Freedom Kolb, Executive Director

Servant leader and community organizer are the roles I have built my career around, but the job I cherish most is mom to three amazing, fierce daughters. I know first-hand the challenges with medical scares, breastfeeding challenges, juggling work-life balance, and the importance of finding a support system. That is why with more than 22 years in the philanthropic sector around the country, I am delighted to join the lifesaving work of The Milk Bank! I see our work as pro-women, pro-children, pro-family and an investment in our collective public health.

I am so proud of the high clinical and customer service standards this organization has achieved and will be working toward leveraging these strengths to serve even more children and rally support for the most vulnerable infants. I invite everyone to join us at The Milk Bank and consider how you can lend time, talent, or treasure to combatting the staggering infant mortality rate.

When I’m not in work mode you can find me at the barn, sporting events, or advocating for equity and inclusion around the Central Indiana community.

fkolb@themilkbank.org

Sarah Long, IBCLC, Clinical Director

Since my relocation from the UK to the USA in 2008, I have worked tirelessly to create a career in the field I feel so passionately about. I graduated in 1997 from the University of Birmingham, Central England, with a Bachelors in Midwifery. My career as a Registered Midwife in the UK allowed me the honor of delivering and supporting moms in an incredible life event – birth. My passion for breastfeeding really began when I became a mother. The challenges I faced along the way taught me that all moms need good community breastfeeding support. This inspired me to increase my knowledge in lactation to enhance my practice as a Midwife. Following my immigration to the United States, I am proud to say I achieved my goal of becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Since then, I have been employed as a hospital-based IBCLC and provided private home visits as a Lactation Consultant. I am happy to say I found my calling here at The Milk Bank, where I can help support a population of moms and babies, who without a doubt will receive the unique gift of mother’s milk. slong@themilkbank.org

Jami Marvin, Production Director

After my daughter was born in 2010, she spent a month in the hospital for brain surgery. During that time, the only thing that I could think to do was to breastfeed. It wasn’t easy in the beginning. She was taken to a separate hospital just a few hours after birth, while I was recovering from a c-section. I had just a couple of hours with her immediately after birth where we did skin-to-skin and she did latch and begin to nurse but it wasn’t for very long. I began my breastfeeding journey using a pump in a hospital miles away from my baby, just as many of our donors do. However, in my mind, since I couldn’t go through the surgery for her, I knew that I was giving her the best chance I could at getting through the surgery as a healthy baby girl. She made it through just fine and my husband and I realized the benefits that breastfeeding offered our daughter. I was able to use my knowledge of food service standards, and my love and passion for breastfeeding to start working at The Milk Bank. Since then, I have had two healthy little boys who were lucky enough to come to work with me at The Milk Bank every day until they were six months old. The opportunity to continue our uninterrupted breastfeeding journey for that long, and be a working mom was the best of both worlds. The support during my pregnancies and breastfeeding journeys with them has been amazing! I have loved working at The Milk Bank for the last 10 years and I look forward to growing with the organization. jmarvin@themilkbank.org

Jenny Pemberton, Business Director

Why would a woman without children want to work with breast milk? I heard variations of that question more than once when I announced to family and friends that I had taken a job at The Milk Bank. I guess it was a legitimate question considering that all of my “babies” have four legs and fur and I had spent nearly twenty years working in Information Technology and Analytics. My answer was simple, I was tired of helping corporations make money, and I wanted to help make a difference in peoples’ lives.

I had heard about The Milk Bank several years ago from a friend and was impressed with the amazing service they provide. I’ve always had a passion for helping those in need and when I found out The Milk Bank was hiring, I knew I needed to be a part of this incredible organization and, as luck would have it, they felt I would be a good addition to their staff. I know that I have found my new calling.

I’m amazed by the brave, strong, passionate women who work here and am so proud to not only call them my co-workers but also my friends. Every day I am inspired by them and reminded that The Milk Bank is about more than just breast milk, it’s about the compassion offered to a bereaved mom as she deals with life (and her milk) after losing her child, it’s about the support given to a mom that has spent day in and day out with her baby in the NICU, it’s about the encouragement given to a mom who is about to take her first (or second or third…) baby home from the hospital. Amazing things happen here every day.

When I’m not at The Milk Bank you can find me creating art in my stained-glass workshop, planning our next travel adventure, or planting and harvesting apples, pumpkins and other vegetables for various local farmer’s markets and the U-Pick Pumpkin Patch at the farm my husband and I own and operate, Ducky Meadow Farm and Orchard.

jpemberton@themilkbank.org

Jenna Streit, Advancement Director

Moments after my youngest daughter was born, we knew she needed a short stay in the NICU. A nurse turned to me and asked if I would like her to receive donor milk or formula. While my heart was aching that I wouldn’t be immediately nursing my daughter, I was grateful to choose donor milk. It made me feel like another mom had my back. A donor mom provided milk so that my daughter and I could rest, recover, and heal. This gratitude sparked my interested in joining The Milk Bank. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with supporters who are passionate about breastfeeding and chestfeeding, improving infant mortality, want to support bereaved families, and want to ensure fragile infants have access to life-saving breast milk. In my free time, you can find me chasing chickens, spending time with my daughters and husband, and experimenting in the kitchen. jstreit@themilkbank.org

Diane Wade, Outreach and Engagement Coordinator

While my career began in Human Resources, I am a lifelong volunteer committed to serving family & youth-centered organizations. I stayed home while my three children were young and logged a total of two and a half years of breastfeeding, where I came to appreciate why breast milk is referred to as “liquid gold!” I am in awe of our donors, who are giving a truly precious gift. I knew that when I returned to work, I would pursue my passion for the nonprofit sector. In 2017, I received my graduate certificate in nonprofit management from IUPUI’s O’Neill School for Public and Environmental Affairs and my Masters in Public Affairs in 2020. I love putting those skills to work every day, developing relationships with community organizations, connecting with volunteers, and sharing the stories of our incredible milk donors When I need to recharge, I love going to concerts, listening to podcasts, cooking, and hanging out with my family, which includes our Bernedoodle, Wendell. I am honored to work alongside my colleagues at The Milk Bank doing the important work of supporting moms and babies! dwade@themilkbank.org

Jennifer Reese, Office Operations Specialist

I graduated from Butler University in 2008 with my bachelor’s degree and went on to become an “odd job” queen, doing everything from working in restaurants and various offices, to face painting for the Indiana Pacers. I finally landed in a small corporate office as a staff accountant where I worked my way up over the course of nine years, learning accounting and business. I was absolutely overjoyed when I was able to come aboard the team here at TMB in 2019 and apply my skill set to help an organization that I truly believe in. I had known about The Milk Bank for years through family ties, and my husband and I have loved to be connected and lend our support in any way we have been able. The Milk Bank became especially important to me, personally, after my first son was born in 2015. I was headed back to work full-time but was set on reaching my breastfeeding goals of providing at least one year of breast milk for my son. I showed up at The Milk Bank with nothing but my breast pump and 5,000 questions about how to make it all work, and with the support of the Breastfeeding Resources & Assistance @ TMB (BRA) program, I was able to get the answers and help I needed to succeed in reaching (and exceeding!) those goals. jreese@themilkbank.org

Brock Badgley, Laboratory Specialist

I’ve worked in a few fields before I started at The Milk Bank. I worked in the food industry for the majority of my working life. The Milk Bank has given me the chance to make the world a better place with the skills I’ve developed while working at my other jobs. Getting to help put families at ease and just helping babies in general has been awesome and it really makes every day better! bbadgley@themilkbank.org

Amanda Briles, Program Coordinator

For as long as I can remember, I have always found joy in interacting with and helping children and babies. From my teenage years spent babysitting and volunteering in church nurseries, to nannying during college, to volunteering in Romanian orphanages and group homes, and on through nearly eleven years working in foster care and adoption – my passion and my focus have always been on making childhood as safe, healthy, and joyful as possible. After becoming a mother to two girls and navigating the highs and lows of breastfeeding them, that passion expanded to include supporting all babies’ access to potentially lifesaving and almost always life-improving human milk! Even though reaching my breastfeeding goals was very important to me, I know for certain that I would not have been able to do so without the loads of help I received along the way from lactation consultants, breastfeeding support groups, systemic supports (maternity leave, time to pump at work, etc.), and knowledgeable friends. I am thrilled to now be part of an organization which plays a crucial role in increasing safe access to human milk for the most vulnerable of babies!

I am equally honored to work on a team which supports moms who need someone in their corner, whether that’s by making their incredible donation of time and “liquid gold” as easy as possible or by attending to their needs after the loss of an infant. In addition to experiencing some post-partum mental health challenges after the birth of my first daughter, we also weathered a potentially fatal medical scare with my second daughter when she was just days old. Thankfully, all turned out to be well with her, but the terror I experienced during the weeks we were waiting for answers forever altered my perspective on life and gave me a visceral appreciation – just a glimpse – for what bereaved mothers and mothers of children with severe medical needs experience. I hope that my personal experiences and background in therapy will allow me to be a source of comfort and encouragement for all the moms I’ll interact with in this role.

Paula Duvall, Administrative and Clinical Assistant

I have been in the medical field in various administrative posotions for my entire career. I recently retired from a position I had been in for over 14 years. After being at home and not working for 6 months, I realized that I don’t like not working.  I needed to find a job where I could make a difference. I had never heard of The Milk Bank until I applied for my current position. I have been so happy and content in this job since day one. It is amazing working with such amazing and talented individuals. I’m happy to be part of this awesome team.

Veronica Ivy, Donor Specialist

Juggling priorities is probably what moms are best known for. Having my boys 17 months apart, I found myself in the doctor’s office and hospital setting often. Inspired and driven by my experiences, I set out for a career in healthcare. After working for a major hospital, I found myself thinking back on what started it all. Becoming a mother brings so many emotions and all are valid! Finding my way to The Milk Bank has brought me so much joy. I get to connect with new moms and be a part of their journey! When you’re interested in donating milk, I’m here to get you started. When not at work, I enjoy spending my time in a house full of boys including; dancing and listening to music; or diving into a good documentary.

Tim Jackson, Laboratory Specialist

Tracie Martin, Operations Specialist

Katie Porras, Outpatient Specialist

Growing up in a large and loving blended family shaped my very abundant aunt life. When I learned of The Milk Bank’s outpatient program, the job responsibilities aligned with my passion for Womb Light® and Reiki energy work, and the wellbeing of women and children. While most of my professional career has been in the legal field, volunteering at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago validated my passion for helping families. My ability to serve our community and contribute to saving infant lives comes with immense honor. When I’m not at The Milk Bank, you can find me at Leaf & Limb in Broad Ripple offering healing sessions or dancing around town with Crossroads Dance Indy. I also love tackling mountain biking and hiking trails and snuggling my gaggle of cats.

Samantha Powell, Administrative Assistant

While studying social work and criminal justice at IUPUI, I also interned at the Indiana Women’s Prison. There, I saw the racial inequities of maternal healthcare in the prison system up close. I care about The Milk Bank because providing babies with safe donor milk is a great way to lower infant mortality and empower families! When you visit The Milk Bank, you’ll meet me at the front desk. When I’m not at work I enjoy caring for my “jungle” of 60 plus houseplants and long hikes with my dog. Another passion of mine is cooking and baking delicious food for friends and family members! spowell@themilkbank.org

Oliver Shields, Laboratory Specialist

Lauren Zuber, Advancement Specialist

After over a decade of spending my career in some combination of client services, communication, and community building I am thrilled to have found my way to The Milk Bank. Though I was familiar with the concept of donor milk, my initial first-hand experience with The Milk Bank came when my son was born a month early. The hospital offered us donor milk to supplement. It was such a relief to know that mothers who came before me had people like my son and I in mind. I’ll never know the mothers who helped me feed my son, but I am incredibly grateful for their gifts and the relief they gave me in those first post-partum days. I am proud to work with The Milk Bank team and to support donor milk as a tool to increase healthy equity and reduce infant mortality. Outside the office you can find me pushing a stroller on the sidewalks and walking trails of my neighborhood, tending to my army of houseplants, knitting, reading, and making progress on my 100-year-old fixer upper house. lzuber@themilkbank.org