All of our employees have breastfed their own children and have completed minimum breastfeeding education requirements.

Dr. Kathryn Leeper, MD, IBCLC
Breastfeeding Medicine Specialist
Dr. Leeper is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  She completed her pediatric residency in Minneapolis and spent four years in a private pediatric practice in Lincoln.  After the birth of her second child, she was home with her children for almost five years.  Dr. Leeper is a founder of MilkWorks and currently serves as its Medical Director.  Dr. Leeper is the only breastfeeding medicine specialist in  the state of Nebraska and was recently honored as a Fellow of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.  Her knowledge of lactation and her compassion for mothers make her a leader in her field!  When she is not helping mothers and babies, she enjoys singing in her church choir, gardening and driving her two kids around town.

Ann Seacrest, BA, BSN, IBCLC, RN
Lactation Consultant
Ann is a founder of MilkWorks and has been a board certified lactation consultant since 2000.  She is a graduate of the University of California-Santa Cruz and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  Ann currently serves as MilkWorks Executive Director.  Prior to MilkWorks, Ann worked as a Lamaze childbirth educator for almost 15 years and also spent time as a postpartum nurse and lactation consultant in the hospital setting.  Before falling in love with mothers and babies, she worked as a fiber artist. Her favorite hobbies are knitting, sewing, snowboarding and biking.  She is the mother of 4 children.

Suzy Meyers, IBCLC, LLLL
Lactation Consultant
Suzy was a chemistry major at UNO, but her real chemistry is her unending passion for empowering new mothers. She credits her own mother and La Leche League with helping her overcome breastfeeding difficulties with her first child. Today, Suzy is a tireless advocate for breastfeeding and continues to participate in a mothers group, even though her children are no longer babies. Married to an artist, Suzy loves to cook and may even be found running when she has a few moments to herself.

Sara Furr, BS, MA, IBCLC, LLLL
Lactation Consultant
Sara is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University (Psychology) and the University of Nebraska (Social Psychology). Prior to becoming a mother of three children and a La Leche League leader, Sara worked as a research and health data analyst. Sara is known for her impeccable research skills and spent over thirteen years as a member of the Foster Care Review Board in Nebraska.

Laura Miller, RN, IBCLC
Lactation Consultant
Laura Miller is our newest Lactation Consultant. Laura is an RN and an IBCLC (that's International Board Certified Lactation Consultant for us laypeople). She has 12 years experience in St. Elizabeth's Lactation Center and 10 years experience in the NICU/Nursery prior to that. We are fortunate to have her wealth of experience join us here at MilkWorks.

Vicki Burkey, ICEA
Breastfeeding Educator
Vicki is often the first person that a new mother talks to when calling or coming to MilkWorks. A certified childbirth educator for the past nine years, Vicki has taught for St. Elizabeths, BryanLGH and the Young Families program at LMEP. She is also a doula, the mother of four and the grandmother of three. Vickie enjoys the many "hats" she wears as they allow her to fulfill her passion – helping new parents welcome their beautiful babies.

Meredith Jantzen, BA
Breastfeeding Educator, Assistant Retail Manager
A native of Lincoln, Meredith graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University majoring in religious studies and minoring in psychology and women's studies. Meredith wears many hats at MilkWorks including working as a breastfeeding educator at the front desk, leading Monday night Mom's Groups, and assisting with medical billing. When not busy at work, Meredith enjoys spending time with her son, scrapbooking, reading and learning.

Kylie Kirkland, BA
Breastfeeding Educator
Kylie is a graduate of Doane College with a BA in Business Administration. A mother of one, Kylie has experience helping mothers at MilkWorks as well as working at Family Services WIC as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor. In her free time, Kylie enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, reading, and watching her favorite shows.

Heidi Sailer, RN, BSN
Breastfeeding Educator
Heidi graduated with a BSN from Creighton's School of Nursing and worked in the NICU at Children's Hospital in Omaha before moving to Lincoln. Prior to joining MilkWorks, she served as a research coordinator for drug studies relating to gastroenterological diseases for a private Gastroenterologist practice, and most recently, served as a nurse for the WIC program at the Health Department. Heidi enjoys spending her free time with her husband, two young daughters, and her wonderful group of friends met while attending MIlkWorks' breastfeeding support group over three years ago.

Michelle Jenkins, RN
Breastfeeding Educator
A lifetime resident of Lincoln, Michelle studied at Southeast Community College and became a registered nurse. As a mother of two, she really enjoys working at MilkWorks with other women who really care about the community. She loves the one-on-one care here at MilkWorks and loves to follow through with the mothers who come here. She also has a unique sense of style and a very upbeat attitude.

Vicki Burkey, ICEA
Breastfeeding Educator
Vicki is often the first person that a new mother talks to when calling or coming to MilkWorks. A certified childbirth educator for the past nine years, Vicki has taught for St. Elizabeths, BryanLGH and the Young Families program at LMEP. She is also a doula, the mother of four and the grandmother of three. Vickie enjoys the many "hats" she wears as they allow her to fulfill her passion – helping new parents welcome their beautiful babies.

Gema Rihanek, RN
Retail Manager
Gema is a graduate of Bryan Hospital School of Nursing and has worked in maternal child heath for over 20 years as a registered nurse and childbirth educator.  She manages the retail sales at MilkWorks and enjoys finding new products and making a difference in the lives of families.  Gema is a talented pianist and enjoys gardening and reading cook books.  She likes receiving feedback from MilkWorks clients and welcomes suggestions for new products!
 
Lana Erickson, BA
Lana graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a BA in Communication Studies and has worked in a variety of human services positions.  She is fluent in American Sign Language and has a special interest in freelance Web design, advertising and communications.  At MilkWorks, Lana leads the Food Intolerance support group for parents of children with food sensitivities.  In her spare time, Lana enjoys scrap booking, horseback riding and hanging out with her family.

Paula Velander, LLL, CMT
Breastfeeding Educator
Paula comes to us from the mountains of Virginia. A certified medical technician and former La Leche League Leader, Paula enjoys supporting moms and babies as a breastfeeding educator and sharing her personal experiences with nursing four children. Paula's days are full attending her children's various sport and school events, but in her spare time, she enjoys walking and exploring the outdoors with her husband.

Marta Martinez
Breastfeeding Educator,
Interpreter
As both a breastfeeding educator and a Spanish language interpreter for MilkWorks, Marta credits her children for providing a wealth of practical education. Having succesfullly nursed her own six children, Marta's goal in working with mothers is to serve as a source of enouragement to those who are struggling. When not serving in an intepreter capacity at MilkWorks or for Lincoln Public Schools, Marta also assists with MilkWorks' pump management.

Lisa Kopecky, MS, RD, LMNT
Breastfeeding Educator,
Registered Dietician
Lisa brings over 12 years of experience in a variety of dietetic practice areas, most recently specializing in Long Term Care and Performance Nutrition. This mother of three active boys educated and encourages mothers at MilkWorks by teaching our Introduction to Solids and Making Your Own Baby Food classes as well as leading our Milk Memos class and serving as a Mom's group leader. Lisa feels her greatest professional acocmplishment has been breastfeeding each of her boys while continuing to work.