Who are the friendly faces you’ll meet at the BRC?
Colette M. Acker, IBCLC (she/her)
Colette is the Executive Director and a founder of the Breastfeeding Resource Center. She certified as an IBCLC in 1998. Colette is the recipient of the 2017 USLCA Award of Excellence. She is the third person in history to win this coveted honor. Colette works tirelessly to keep this small non-profit organization afloat. Colette has three grown children and is the proud grandmother of 2 (who were both breastfed!). She resides in Glenside with her husband, Rodney.
Louisa Brandenburger, IBCLC (she/her)
Louisa certified as an IBCLC in 2009. She’s worked in both the hospital and out-patient settings. Due to the popularity of our Abington office, Louisa now works full-time there. She’s also certified in Tummy Time and runs the BRC’s Tummy Time workshops. Louisa has been married for over 20 years and has four amazing kids who were all breastfed. In her spare time, she can be found driving to softball & soccer games. She is never without her kindle as reading is her second passion. (obviously, breastfeeding being her first!) She enjoys blogging about books and spending time with her family.
Jennifer McClure, IBCLC
Jen always knew she wanted to work with babies. She says, “I had many issues breastfeeding my second child. I was introduced to a breastfeeding counselor who helped me tremendously. After receiving that support, I wanted to repay the favor.” Jen became a peer breastfeeding counselor, and sat for her IBCLC exam in 2009. Jen has been with the BRC since 2007, starting in administration and then as an IBCLC. Jen loves her work at the BRC. She has been married to her husband for 17 years and has 3 amazing teenage children, all of whom were breastfed.
Hillary Chybinski
Hillary is our Program Director, and long-time volunteer at the BRC. Hillary found her passion for breastfeeding after the birth of her first child, and took the NMAC Counselor Training Class in order to help other moms succeed with their breastfeeding goals. Hillary graduated with a BS in Accounting from Cabrini University and has worked in Accounting and Social Media prior to joining the BRC staff. Hillary enjoys spending time with her family, preferably on a warm, sunny beach.
Amber Molnar
Amber has a passion for helping others and enjoys making sure our clients receive the best care through her administrative role at the BRC. She loves music, nature, cooking, gardening, traveling and snapping photos of all of the above. Amber is also a certified Usui Reiki Level 2 practitioner. She seeks to continuously improve herself so that she can be of the greatest service to others.
One of her favorite quotes: “Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest places if you look at it right.”
Rebecca Cadiz, Administrative Assistant
Rebecca is the Administrative Assistant for our King of Prussia location. After several years as admin staff in a wellness spa and doctor’s office, she greatly enjoys the unique opportunity to help others through her role at the BRC. She considers herself a lifelong learner, and is constantly taking chances to educate herself on new things. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys exploring new creative hobbies and spending time with her family. She believes that the most important thing she can offer in this world is kindness and tries to do so on every occasion.
Vera Khvedelidze
Vera certified as an IBCLC in 2018 and instantly joined BRC as a Lactation Consultant. She has more than 13 years experience in HealthCare management, medical devices, in emergency medicine, physician relations… Strong healthcare service professional with a MD focus in infant’s feeding from Medical University of Georgia. Vera is passionate about breastfeeding and patient care and has a very high energy level, which keeps her moving at several different directions at once at Holy Redeemer hospital. Speaks English, Russian and Georgian. Favorite hobbies are traveling, cooking, gardening.
Stephanie Brown, IBCLC (she/they)
“Stephanie Brown (she/they) is a queer IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and reproductive health advocate working and living in Philadelphia. They currently work at Temple University Hospital in addition to their private practice. Her professional work experience includes over ten years as a nanny, birth, postpartum and abortion doula and CLC (Certified Lactation Counselor). Originally from California, Stephanie has lived and worked in Philadelphia for 12 years. They offer LGBTQ+ competent care and have an inclusive practice that serves anyone and everyone. The work is home for her and they create that same safe space for clients and patients. Steph offers evidence based, non-judgemental support and options through every feeding journey and choice. They are currently pursuing a bachelors degree in Public Health and when not working or in school, Stephanie is hiking with her dog or napping with her cat!”
Samirah Brogdon, IBCLC intern
Samirah is currently participating in the BRC’s IBCLC internship program. In addition to her lactation services, she also helps families as a practicing doula.
Samirah loves reading and crocheting and crochets breast models for lactation consultants to use! After having her son, Ellis, Samirah was looking for another way to be helpful to other moms, so she decided to become a lactation consultant as well.
Melissa Donahue, IBCLC
Melissa became interested in becoming a Lactation consultant after experiencing trouble with her first son. She was amazed by the consultant’s knowledge. She became a peer counselor in 2015 and continues to serve as an active member. Melissa became an IBCLC in 2018 and has been fortunate enough to be part of the BRC in both her personal breastfeeding life and now as professional in this field!
Chloe Acker, IBCLC Temple Hospital
After breastfeeding her daughter and enjoying the journey so much, Chloe wanted to help and support families to do the same. After taking all the Health Sciences courses needed to become an IBCLC, Chloe quickly realized she would like to continue on to nursing school. She is currently working on the maternity floor at Temple for the BRC and loves every minute of it. She also loves spending time with her sweet daughter, reading and crocheting.
Milli Schaeffer
Milli found her passion for breastfeeding advocacy after the birth of her 1st child. She has been working with breastfeeding families since 2001 when she became a La Leche League Leader and a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor. Milli worked for the WIC Program for over 7 years before joining the BRC. She completed her certifications on CLC (Certified Lactation Counselor) in 2011, and CBS (Certified Breastfeeding Specialist) in 2015, before becoming an IBCLC in 2016. Milli is also a Certified Educator of Infant Massage (CEIM). She is fluent in English and Spanish. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and their children”.
Colette M. Acker IBCLC (she/her)
Executive Director
Louisa Brandenburger IBCLC (she/her)
Lactation Consultant
Michael Gordon
Language Arts Teacher
