marie Beam (Co-chair)
Heidy Guzman (Co-chair)
Marcella Bonanno
Edith Boxman
Valeria Calderon
Paula Clay
Kay Denney
Misha Laudicina
Ellen Longman
Krysia Lynch
Sandy Moore-Furneaux
Asay Mori
Nicole Peluso
Lesley Robinson
Linda Smith
Melanie Tarr
Carmen Vandenabeele
Linda Wieser
as of June 2019
The Finance Committee is responsible for advising the Board on matters pertaining to the fiscal and/or financial operation of LLLI and works with staff to prepare the budget for each fiscal year. The Committee presents the budget to the Board for approval. The Committee also reviews financial policies of the organization and develops any further policies deemed necessary.
Contact: lllleadersandy@gmail.com
Sandy Moore-Furneaux (Chair)
Edie Boxman
Richard (Dick) Bennett
Carolyn Driver-Burgess
Ellen Mateer
Devorah Schesch-Wernick
Amy Shaw
Carmen Vandenabeele
as of November 2019
The Global Leaders Committee is composed of elected Leader-representatives from each Direct Connect Entity to facilitate communication between Leaders and the LLLI Board of Directors and staff.
Contact: Globalleaderscommittee@gmail.com
Alliance
| Charlene Jenkins |
| Carol Kolar |
| Melissa Onofrey |
| Linda Smith |
European Area Network
| Mary Bird |
| Viola Csordas |
| Lydia DeRaad |
| Herrade Hemmerdinger |
| Silvia Scozzafava |
International Area Network
| Vicky Reynell |
| Priscilla Stothers |
| Guille Vazquez |
Ligue La Leche
| Rita Daaboul |
| Mylene Schryburt |
LLL Canada
| Michelle Pensa Branco |
| Mel Neal |
LLL Great Britain
| Emilia Bertolo |
| vacant |
LLL New Zealand
| Mary Roache |
| Christine Vaughan |
LLL USA
| Linda Anderson |
| Tina Pursley Castellanos |
| Alyson Casey Dewar |
| Debbi Heffern |
| Jennifer Rushton |
| Marianne Vakiener |
as of July 2018
The purpose of the Inclusivity and Outreach Committee is to advise the Board of Directors and make recommendations aimed at increasing inclusivity and outreach throughout La Leche League.
Contact: heidy.guzman@ymail.com and soconnor@llli.org
Heidy Guzman (Co-chair)
Shevawn O’Connor (Co-Chair)
Sue Dowling
Carolyn Driver-Burgess
Wilma Matos
Elisheva Nakash
Marianne Vakeiner
Cecily Harkins (Ex-officio)
Keith Williams (Staff Liaison)
as of June 2019
The International Code and Conflict of Interest Committee:
• reviews all LLLI policies related to the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent WHA Resolutions (Code)
• reviews policies relevant to potential conflicts with the Code or other conflicts of interest (CoI) related to collaboration with other organizations, companies, or individuals
• evaluates, upon request, potential relationships that LLLI, other LLL entities, or Leaders may be considering with corporate entities, the media, other business interests, or other individuals that could present conflicts with the Code, other conflicts of interest, or conflicts with LLL philosophy
• offers information and guidance to the LLLI Board of Directors, the Executive Director, the Development Director, or other LLLI staff, other LLL entities, or Leaders who have questions pertaining to these issues
• makes recommendations to the LLLI Board or staff, other LLL entities, or Leaders related to the Code and possible conflicts of interest,
• ensures that the chapter in the Leader Handbook is updated periodically to reflect changes in:
o the International Code,
o new World Health Assembly (WHA) resolutions impacting the description of the Code in the chapter,
o information about LLLI partnerships related to the Code, and
o resources for Leader training, and
• makes current recommendations regarding Board and Leader training in the Code and facilitate such training when possible.
Contact: lllleadersandy@gmail.com
Sandy Moore-Furneaux (Chair)
Betty Crase
Janette Hurley
Rachel O’Leary
Juanita Jauer Steichen
Linda J. Smith
as of October 2019
The LAD Council is responsible for overseeing the accreditation of LLL Leaders worldwide within the framework of the organization’s philosophy and policy set by the LLLI Board of Directors.
Contact: toshijolliffe@gmail.com
Toshi Joliffe, LLLI LAD Director
Cindy Garrison, Advisor
Karin Ali, Secretary and LLL Alliance ALA
Linda Wieser, Resource Coordinator
Lori Bryan, LLL USA ALA
Clare Davidson, LLL Great Britain ALA
Tiziana De Meo, LLL Europe ALA
Linda King Gaboriaud, Ligue La Leche ALA
Laura Laubach, LLL Europe ALA
Juliet Matthee, LLL Asia, Africa and Middle East ALA
Mariana Petersen, LLL Latin America ALA
Roberta Samec, LLL Canada ALA
Alison Stanton, LLL New Zealand ALA
Amy Shaw (Board Liaison)
as of June 2019
The Nominating Committee advises the Board on matters pertaining to nominations and elections, ensures that nominations and elections function effectively and efficiently and in conformity with established LLLI policies and procedures, and carries out specific assignments by the Chair of the Board.
Contact: ellenlll87@gmail.com
Ellen Mateer (Chair)
Marie Beam
Susan Oldrieve
Devorah Schesch-Wernick
Amy Shaw
as of June 2019
The Ombudsperson’s Committee is a fair, impartial body that evaluates grievances to bring about peaceful, mutually agreeable outcomes.
| RuthAnna Mather (Chair) |
| Lynne Coates |
| Joan Crothers |
| Judith Elder |
| Nancy Franklin |
| Shera Lyn Parpia |
| Katherine Velasquez |
| Cecily Harkins (Ex-Officio) |
| Zion Tankard (Staff Liaison) |
as of September 2019
The Personnel Committee advises the Board on matters pertaining to LLLI personnel, both paid and volunteer. The Committee conducts the annual Board evaluation.
Contact: laura@llli.org
Laura Goodwin-Wright (Chair)
as of June 2019
The Program Services Committee determines what volunteer support services are needed throughout LLL and communicates with Leaders throughout the world in order to assess the current needs of the LLL community.
Contact: amy@llli.org
Amy Shaw (Chair)
Betty Crase
Cindy Garrison
Ellen Mateer
Shevawn O’Connor
Simela Petridou
Devorah Schesch-Wernick
Linda Smith
Cecily Harkins (Ex-officio)
Keith Williams (Staff Liaison)
as of November 2019
The Resource Development Committee advises and makes recommendations to the Board on matters pertaining to donations and grants. The Committee also coordinates Board participation in fundraising for LLLI. The Committee liaises with the LLLI Development Director, consults/discusses fundraising activities, and assists in building LLLI relationships with donors.
Contact: susan@llli.org
Susan Oldrieve (Chair)
Ann Calandro
Carolyn Driver-Burgess
Laura Goodwin-Wright
Kevin Leopold
Shevawn O’Connor
Marianne Vakiener
Cecily Harkins (Ex-officio)
Keith Williams (Staff Liaison)
as of June 2019
The Social Media and Website Committee fosters and facilitates LLL community-building among Leaders, the Board and staff through an interactive venue for discussion, information and education regarding all aspects of LLL; drafts guidelines for “code of conduct” in LLL social media; acts as moderators in ongoing discussions; and monitors posts to assure that discussions are within the frame of the guidelines and no inappropriate or offensive posts remain published. Committee members advocate for the web needs of the LLL community and serve as advisors to staff to make the most effective use of the LLLI website, focusing on user satisfaction. The committee provides recommendations on the content format and development of the LLLI website and establishes procedures that set high standards for site quality and content integrity.
Contact: ellenlll87@gmail.com
Ellen Mateer (Chair)
Sivan Ben-Orr
Emilia Bertolo
Melissa Lezameta
Sandy Moore-Furneaux
Ellen Rubin
Carla Scarsi
Elizabeth Schroder
Lydia Simpson
Caroline Behe (Staff Liaison)
as of June 2019