Like many lactation consultants, it was Jandy’s own struggles with her first child that inspired her to become an IBCLC. Jandy began attending a mother to mother support group when her oldest was one week old. She continued attending through her second pregnancy and while she continued nursing her second child. 5 years later, when she began the observation period to become an IBCLC, she stopped. It was the mothers in that group and the IBCLC that ran it that helped her develop her passion from breastfeeding and helping mother reach their individual breastfeeding goals. In 2014 Jandy began the program at the International Breastfeeding Centre and in 2017 she wrote the exam and certified as an IBCLC.
Jandy now has a growing private practice in Durham Region and surrounding areas, she works frequently at the International Breastfeeding Centre helping mothers from all over Ontario, Canada and around the world who come from help there. Jandy also works with the team at Barefoot Health in Ajax. She is also a Babywearing Educator and loves to help parents find the carrier that best fits their family’s needs.
Jandy is active in her local community helping plan National and World Breastfeeding week events and is an active member of the Durham Breastfeeding Coalition serving as the chair from 2012 to 2018.
She graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Social Science in Leisure Studies.
Jandy grew up in Toronto and now lives in Ajax, Ontario with her husband, their 3 children and their dog.
Laura Patterson
treasurer TERM 2020-2021
It was Laura's own struggles with breastfeeding that
highlighted the need for more support in this area. Her background is in the
pharmaceutical industry where she felt too far removed from the impact she was
making on others Iives to be truly content. The change to her career came
just as Laura was laid off from her job and pregnant with her third child. Like
many others before her, she took him to the breastfeeding clinic while she
obtained her clinical hours. Just like breastfeeding success, she credits the
support of her entire family to reach her goal of becoming an IBCLC.
She sees families at home pre and post natally in the York,
Durham and surrounding areas. She am is staff at the Newman Breastfeeding
Clinic in Toronto Ontario.
Laura has a Bachelor of Arts and Science from Athabasca
University, and a diploma in Science Laboratory Technology from Fanshawe
College.
Jillian Simon
Communications director
TERM 2020-2021
As a registered midwife and IBCLC Jillian is passionate about supporting families in their plans for chest/breastfeeding. As the owner of a 8 midwifery clinic she has dedicated much time and energy over the past year to developing social media and web-based information for families. The importance of the dissemination of information to new families in multiple platforms is an important element of encouraging breastfeeding. Jillian is keen to help CLCA further develop its communication plans and support Canadian lactation consultants in connecting with families.
Breastfeeding support is Jillian’s biggest passion. She has recently developed an LC program at her local hospital and has presented education rounds to the Birth Centre nurses, doctors and midwives. Jillian holds 3 bachelor's degrees in Linguistics, Education and Midwifery and has been an IBLCE-certified LC for 3 years. She has also completed a diploma program in Editing and Publishing. She has experience in teaching non-native English speakers, curriculum development and in writing patient educational materials.
Jillian hopes to expand her experience and work in lactation in the coming year and she is eager to do more volunteer work with CLCA and other local lactation support services. She has recently reduced her midwifery caseload in order to make room in her schedule in order to engage in more lactation promoting activities. Jillian would be honoured to have the opportunity to serve on the CLCA Board of Directors.
Raha Afshariani
education director
term 2019-2020
Raha is an internationally trained medical doctor who graduated from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (Iran) with a pediatrics specialty degree. She worked at Shiraz University for a duration of 12 years as a lecturer and coordinator of breastfeeding workshops.
Raha follows integrative thinking as her methodology and pedagogy, she believes that making decisions in a difficult condition brings innovation and creativity. With the respect of connecting mother earth and meditation, Raha uses the spiritual aspects of breastfeeding when consulting.
As an IBCLC she follows her love and passion to be an advocate of community-based breastfeeding promotion for the sake of nursing mothers and their babies. Through an advanced lactation training program, Raha has been awarded the right to use the title of Advanced Lactation Consultant (ALC) by the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice of the USA since 2011. She has also done some research activities related to breastfeeding.
Raha moved to Canada in 2012 and currently lives in Toronto, Ontario. She founded a breastfeeding corporation named R and R consulting. R and R consulting guides and educates families, with emphasis on both maternal and paternal roles, on achieving successful breastfeeding practices.
Throughout her career Raha has been well known for enthusiastically dedicating herself to her job while paying special attention to codes of ethics. Her innovative teaching has always been a merit that has benefited both students and the educational system.
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