To make the United States the best place in the world to give birth.

Driven by her passion for equitable maternal care, Melissa leads Mahmee’s groundbreaking approach to pregnancy and postpartum support. With a legal and business background, she’s dedicated her career to bridging gaps in the healthcare system—ensuring every parent has a trusted team behind them. Born into a family of maternal health expertise, Melissa grew up watching her mother—renowned Labor & Delivery Nurse and Lactation Consultant, Linda Hanna—care for countless new parents and babies. Together, they founded Mahmee to unite that deep clinical insight with bold, tech-driven solutions, ensuring no family has to navigate pregnancy or postpartum alone.

Linda is the Co-Founder & Director of Care at Mahmee, with over four decades of clinical expertise. She pioneered world-class maternity and lactation programs at Kaiser Permanente, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and Saint John’s–Providence Medical Center, establishing herself as one of Southern California’s premier lactation consultants. A Queens, New York nativbe, Linda earned her BS in Nursing from SUNY Stony Brook and has practiced as a registered nurse since 1978. She remains energized by the continuous learning and growth that pregnancy and lactation care offer. Outside of work, Linda loves needlepoint, cherishes her dogs, and finds immense joy in watching her daughter become a mother herself.

A registered nurse for almost four decades, Denise has practiced in diverse settings—from high-risk labor and delivery to emergency departments at Level I trauma centers. This broad background has shaped her unique skill set in managing complex care while nurturing a culture of empathy and human kindness. Passionate about health equity, she’s dedicated to leading virtual care strategies that blend clinical expertise with compassion. Outside of nursing, Denise channels her creative side as a singer who’s been performing with cover bands for 20 years.

Angela is a Certified Labor Doula and Lactation Counselor whose own experience with a supportive doula transformed her birth journey. For over 13 years, she’s made it her mission to help birthing families feel educated, safe, and deeply honored. With a focus on holding space for the vulnerability and emotions that come with birth, Angela empowers parents to embrace their own strength. When she’s not at a birth or consulting with families, she’s traveling with her collegiate-soccer-coach husband and their three children.

Jenn serves as Mahmee’s Senior Lactation Consultant and Lactation Team Manager. She’s dedicated more than 20 years to teaching parenting education, and over the last several years has specialized in breast/chestfeeding support. A graduate of the Lactation Consultant Program at UC San Diego, Jennifer excels at guiding families through mental health challenges, sibling dynamics, and co-parenting or single-parenting scenarios. She believes every baby deserves a parent who feels truly supported and nourished—an ethos that informs her personalized approach for anxious or overwhelmed new mothers. Beyond her clinical work, Jennifer enjoys sewing, baking, and crafting jewelry from broken china, bringing creativity and warmth to all she does.

Susan Lopez, MPH, IBCLC, has 14 years of experience supporting diverse families across Los Angeles, including through programs like WIC and Welcome Baby. Driven by a passion for public health, she believes human milk feeding is key to improving maternal and infant outcomes. Susan brings a strong background in motivational interviewing and community education, ensuring new parents feel informed and confident. Off the clock, she’s a proud dog lover who dotes on her mini pinscher, Spencer.

Sarah is a dedicated Care Coordinator at Mahmee, connecting families to the right resources and support for every stage of their parenting journey. With a background in healthcare customer service, they help parents navigate appointments, care plans, and wellness education--ensuring no one faces pregnancy or postpartum alone. As a biracial Arab and Latine, they bring a deep understanding of cultural diversity, ensuring that every client feels seen, heard, and respected regardless of their background. Sarah is committed to offering care that acknowledges and honors the unique needs of the families they serve.

Nyeema’s work centers on educating and empowering parents through every phase of the childbirth journey, from preconception to postpartum. With 17 years in the field, she takes a comprehensive approach to maternal health—encompassing physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. Known for fostering positive experiences, she views her role as both a support system and advocate for families. A nature lover and fitness enthusiast, she brings warmth and empathy to all things baby-related.

Arden has dedicated more than 14 years to supporting parents and babies through evidence-based lactation care. Her practice combines practical solutions, empathetic listening, and an unshakable sense of optimism to guide families through the highs and lows of feeding—whether they’re tackling complex challenges or refining everyday techniques. Arden’s philosophy is inspired by her mother’s advice to “Do what you love, and make your corner of the world a better place,” which she embodies by always seeking the “rainbows” after any storm. Her goal is simple: ensure every family feels truly confident, nurtured, and ready to thrive during one of life’s most transformative journeys.

Jennetta is a mother of eight, childbirth educator, board-certified Christian mental health coach, placenta encapsulation specialist, full-spectrum doula, and pastor. For more than 10 years, she has served families across Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, providing empowering care through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Drawing on her own births, she strives to offer the supportive experience she never had, believing that every birth deserves a doula. Certified in Adult, Child, and Infant CPR through the American Red Cross, she also mentors and trains new doulas. A self-described thrill seeker who loves connecting with others, her goal is to help every parent feel grounded, nourished, and prepared for the journey into motherhood.

LaTasha is an obstetrics and gynecology nurse with more than two decades of specialized expertise—ranging from labor and delivery to postpartum care, triage, newborn nursery, and antepartum treatment. She has spent much of her career serving marginalized communities and is determined to combat Black maternal and infant mortality through patient advocacy and education. At Mahmee, LaTasha delivers virtual nursing care and childbirth education for the entire family, believing that when parents are well supported, communities thrive. A creative at heart, she finds joy and peace in her renewed passion for crochet.

Jovanka has spent over a decade working in clinical and community-based settings, from primary care clinics to holistic wellness centers. She focuses on bridging traditional medicine with natural solutions like nutrition, herbal remedies, and lifestyle adjustments. Inspired by her own journey overcoming hormonal imbalances, Jovanka now empowers women facing fertility challenges, hormonal shifts, and postpartum recovery. Her mission is to simplify complex health concepts so that every mother can build a strong foundation of wellness for herself and her family. Away from her practice, she’s a devoted salsa dancer and a true animal lover—especially when it comes to furry friends.

Heather has worked in lactation for more than a decade—developing deep expertise in tethered oral tissues (TOTS) and the complex feeding issues they cause. Guided by her own experiences and a passion for combining interpersonal connection with evidence-based care, she offers personalized plans that meet families where they are. Beyond lactation, Heather loves spending time outdoors with her family, heading to the mountains in winter, and doting on her energetic dog, Bentley. Her philosophy is simple: “Live your life knowing tomorrow is never guaranteed.”

Victoria spent her early career as a NICU nurse and lactation consultant in Argentina, caring for extreme preemies, babies with genetic or neurological conditions, and jaundiced newborns. Guided by a family legacy of physicians, she discovered her passion for providing comprehensive feeding support during pregnancy and postpartum—a pivotal stage where respectful, personalized care matters most. Skilled at spotting potential risks and offering prompt interventions, Victoria is especially adept at helping families who’ve had NICU stays. In her free time, she channels her creativity through pottery and DIY projects, a testament to her hands-on approach both in and out of the hospital.

Ashley brings more than 15 years of social services experience to her work supporting new parents. During her time in various family-based mental health organizations, she saw firsthand the critical need for more early, supportive services—particularly around perinatal mental health—and has been dedicated to bridging that gap ever since. Motivated by rising postpartum mental health concerns and her own personal journey, she helps families navigate the emotional and practical demands of early parenthood. Ashley believes in blending empathy with evidence-based strategies to foster healthy, confident beginnings. Off the clock, she’s happiest soaking up the sunshine in the pool all summer long.

Lisa brings over two decades of experience spanning pediatrics, NICU, and postpartum home visits. Her passion for lactation support took root after struggling to feed her first child in 2013, when caring consultants made all the difference in her success—and sanity. Recognizing how vulnerable the perinatal period can be for parents, Lisa feels honored to provide the strong support families need. A native New Yorker and proud Mets fan, she’s guided by Maya Angelou’s words: “People will never forget how you made them feel.”

With a strong background in fostering compassionate patient experiences for women, Jaylani supports parents through appointments, care plans, and wellness education—ensuring no one navigates pregnancy or postpartum alone. With firsthand insight into the challenges underserved communities face within the healthcare system, she is deeply motivated to transform how patients are treated. Her experience spans health insurance sales and working for a health tech startup focused on creating safe, compassionate care for women. Additionally, her creative background has allowed her to use dance as a powerful tool to bring people together and create meaningful connections which she carries into her day-to-day life.

Mila brings over nine years of HR experience—streamlining recruitment processes, bolstering employee engagement, and navigating complex employee relations. She’s passionate about fostering diversity, inclusion, and workplace satisfaction, aligning HR strategies with broader business goals. At Mahmee, she finds personal fulfillment in addressing women’s health disparities and supporting employees who are making a real impact every day. A proud mom to a 1.5-year-old daughter, Mila knows firsthand the value of Mahmee’s lactation support and loves exploring the outdoors with her family.

Melanie holds a BS in Public Health with a minor in Human Lactation from Cal State Northridge. As a bilingual Certified Lactation Educator, she’s dedicated to dispelling myths about breastfeeding and ensuring Hispanic communities have the healthcare knowledge they deserve. Driven by her passion for equitable access and informed decision-making, Melanie also draws on her Colombian heritage as a ProAm Latin dancer and gymnastics coach—teaching children and adults skills that enhance overall well-being.

Meghan has spent over 25 years in healthcare, including more than a decade focused on lactation. Her journey began after seeking help with feeding her second child, an experience that sparked her passion for empowering families. Having witnessed both transformative successes and devastating outcomes, Meghan believes high-quality care can truly shape a family’s future. When she’s not providing guidance, you might find her exploring the outdoors, experimenting with henna art, or playing bass guitar.

Kristen Cuddyer is a Certified Medical Assistant and Certified Lactation Educator with three decades in pediatrics, including specialized work in orthopedics and 10 years of home phototherapy support. Her passion lies in empowering new parents to feel confident caring for their babies—especially when navigating concerns like newborn jaundice. Dedicated to health equity, she believes every mother and child deserves quality healthcare access. Outside of her professional life, Kristen is a mother of three, a road trip enthusiast, and a devoted scrapbooker who unwinds with a good audiobook.

Michelle has been immersed in birth work since childhood, thanks to her mother—an L&D nurse and midwife. With nine years of experience, she’s a certified labor doula, postpartum & infant care doula, and birth assistant who collaborates closely with nurse midwives at a licensed alternative birth center. As a mother of four and a surrogate once herself, Michelle has firsthand experience with a range of birth options. Passionate about informed consent, she believes that no two births are the same and every family deserves an experience tailored to their unique needs and preferences.

Nana started her career on the Mother-Baby Unit, where she quickly discovered her passion for supporting parents through their earliest postpartum challenges. A mother of three—twins among them—she’s personally familiar with the joys and hurdles of breast/chestfeeding. She combines that real-world perspective with her clinical background to guide families toward confident, meaningful feeding journeys. By blending empathy and evidence-based strategies, Nana ensures every parent feels empowered from the first latch onward.

Lulit began her career in a cytogenetics lab, analyzing chromosomes and uncovering genetic insights for expecting parents. But her firsthand experiences as a stay-at-home mother to three children—including the ups and downs of infant feeding and postpartum recovery—sparked a deeper passion for maternal health. Now, with five years of lactation consulting under her belt, Lulit strives to align each family’s unique goals and circumstances with evidence-based strategies. She views breastfeeding as more than nourishment; it’s a source of bonding, comfort, and well-being for both baby and parent. When she’s not guiding new mothers, Lulit enjoys reading, cooking, and celebrating the joys of a well-supported postpartum journey.

D’Veon brings more than two decades of experience in operational management, financial planning, and sales to Mahmee. Drawing on a background that includes 10 years in banking—where he helped businesses optimize cash flow and credit management—D’Veon develops the systems and processes that connect both clinical and non-clinical teams. Through strategic operations and finance initiatives, he ensures every department works in harmony to deliver exceptional care for patients. Off the clock, D’Veon enjoys immersing himself in sci-fi and fantasy novels, whether through reading or audiobooks.

Erica brings 28 years of pediatric expertise to her role in Clinical Operations, having served as both a back-office manager and medical billing specialist. Driven by a desire to elevate maternal healthcare, Erica applies her operational know-how to create efficient, patient-centered systems for growing families. Her passion for infant care guides every aspect of her work, helping parents feel supported from day one. Off the clock, Erica channels her creativity through scrapbooking and crafting—always looking for ways to add a personal touch to everything she does.

Kaelyn began her birth work 13 years ago while supporting her sister through her niece’s arrival—well before she fully understood the breadth of a doula’s role. Over time, she cultivated expertise in fertility guidance, infant massage, postpartum care, and lactation support. Driven by a commitment to advocacy and education, Kaelyn ensures families have the knowledge and compassionate care they need, whether giving birth in a hospital or at home. She approaches each family with empathy, combining evidence-based knowledge with a nurturing presence to foster confidence and empowerment at every stage of the parenting journey.