COBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
COBA Chair
Becky Mannel, MPH, IBCLC, FILCA
Becky has worked in lactation for almost 30 years. She developed and then managed the hospital-wide lactation service at OU Medical Center for 15 years. She is currently Director of the Oklahoma Breastfeeding Resource Center in the Department of OB/GYN at OU Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) and Executive Director for the Oklahoma Mothers’ Milk Bank (OMMB). She leads the Becoming Baby-Friendly in Oklahoma project sponsored by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH). Becky also developed and oversees the Oklahoma Breastfeeding Hotline and provides professional training/education to Oklahoma hospitals to improve their breastfeeding care and outcomes, both OSDH-funded projects.
As a faculty member at OUHSC, Becky has developed a variety of trainings for health care and publicbhealth providers including the first formal clinical training in Oklahoma for aspiring lactation consultants. She has presented extensively at state, national and international professional conferences. Becky served 4 years on the Editorial Review Board of the Journal of Human Lactation and has served as Lead Editor for two editions of the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) textbook, Core Curriculum for Lactation Consultant Practice. She co-edited the new (2018) Core Curriculum for Interdisciplinary Lactation Care sponsored by the Lactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee.
Becky is serving a 2-year term, 2021 – 2022, as President of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) Board of Directors and represents HMBANA on the US Breastfeeding Committee. She is past Chair of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and past President of ILCA. Becky has represented the lactation consultant profession at national-level meetings, including those for the development of the 2011 U.S. Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding and at national strategy meetings sponsored by the CDC from 2010 to 2014. In 2014, Becky was elected as a full member of the International Society for Research in Human Milk and Lactation and is involved in several lactation related research studies.
In 2017, Becky was awarded the Warren Crosby Champion for Maternal and Infant Health Award by the Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative. This award is given for “championing efforts to improve outcomes for Oklahoma’s mothers and infants and going above and beyond to do what is right for the patients”.
Becky has been involved in COBA since its founding in 2000 and has served in various offices, including Chair 2006-2009 and 2012-2017.
She lives with her husband in Edmond, has 3 grown children and is a proud grandmother of 2.
Contact Becky: chair@okbreastfeeding.org
Becky Mannel, MPH, IBCLC, FILCA
Becky has worked in lactation for almost 30 years. She developed and then managed the hospital-wide lactation service at OU Medical Center for 15 years. She is currently Director of the Oklahoma Breastfeeding Resource Center in the Department of OB/GYN at OU Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) and Executive Director for the Oklahoma Mothers’ Milk Bank (OMMB). She leads the Becoming Baby-Friendly in Oklahoma project sponsored by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH). Becky also developed and oversees the Oklahoma Breastfeeding Hotline and provides professional training/education to Oklahoma hospitals to improve their breastfeeding care and outcomes, both OSDH-funded projects.
As a faculty member at OUHSC, Becky has developed a variety of trainings for health care and publicbhealth providers including the first formal clinical training in Oklahoma for aspiring lactation consultants. She has presented extensively at state, national and international professional conferences. Becky served 4 years on the Editorial Review Board of the Journal of Human Lactation and has served as Lead Editor for two editions of the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) textbook, Core Curriculum for Lactation Consultant Practice. She co-edited the new (2018) Core Curriculum for Interdisciplinary Lactation Care sponsored by the Lactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee.
Becky is serving a 2-year term, 2021 – 2022, as President of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) Board of Directors and represents HMBANA on the US Breastfeeding Committee. She is past Chair of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and past President of ILCA. Becky has represented the lactation consultant profession at national-level meetings, including those for the development of the 2011 U.S. Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding and at national strategy meetings sponsored by the CDC from 2010 to 2014. In 2014, Becky was elected as a full member of the International Society for Research in Human Milk and Lactation and is involved in several lactation related research studies.
In 2017, Becky was awarded the Warren Crosby Champion for Maternal and Infant Health Award by the Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative. This award is given for “championing efforts to improve outcomes for Oklahoma’s mothers and infants and going above and beyond to do what is right for the patients”.
Becky has been involved in COBA since its founding in 2000 and has served in various offices, including Chair 2006-2009 and 2012-2017.
She lives with her husband in Edmond, has 3 grown children and is a proud grandmother of 2.
Contact Becky: chair@okbreastfeeding.org
COBA Vice Chair
Julia Profit, RN, BSN
Julia “JP” Profit has been a nurse since 1998, and received her bachelor’s degree with honors in nursing from Oklahoma City University in 2016. She is a member of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) and serves as Legislative Representative and a Director at Large with Region 2 of the Oklahoma Nurses Association (ONA).
Julia is Birthing Center Manager at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso, where she strives to empower her staff to take care of their patients and prepare her patients to take care of their babies. When JP wanted to help mothers stay close to home preparing for birth, she developed the curriculum, trained staff and launched a community-based childbirth education program so mothers wouldn’t have to drive to Tulsa to get the education they needed. In 2015, Julia received a Spirit of Achieving Cost Savings Award from the Oklahoma Hospital Association for a training program partnership with Hillcrest Medical Center which strengthened the Birthing Center staff’s involvement and flexibility.
Julia enjoys spending time with her family, including Dayton and Hunter -- her beautiful grandchildren and the joy of her life.
Contact Julia: vicechair@okbreastfeeding.org
Julia Profit, RN, BSN
Julia “JP” Profit has been a nurse since 1998, and received her bachelor’s degree with honors in nursing from Oklahoma City University in 2016. She is a member of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) and serves as Legislative Representative and a Director at Large with Region 2 of the Oklahoma Nurses Association (ONA).
Julia is Birthing Center Manager at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso, where she strives to empower her staff to take care of their patients and prepare her patients to take care of their babies. When JP wanted to help mothers stay close to home preparing for birth, she developed the curriculum, trained staff and launched a community-based childbirth education program so mothers wouldn’t have to drive to Tulsa to get the education they needed. In 2015, Julia received a Spirit of Achieving Cost Savings Award from the Oklahoma Hospital Association for a training program partnership with Hillcrest Medical Center which strengthened the Birthing Center staff’s involvement and flexibility.
Julia enjoys spending time with her family, including Dayton and Hunter -- her beautiful grandchildren and the joy of her life.
Contact Julia: vicechair@okbreastfeeding.org
COBA Secretary
Cheryl Coleman, RN, BSN, IBCLC
Cheryl is a retired lactation consultant. She has been a registered nurse for over 45 years and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant for 10 years. She served as the lead for Hillcrest Medical Center's Baby-Friendly designation.
Prior to working at Hillcrest, Cheryl worked as an Education Specialist and Clinical Nurse Manager at Oklahoma State University Medical Center. She has served as a board member with the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) for 14 years in various capacities, including Director of Public Relations, Secretary, President-Elect and President. She was on the faculty for ICEA Basic Teacher Training and Postnatal Educator Workshops for many years.
Cheryl lives in Verdigris, Oklahoma with husband, Bob. They have 2 children and 2 grandchildren. Cheryl is passionate about Sooner sports, the Chicago Cubs, Oklahoma City Thunder, breastfeeding families, and doing the Happy Breastmilk Dance.
Contact Cheryl: secretary@okbreastfeeding.org
Cheryl Coleman, RN, BSN, IBCLC
Cheryl is a retired lactation consultant. She has been a registered nurse for over 45 years and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant for 10 years. She served as the lead for Hillcrest Medical Center's Baby-Friendly designation.
Prior to working at Hillcrest, Cheryl worked as an Education Specialist and Clinical Nurse Manager at Oklahoma State University Medical Center. She has served as a board member with the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) for 14 years in various capacities, including Director of Public Relations, Secretary, President-Elect and President. She was on the faculty for ICEA Basic Teacher Training and Postnatal Educator Workshops for many years.
Cheryl lives in Verdigris, Oklahoma with husband, Bob. They have 2 children and 2 grandchildren. Cheryl is passionate about Sooner sports, the Chicago Cubs, Oklahoma City Thunder, breastfeeding families, and doing the Happy Breastmilk Dance.
Contact Cheryl: secretary@okbreastfeeding.org
COBA Treasurer
Alexis Boryca, La Leche League Leader, WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
As a teen mother, Alexis struggled to breastfeed her son and felt incredibly defeated. She saw very little support or guidance from her community. When she was pregnant with her second child 3 years later, she knew she would try to breastfeed again though she was full of doubt and fear. It was during this pregnancy that she discovered her local La Leche League group. With the support of a kind Leader and group of regularly attending women, she was able to successfully breastfeed her second son until he was 18 months old. She has since added two more breastfed children to her family.
Alexis has served her community in many ways. She became a La Leche League Leader in 2013 where she served the rural communities of South West Oklahoma, then she relocated to Mustang, Oklahoma where she continues to serve that part of Central Oklahoma. In 2016 she partnered with the Best for Babes Foundation as a volunteer Miracle Milk Stroll Coordinator and social media contributor. In 2017 she accepted a position as a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor at the largest WIC clinic in the state of Oklahoma. In 2018 she became an Emerging Leader with United Way of Oklahoma. These positions I have given her the opportunity to support nursing families while bringing awareness and education to underserved communities. Her hope for COBA is that it can grow to fully accommodate our state's needs while reducing disparities in breastfeeding.
When they have down time, Alexis and her husband Steven and four children enjoy traveling and loving on their small flock of chickens.
Contact Alexis: treasurer@okbreastfeeding.org
Alexis Boryca, La Leche League Leader, WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
As a teen mother, Alexis struggled to breastfeed her son and felt incredibly defeated. She saw very little support or guidance from her community. When she was pregnant with her second child 3 years later, she knew she would try to breastfeed again though she was full of doubt and fear. It was during this pregnancy that she discovered her local La Leche League group. With the support of a kind Leader and group of regularly attending women, she was able to successfully breastfeed her second son until he was 18 months old. She has since added two more breastfed children to her family.
Alexis has served her community in many ways. She became a La Leche League Leader in 2013 where she served the rural communities of South West Oklahoma, then she relocated to Mustang, Oklahoma where she continues to serve that part of Central Oklahoma. In 2016 she partnered with the Best for Babes Foundation as a volunteer Miracle Milk Stroll Coordinator and social media contributor. In 2017 she accepted a position as a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor at the largest WIC clinic in the state of Oklahoma. In 2018 she became an Emerging Leader with United Way of Oklahoma. These positions I have given her the opportunity to support nursing families while bringing awareness and education to underserved communities. Her hope for COBA is that it can grow to fully accommodate our state's needs while reducing disparities in breastfeeding.
When they have down time, Alexis and her husband Steven and four children enjoy traveling and loving on their small flock of chickens.
Contact Alexis: treasurer@okbreastfeeding.org
COBA Board Member at Large
Erin Coppenbarger, MS, RD/LD, CLC
Erin received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition, Exercise, Health Sciences and Dietetics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences/Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare Systems. She began working for the WIC program as the Lead Nutrition Educator for a local agency in Nebraska while obtaining her registered dietitian credential and completing her Master of Science degree in Nutrition remotely from the University of Central Arkansas. She also completed the CLC program, which sparked her interest in breastfeeding.
Erin moved to Oklahoma in 2015 and began working as the WIC Clinic Manager for Variety Care. At Variety Care, she has initiated Oklahoma City's first WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program and is currently in the process of starting the BCEP education program for Variety Care providers while creating a partnership with OU Lactation to house an IBCLC in Variety Care clinics.
Since she started working with breastfeeding families in the WIC program, Erin has realized that her 6 years of training in nutrition barely touched the surface of knowledge about the optimal nutrition source for infants. She is extremely interested in promoting breastfeeding, not only to pregnant women, but to healthcare providers. COBA offers her a platform to bring healthcare providers' knowledge of breastfeeding in line with its importance for family health. Her fascination with breastfeeding grows with each new tidbit she learns about its benefits!
Erin Coppenbarger, MS, RD/LD, CLC
Erin received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition, Exercise, Health Sciences and Dietetics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences/Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare Systems. She began working for the WIC program as the Lead Nutrition Educator for a local agency in Nebraska while obtaining her registered dietitian credential and completing her Master of Science degree in Nutrition remotely from the University of Central Arkansas. She also completed the CLC program, which sparked her interest in breastfeeding.
Erin moved to Oklahoma in 2015 and began working as the WIC Clinic Manager for Variety Care. At Variety Care, she has initiated Oklahoma City's first WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program and is currently in the process of starting the BCEP education program for Variety Care providers while creating a partnership with OU Lactation to house an IBCLC in Variety Care clinics.
Since she started working with breastfeeding families in the WIC program, Erin has realized that her 6 years of training in nutrition barely touched the surface of knowledge about the optimal nutrition source for infants. She is extremely interested in promoting breastfeeding, not only to pregnant women, but to healthcare providers. COBA offers her a platform to bring healthcare providers' knowledge of breastfeeding in line with its importance for family health. Her fascination with breastfeeding grows with each new tidbit she learns about its benefits!
COBA Board Member at Large
Lillie-Beth Sanger Brinkman
Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Lillie-Beth Sanger Brinkman is director of communications for NBC Oklahoma.
She is a Sooner through and through with bachelor’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma in Letters and Journalism/News Communications, and has spent her career seeking new opportunities to learn. As a reporter, bureau chief, editor and columnist, her focus areas as a journalist have included education, parenting, editorial writing, features, nonprofits and technology. She writes the weekly “Around Town” column for The Journal Record and contributes to The Oklahoman’s “20-40-60.” She is a member of Oklahoma City University College of Arts & Sciences Advisory Board, Junior League of OKC Community Advisory Board and is the mother of one daughter and two sons.
Lillie-Beth Sanger Brinkman
Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Lillie-Beth Sanger Brinkman is director of communications for NBC Oklahoma.
She is a Sooner through and through with bachelor’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma in Letters and Journalism/News Communications, and has spent her career seeking new opportunities to learn. As a reporter, bureau chief, editor and columnist, her focus areas as a journalist have included education, parenting, editorial writing, features, nonprofits and technology. She writes the weekly “Around Town” column for The Journal Record and contributes to The Oklahoman’s “20-40-60.” She is a member of Oklahoma City University College of Arts & Sciences Advisory Board, Junior League of OKC Community Advisory Board and is the mother of one daughter and two sons.
COBA Board Member at Large
Rose Hurd
Rose Hurd is a certified lactation counselor and says her love for maternal health began when she was young. She would often hear stories about her midwife great grandmother and was curious to know more about childbirth. Rose studied at Oklahoma State University earning a bachelor of science degree in human development and family sciences with an early childhood education emphasis.
In addition to her role as WIC breastfeeding peer counselor in Tulsa, she is a certified birth doula and GentleBirth educator at With Love Doulas where she helps facilitate safe, positive and empowering birth experiences by offering information and emotional and physical support needed during this time.
Rose Hurd
Rose Hurd is a certified lactation counselor and says her love for maternal health began when she was young. She would often hear stories about her midwife great grandmother and was curious to know more about childbirth. Rose studied at Oklahoma State University earning a bachelor of science degree in human development and family sciences with an early childhood education emphasis.
In addition to her role as WIC breastfeeding peer counselor in Tulsa, she is a certified birth doula and GentleBirth educator at With Love Doulas where she helps facilitate safe, positive and empowering birth experiences by offering information and emotional and physical support needed during this time.
COBA Board Member at Large
Kelsey Watkins, MS-RDN LD
Kelsey is a registered dietitian nutritionist and licensed dietitian with a Bachelor of Arts in Nutrition Sciences from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Arts in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Oklahoma. Kelsey started her career in a private pediatrics practice and then became the WIC breastfeeding coordinator and lead dietitian at Variety Care, a non-profit community health center in Oklahoma City, where she led group nutrition and breastfeeding education classes covering topics including nutrition during pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding, and iron deficiency. She most recently served the WIC State Office as breastfeeding resource specialist , designing and implementing virtual breast pump trainings for local staff. She also adapted the annual WIC Breastfeeding Educator Course to be conducted virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kelsey resides in Bixby with her husband and young son.
Kelsey Watkins, MS-RDN LD
Kelsey is a registered dietitian nutritionist and licensed dietitian with a Bachelor of Arts in Nutrition Sciences from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Arts in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Oklahoma. Kelsey started her career in a private pediatrics practice and then became the WIC breastfeeding coordinator and lead dietitian at Variety Care, a non-profit community health center in Oklahoma City, where she led group nutrition and breastfeeding education classes covering topics including nutrition during pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding, and iron deficiency. She most recently served the WIC State Office as breastfeeding resource specialist , designing and implementing virtual breast pump trainings for local staff. She also adapted the annual WIC Breastfeeding Educator Course to be conducted virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kelsey resides in Bixby with her husband and young son.
Last updated 1/25/2021 by CAC.
