John Regnery, MPH, RD, LD

John Regnery is a registered dietitian working in the NICU at Ascension Seton Medical Center. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin and completed his Masters and dietetic internship at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Since starting in the NICU nearly a decade ago, John has focused his efforts on educating pediatric residents, medical students, dietetic interns, and other practitioners on neonatal nutrition. He has been part of the intestinal rehab team, and is currently on multiple nutrition subcommittees and nutrition quality improvement (QI) projects. John's day-to-day role involves the use of donor milk to protect and nourish premature infants. And as a father to him and his wife's first child, John is personally committed to supporting his family and community to have the appropriate nutritional care. "Mother's Milk Bank at Austin has helped tens of thousands of the smallest and sickest babies across the country. I am honored to serve the organization's mission and families in need."

Jeanne Anne Pratt-Martin

Jeanne Anne Martin is a wife, mother of three and a volunteer of various organizations including CASA. She grew up in North Carolina and attended college at UNC-Greensboro where she studied psychology and art. She moved to Austin in 1998 to attend UT’s School of Social Work and worked in mental health until she married and had her first child Davis. Her relationship with the Milk Bank began shortly after her son’s birth as he was diagnosed with failure to thrive and her family doctor wrote a prescription for human milk. Additionally, her twin daughters were born prematurely and also benefitted from human milk during their NICU stays. These experiences led her to a deep gratitude and appreciation of MMBA and she has been an active supporter ever since. Jeanne Anne enjoys ceramics and making sculptures, eating out, and traveling with her family. She is honored to join the MMBA board of directors.

Alyssa Walden, MD

Lashauntee L. Jones, MSN, RN, RNC-OB, C-ONQS

Lashauntee L. Jones, MSN, RN, RNC-OB, C-ONQS is a nurse manager at Texas Children's Pavilion for Women North Austin Outpatient Women Services. She received her BSN and MSN from The University of Texas at Austin. Throughout her 14-year nursing career, she has focused primarily on health equity, quality, and patient safety in high-risk obstetrics. Lashauntee is a faculty member for the TexasAIM Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy Learning Collaborative. In addition, she has served in the roles of Level IV Maternal Program Manager, ACOG nurse surveyor, TeamSTEPPS Master Trainer, and Clinical Nursing Instructor. "I remember being so excited to volunteer for Mothers Milk Bank Austin as an undergraduate in nursing school. It is an incredible privilege to serve as a Board Member for this organization whose impact is worldwide."

Lakshmy Vaidyanathan, MD

Dr. Vaidyanathan is a Board Certified Pediatric Hospitalist at Ascension Seton Medical Center, Austin. She joined the University of Texas Dell Medical School Faculty as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in 2016. Dr. Vaidyanathan is a Fellow of Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine since 2017. She is also certified as an IBCLC since 2013. Dr. Vaidyanathan obtained her Medical degree from the University of Calicut, India and completed her Pediatrics Residency training at Children’s Hospital of Austin. She has been practicing in Austin with Seton Family of Hospitals since 2000 and has been a teaching faculty for Pediatrics and Family Practice Residency Programs. Dr. Vaidyanathan has been instrumental in establishing the Donor Milk program in the Well Baby Nursery at Seton Medical Center, Austin. Dr. Vaidyanathan and her husband have lived in Austin for the past 25 years and have 2 daughters. “I am honored and excited to serve the MMBA and to promote breastfeeding, good health and well being of newborns. I am extremely proud of all of MMBA’s accomplishments and incredible life saving efforts”.

Veronica Hendrix, LVN, IBCLC, RLC

Veronica Hendrix is a nurse and lactation consultant who has been assisting mother-baby dyads to successfully breastfeed for over 18 years. She is passionate about bringing awareness to the community about the benefits of mother's milk and has been serving as the Program Coordinator in state government for the Texas WIC program's Texas Ten Step Program. This designation program aims to build support for breastfeeding from healthcare providers in hospitals and birth centers across the state through implementation of the WHO/UNICEF's Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a bundle of evidence-based practices that improve health and breastfeeding outcomes. Veronica joined the Board of Directors of MMBA in January 2019. "I believe it is a basic human right for every infant to receive their mother's milk or donor human milk. There is so much more to learn about the benefits and uniqueness of this extraordinary fluid and it goes without saying that the most critical infants should be receiving this opportunity without question. I am eager to do what is needed to support the mission of Mothers' Milk Bank at Austin, and look forward to the exciting work ahead." My "why" started over 20 years ago when I was facing my own challenges as a new mother struggling to breastfeed. I was fortunate to have a supportive husband, family, and access to a friend of mine who was an IBCLC who could help support me and my baby throughout our feeding experience. Breastfeeding is natural, but takes skill that we don’t always come to the table with, and as I share with the clients I work with today, it is like a dance between two people and both are learning. Every mother and baby have the right to live and thrive in a society where the healthiest choices for their family are the default choices. What I've learned since I started down this path though is in order for a woman to be successful in reaching her breastfeeding goal, like me, she must have support at every turn- including where she gives birth, where she lives, and where she works. Access to well-informed lactation support should be, but isn't available to everyone. The transition between the hospital and community so that continuity of care is seamless, should be, but isn't available to everyone. The opportunity to return to work and continue to express breastmilk for your baby should be, but isn't available for everyone. And, you may not know this too, but access to life-saving breastmilk should be, but isn't available to everyone. Joining MMBA added to my personal mission to ensure that all mothers reach their breastfeeding goals and that every baby has access to life-saving donor breastmilk. This is my why- and I look forward to the day when my work in this area is no longer needed because every mama is successful, and every baby has the healthiest start to their life!"

Sara Jane Cantwell (also on President’s Council)

Secretary

Sara Jane Cantwell is a wife, mother of three and active philanthropist. She grew up locally and attended college at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas where she studied nursing. She has been married to her husband Chad since May 2002. All three of their children were premature and NICU patients. Her youngest child and only son entered the school system at four years old after he was diagnosed with Autism. His diagnosis along with her passion for helping in the community kick started her work in philanthropy. Sara Jane enjoys spending time with her family, exploring Austin and the local hill country. Sara Jane joined the MMBA board of directors in January 2020. “I was introduced to Mother’s Milk Bank at Austin during my volunteering experience on site through The Junior League of Austin, I fell in love with the mission and passion behind MMBA’s process and outreach.”

Yujuan Hua, CPA

Treasurer

Yujuan is a financial controller at National Oilwell Varco in Houston. She was introduced to MMBA as a new mom in 2019 by her local breastfeeding support group. As she learned about the benefits of lactation support and breastmilk for her own healthy daughter, she also became aware of such benefits for premature babies and mothers with lactation challenges and began donating her excess milk until her daughter was weaned. She has continued her commitment to the mission of MMBA by serving its Finance Committee beginning in 2019, and later, joining its board of directors. Yujuan holds a master’s degree in accounting from Indiana University and lives in Houston with her husband and daughter. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, running, drinking tea, and eating spicy food. “I have been surprised and encouraged by the passion and dedication of breastfeeding advocates, first by the IBCLC's and breastfeeding support groups, and now by the MMBA staff and members. It’s an honor to serve on the board, and I look forward to contributing to an organization that makes positive impacts on the most fragile babies and their families.”

Elizabeth Polinard, PhD, RN

President

Elizabeth Polinard received her PhD in Nursing from The University of Texas at Austin and is currently the Clinical Professional Development Consultant for Perinatal and Neonatal Services for the Ascension Seton healthcare network. In this role, she creates and implements clinical education for both new and experienced nurses as well as other healthcare providers. Additionally, as co-founder and co-chair of the Ascension Texas Council on Racial and Health Equity, Elizabeth envisions a world in which health disparities no longer exist. Her membership on the MMBA Board is part of this work. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her exceptional family. “What a privilege to serve the MMBA as a Board member. Not only is this organization’s mission a sacred one but - one of life’s many synchronicities - Dr. George Sharpe, co-founder of the MMBA, was my oldest son’s neonatologist 28 years ago.”

Julia Weatherby

Amanda Koellhofer, B.A.

A former donor mom, Amanda brings more than 15 years experience in marketing and event planning to the MMBA board. After graduating from UT Austin, she enjoyed a sales and marketing career with Dell, NetQoS and Solarwinds before staying home to be a full-time mom to her twin boys. Amanda has also served on boards of the American Marketing Association, Austin Chapter, and the TLLC Child Development Center. She is involved in her church and dedicated to service — especially for kids and families. Amanda loves to read, spend time with family and friends, and travel with her family. “I learned about the Milk Bank when I had a freezer full of breastmilk near expiration that my twins would not need. I discovered Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin, and I am so proud of the donations I made. The volume of milk that would feed my boys for a few days could feed many sweet babies fighting for their lives for much longer. My breastfeeding days may be gone, but not my passion for saving the lives of babies with a critical need for donor milk. The community created through mothers donating milk, families supporting our Charitable Care program, babies thriving because of another mother’s gift, and recipient family’s appreciation is simply beautiful.”

Peter Untalan, MD

Peter has been providing neonatalogy services with the Pediatrix Medical Group of Austin since 2002. He is driven to ensure the best care to infants, children, and their families. Dr. Untalan, a strong supporter of the power of nutrition and breast milk, served as the President of Mother’s Milk Bank at Austin from 2010-2015. He received his medical degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and performed his residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Peter is thankful for the constant support of his wife Sydney and three children, Antonia, Pedro, and Frances. “Working with the milk bank is a life mission, because I want to ensure the best nutrition is readily available for our most at-risk babies.”

Nan Kinzler

Nan Kinzler holds a Masters in Architecture from UT Austin. She has over 35 years of experience in both residential and light commercial construction and architectural design. In 2007 she opened her own consulting and construction management firm, Small House Productions. "While I first became involved with MMBA by providing input to the building design committee; I had an earlier awareness of the need for donor breast milk - while visiting a friend at the NICU, where her son had been born extremely prematurely (26 weeks). Though she was able to provide milk for her son, there were other babies, that were receiving donor milk. I'm excited to be involved with such a crucial program and am looking forward to helping to increase awareness of the continuing need for breast milk donors, and to help broaden the base of financial supporters."

Audelio (Sonny) Rivera, Jr., MD

Neonatologist, Pediatrix Medical Group/St. David’s Medical Center

Carolyn Kenny

Carolyn is a Manager at Deloitte Consulting in Austin. She came to MMBA as Board Fellow in the MBA program at the University of Texas at Austin, which matches graduate business students with local non profit organizations. Her Bioengineering background was a good match, and she worked with the board on the ongoing challenge of increasing milk supply to meet growing demand. From this project as well as a NICU tour, Carolyn learned about the challenges recipients face and the profound impact receiving human donor milk has on their ability to thrive. She enjoys exploring Austin with her husband, son, and dog. "I volunteer for Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin, because I believe the donor human milk we provide can save babies lives, improve their long-term health, and have a positive impact that extends to their families and communities. The work performed every day at MMBA embodies Margaret Mead’s wisdom, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’ I am inspired by the generosity and passion of MMBA’s staff and volunteers and grateful for the opportunity to serve on the MMBA board."

Jennifer Goetz, MD

Jennifer Goetz is a neonatologist with Mednax, Inc. whose primary practice location is St. David's Medical Center. She joined the MMBA board of directors in January 2014. Jennifer obtained her medical degree at the University of Louisville in 2007, then completed a pediatrics residency and neonatology fellowship at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. She also earned an M.A. in bioethics and health policy from Loyola University Chicago. In Austin since 2013, brings her passion for hands-on clinical care to her patients in the NICU. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two dogs. "I see firsthand, every day, the beneficial effects of donor human milk for our smallest and sickest babies.”

Barbara Wilson-Clay, IBCLC

Karen Swenson, MD

Andrea Morgan

Veronica Cogwin

John Thornborrow

Founder at Austin Impact Capital, John brings to the MMBA Board of Directors twenty years of executive financial management experience. He has served in a variety of financial and operations roles in public and private technology companies. He is active in the Austin-area social impact investing space in the healthcare and education technology sectors. In addition to the MMBA, he serves on the boards of directors at Mission Capital, Charity Dynamics, and the Austin Community College Foundation. He earned an M.B.A. from UT Austin. “I love the mission of MMBA, because it exemplifies the commitment of families in the community supporting other families. Moms volunteer and donate human milk that nourishes tiny preemie babies in need. And MMBA ensures that this life-saving milk is safe and effective for these at-risk infants.”

Jana Sharpe-Sanders

Jana Sharpe-Sanders is the daughter of Dr. George Sharpe, one of the cofounders of Mothers’ Milk Bank Austin, and the Milk Bank has been a very important part of her life from the beginning. Since Dr. Sharpe’s passing in 2006, Jana has increased her involvement with the Milk Bank, becoming a milk donor in 2009 after the birth of her second child. Jana works in physical therapy in the Austin area, and is married with two daughters: Kira and Keelin. “Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin has been a part of my family since day one, and I am lucky to have been able to be a milk donor, financial donor, and now serve on the Board of Directors. I am proud of the work that my father started, and what the MMBA has done in reaching out to our local community and beyond, to the international community. The education about the benefits of breastmilk, medical research, and constant need for financial donations, to support us in our mission to save the lives of medically fragile infants, is vital to our success and health of the human population, worldwide.”

Danielle Plattenburg Arnold, MD

Dr. Arnold is a pediatric hospitalist at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Round Rock. She earned her medical degree at the UT Southwestern Medical School in 2012. She completed her training in pediatrics at the University of Colorado Pediatric Residency Program. Dr. Arnold is passionate about educating families and future healthcare professionals, including medical students and residents, about the benefits of human milk. As a mother of color, she has a special interest in addressing health disparities and inequalities in care during the perinatal period. She joined the MMBA board of directors in January 2019, and enjoys exploring Austin with her husband and two children. “I am excited to contribute to the milk bank because it serves such a crucial role for vulnerable patients who cannot speak for themselves. The science and service provided by MMBA protects fragile neonates and ensures optimal nutrition for many in need. In addition, if the milk bank continues to invest in the education of healthcare professions, it will make an impact on generations of babies to come. It is an honor to be a part of such a noble mission.”

Michael Crowe

Secretary

Michael Crowe is a partner with the law firm of Husch Blackwell, LLP. Michael graduated from the UT School of Law and, for over twenty years, has focused his legal energies almost exclusively on healthcare law and policy. He is married to the talented and effervescent Hope Morrison and has three wonderful daughters; Sarah, Amelia, and Natalie. Michael enjoys mowing the yard and watching TV. “I first heard of the milk bank from Hope, who made sizable deposits after our daughter Amelia was born. Fast forward sixteen years to my law school buddy, Marianne Baker-Bolduc, explaining the history and mission of the milk bank, and asking if I wanted to get involved. I was thrilled to be asked, and am honored to serve this life-saving organization.”

Sikander Adeni, MD

Sikander Adeni has been a Neonatologist for almost 30 years now, and one of his greatest joys in practice has been observing, first hand, the significant decrease in NEC with increasing Breast milk usage in NICUs all over the country. He completed his training in Pediatrics and Neonatology in Philadelphia and Chicago, after which he spent a decade with Academic and Private Neonatology Practices in Chicago . He moved to Austin in 2001 and since then has been with the Mednax Neonatology group based at Ascension (Seton) affiliated hospitals in the Austin Metro area. He has served as the administrative Medical NICU Director for multiple NICUs in the Ascension system. He has a deep interest in Medical Ethics and has served, in the past, as a member and chairperson of the Ethics Committee at Dell Children’s hospital. Sikander is married to Shubha Adeni, a Pediatrician, for over 30 years and they have raised 3 children together (currently adults). The Adenis enjoy travelling, working out, contributing to charitable endeavors, reading and have a keen appreciation of the natural world. “As a firm believer in the positive influence of Breast Milk in the care and development of preterm infants, I am very pleased to be practicing in a city that has access to high quality, dependable donor Breast milk. I am honored to be associated with a prestigious organization that essentially sets the standard for milk banking in the country."