Our Team.
Our charity is led by a small, devoted team united by deep belief in the life-giving power of breastfeeding. As the director, I join our passionate board members in changing state and federal policy to help more mothers breastfeed and ensure more babies receive breastmilk. Our team brings a dynamic blend of expertise in lactation support, doula training, birthing knowledge, NICU nursing and innovative marketing. Together, we form an ideal force to challenge government policies and the formula industry, advocating tirelessly for the needs of women and babies.
Jessica Isles
Founder & CEO
As the founder of The Breastfeeding Foundation, I bring a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to transforming U.S. policy to champion breastfeeding as the cultural norm. With a background in PR, advertising, and marketing, I understand the powerful influence of messaging and the aggressive tactics employed by the formula industry. My journey into motherhood revealed the intense pressures mothers face and threatened my own journey.
Thankfully, I succeeded in breastfeeding for many years, became a certified lactation specialist and a dedicated advocate for women's and infants rights to breastfeed.
The Breastfeeding Foundation is the culmination of my vision: a movement to empower women and shift our society from a formula-feeding culture to one that embraces and supports breastfeeding. We are driving meaningful policy change and providing critical resources for mothers nationwide. Your donations will fuel our mission to create a lasting, transformative impact.
Robin Brown
Board Member - Treasurer
Romy Rapoport
Board Member - Secretary
As a Labor Doula, Childbirth Educator, Lactation Specialist and La Leche League Leader I am passionate about supporting new families on the journey of parenthood. Serving on the board with this team aligns all that I believe is needed in our society. A healthier population begins with the proper care of mothers and infants. Focusing on breastfeeding as a cornerstone of infant health, we approach all policy changes that support breastfeeding as essential and urgent. This work is vital for individual health physically, mentally, and spiritually and I am so grateful to be a part of this revolution that will transform our society.
Chris Cortazzo
Board Member
As the father of two beloved children born through surrogacy, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of breastmilk in nurturing healthy, thriving babies. Our angel surrogate dedicated years to pumping, providing what I believe is the most vital substance for infants and young children. Through this journey, I’ve gained a deep understanding of breastmilk’s live components, which protect babies from infections and foster lifelong health. Serving on the Breastfeeding Foundation’s board is an honor, as it allows me to advocate for the critical role of breastmilk for all babies, including those born via surrogacy. I am committed to raising awareness and being a steadfast voice of support for pumping families, ensuring every child has access to this special gift of nourishment.
As a Registered Nurse (RN) with experience in postpartum care at Yale New Haven Hospital, I worked in the Newborn Nursery, assisting mothers with breastfeeding, administering newborn care and supporting maternal-infant bonding. Initially unaware of breastfeeding's profound benefits due to limited education and misinformation from formula marketing, my perspective shifted after my own children’s births highlighted the critical role of colostrum and breastfeeding. This experience fueled my advocacy for informed breastfeeding practices and accurate health risk warnings on formula packaging and why I'm proud to be on the board of The Breastfeeding Foundation.
