Our Board

This is the Board of The Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington’s non-profit arm, Breastfeeding Outreach for Greater Washington.

Deborah Cooper

Deborah Cooper first attended classes led by Pat Shelly in 2002, when The Center was located in Columbia Women’s Hospital. When the Hospital closed, she and a group of mothers joined forces to create the nonprofit, Breastfeeding Outreach for Greater Washington, including securing a new location and pro bono legal assistance. She has been on the Board for six years, and President for three. Her vision for Breastfeeding Outreach is to (i) expand its walls to accommodate more mothers and more classes, (ii) expand the program that provides free individual consultations for low-income women, and (iii) increase community support as well as funding from grantmakers. She is the proud mother of three breastfed alumni!

Linsey Silver

Linsey Silver came to The Center in 2006 with the birth of her first and was amazed at the support given by Pat and the community created. Since then she has helped create a more unified visual system for BCGW and BOGW through her position on the board and her professional role as a graphic designer.

Michelle Rief

Michelle Rief is a former college professor and non-profit manager turned stay-at-home mom.  She discovered the Breastfeeding Center while pregnant in 2007 and attended the Center’s introductory classes.  When Michelle later encountered breastfeeding challenges as a new mom, she found consults with Pat Shelly to be invaluable.  The Center also provided Michelle with an introduction to babywearing, infant massage and baby’s first solids.  She is now the proud mother of two happy, healthy girls and has served on the board of Breastfeeding Outreach for Greater Washington since 2008.