GOLD Speakers

Michelle Pensa Branco, MPH IBCLC

• Country: Canada

Biography:

Michelle Pensa Branco MPH IBCLC is a lactation consultant and public health advocate. In addition to her clinical practice, which has included both in-hospital, outpatient and private practice settings, she advocates for improved maternal-child health practices at the local, national and global level. She has a particular interest in the impact of trauma to breastfeeding families, models of peer support to improve breastfeeding outcomes and the application of health communication principles to the promotion and protection of breastfeeding. Michelle serves as the Director of Peer Support Programs and provides clinical lactation expertise for Nurture Project International, the only international NGO focused exclusively on infant feeding in emergencies. With Jodine Chase, she co-founded a Canadian non-profit organization, SafelyFed Canada. A La Leche League Canada (LLLC) Leader since 2007, Michelle is currently Vice-Chair of the LLLC Board with a focus on external relations.  She is also an active member of the Ontario Public Health Association’s Breastfeeding Promotion Working Group and serves on the communication team of the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada. Michelle has previously served as the Communications Director for the Canadian Lactation Consultants Association as well as the Toronto Coordinator of INFACT Canada. When she is not travelling for work, Michelle stays close to home, living with her family just outside Toronto, Ontario, Canada.