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Dr. Alberto Heart works as pediatrician and neonatologist in Panama. He is a proud member of APILAM (Association for the promotion and investigation of cultural and scientific aspects of human lactation) and an active collaborator of e-lactancia, one of the largest evidence based databases and search engines of medical interventions, medications and treatments and their interactions with breastfeeding.
Dr. Alberto Heart is a renowned lecturer regarding the topics of humanization of birth, respected care of the newborn baby, lactation, neurobiology of attachment and birth and child development and regulation. Dr. Heart has worked together with the Panamanian branch of La Leche League in the education and promotion of breastfeeding in Panama and was chosen as “Ambassador of breastfeeding” for his work. Dr. Alberto Heart has tirelessly worked on promoting legal changes regarding the topics of humanization of birth and lactation education and promotion in his country (Panama). Proud father of two lovely children.
Professor of Disaster & Emergency Management, School of Administrative Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, York University, Toronto, Canada
Dr. Ali Asgary is a full professor of Disaster and Emergency Management at York University in Toronto, Canada. Since commencing his PhD studies in 1993 at the School of Architecture, Planning, and Design at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, Dr. Asgary has been deeply involved in research, teaching, and professional endeavors within his field. His research interests are centered around post-disaster recovery and reconstruction, business continuity and community resilience, the impacts of disasters and climate change on public health, and the application of artificial intelligence, simulation, and modeling in disaster and emergency management. His research has been published in more than 300 peer reviewed articles and books in various aspects of disaster and emergency management. Currently, Dr. Asgary serves as the Executive Director of the Advanced Disaster, Emergency, and Rapid-response Simulation (ADERSIM). He is also an active member of several prestigious research initiatives and institutions at York University, including ConnectedMinds, the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research (DIGHR), and the Centre for AI and Society (CAIS).
Over his career, Dr. Asgary has taught a wide range of courses, including International Disaster Management, Business Continuity Management, Advanced Disaster and Emergency Management, and Disasters and Development. He was a pioneering faculty member in establishing the first Disaster and Emergency Management programs in Canada at both Brandon University (2003) and York University (2005).
Dr. Asgary is highly active in professional circles and community engagement. He has held significant roles such as board member of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) and served as the president of IAEM Canada from 2007 to 2009. He is frequently sought after by the media for his expert opinions on disaster-related issues.
In addition to his extensive academic and professional responsibilities, Dr. Asgary has been serving as the inaugural director of CIFAL York since 2021, further contributing to his broad portfolio of leadership roles in the field of disaster and emergency management. He is also the associate editor of the highly ranked International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction in the field.
Dr. Alison Bernard is a Paediatrician with over 20 years of experience in the field of child health. After completing her MBBS at the University of the West Indies, she furthered her studies in the UK, where she resided for 10 years, obtaining her postgraduate qualifications as a Member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Dr. Bernard currently resides in Barbados where she provides private paediatric care. She is a passionate advocate for maternal and child health and supports mothers through their breastfeeding journeys. Recognizing the critical role of breastfeeding and child nutrition in reducing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Dr. Bernard co-founded the Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Foundation (BCNF), a charitable organization aimed at improving breastfeeding support and child nutritional health in Barbados.
Under Dr. Bernard’s leadership, the foundation has been instrumental in raising awareness and driving policy development related to child nutrition and maternal support. Dr. Bernard is playing a key role in the formulation of breastfeeding-friendly workplace policy and has contributed to major public health initiatives, including Barbados' National Workplace Wellness Policy and the National Nutrition Policy, currently under development by the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW). Currently, serves on the MOHW National Breastfeeding Committee, and is actively involved in the Barbados Childhood Obesity Coalition. Many of her contributions have been featured in local publications, including *Better Health* magazine, the *Nation* newspaper and *Barbados Today* e-paper, where she shares her insights on breastfeeding, child nutrition, and public health strategies.
Dr. Bernard recently completed a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of Liverpool, further enhancing her ability to lead and advocate for improved health outcomes for mothers and children in Barbados. She continues to be a champion for maternal and child health, advancing initiatives that promote the well-being of future generations.
Andrea Bonita Jordan is a midwife and breastfeeding specialist.
Group practice and community midwifery has always been her first love in maternity care and her 25 year career started as an NHS one-to-one group practice midwife for the women/families of South East London. Andrea deepened her experiences, working in Indonesia-South East Asia, and then on the Island of Barbados in the Caribbean where, for 14 years she lived and worked as a breastfeeding specialist, birth activist, birthing centre, home/water-birth and Independent midwife.
During her time in Barbados, Andrea had 2 children, both born gently, outside of hospital; the first was a water-birth at the birthing centre and the second, a water-birth at home.
The joy and empowerment that came with the birth of her two children has emboldened Andrea to make sure that this kind of experience, and the opportunity to choose this, is available to all families if they so desire.
Andrea now resides in London with her family, working as a case-loading team midwife for vulnerable women. With today's increased challenges of mental health, domestic violence, substance misuse and homelessness, Andrea now has a new focus for her midwifery passions.
Beti Flores is a highly skilled expert in reproductive health and midwifery, with extensive education and practical experience. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Guadalajara and a Bachelor's Degree in Reproductive Health and Midwifery from Florencia Nightingale’s Nursing School. She is also a certified Emergency Medical Technician, rescue diver, medical emergency instructor, and emergency vehicle operator, with additional certifications in gentle birth and water birth. As a lactation consultant, her diverse expertise is evident.
As President of Partería y Salud Natural A.C., Flores advocates for natural birth practices and comprehensive maternal health care, providing home birth assistance and training midwives and healthcare personnel in Chiapas, Mexico. Her work significantly impacts rural and marginalized communities, focusing on families in extreme poverty by addressing pregnancy, postpartum, homebirth, emergencies, nutrition, and maternal care education.
Flores created and coordinates the "Perinatal Emergencies and Midwifery" diploma course, accredited by the Intercultural University of Chiapas and the Mexican Red Cross, reflecting her commitment to education and the advancement of midwifery. She is also an active volunteer with Partysana AC and the Mexican Red Cross. Her dedication to improving maternal and infant health outcomes, combined with her extensive training and community-focused approach, makes her a highly respected figure in midwifery.
Mary Thompson, a registered nurse and midwife with almost 35 years combined experience in emergency nursing, midwifery, occupational health and safety, correctional health care, and forensic nursing with a focus on survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking and sexual assault. She has a profound interest in health education and the advancement of nursing practice. As Barbados' sole trained Forensic Nurse, she serves as the Lead Director of Body Matters Inc., a healthcare consultancy offering private healthcare services. Additionally, Ms. Thompson is a State Certified Rape Crisis Counselor and has done work with the Milford Rape Crisis Centre in Connecticut, USA.
Renowned for her advocacy on women's issues, Ms. Thompson led national initiatives to raise awareness of human trafficking and spearheaded efforts to develop a counter-trafficking protocol for Barbados during her tenure as President of the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Barbados. Internationally recognized by the United States Department of State, she was a finalist for the "Woman of Courage Award" due to her dynamic leadership and commitment to combating domestic violence. Her career also saw her managing the Health Unit at the US Embassy Bridgetown for eight years, where she played a pivotal role in Caribbean Security initiatives. Her distinguished work led to global recognition through the Office of Medical Services, US Department of State. Currently, Ms. Thompson serves as Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee for the Nursing Council of Barbados.
Mrs. Petal Haffenden-McNally has been a Registered Midwife for over 14 years, currently employed by the Southern Regional Health Authority in Jamaica. She serves as a preceptor for midwifery students and has extensive experience in both community and hospital settings, including one of the country's main hospital's Maternity Ward.
Petal holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work with a specialty in youth development (Hons.). She is also a Certified Counselor with Pregnant Mothers Advancing Through Education (PREGMATE) and holds a certification in Supervisory Management. Currently, she is pursuing a postgraduate degree at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.
As a passionate midwife, Petal is dedicated to her practice and continues to advocate for young people and teen mothers. She has earned the trust, adoration, and cooperation of those she serves and is known for her commitment to and practice of home births.
In addition to her midwifery practice, Petal is actively involved in professional organizations. She serves as the Secretary of the Jamaica Midwives Association (JMA) and is a member of the Education Committee for The Caribbean Regional Midwives Association (CRMA). Petal also contributes to the strategic development of nursing and midwifery in Jamaica as a member of the committee for the years 2023-2025.
Beyond her professional commitments, Petal is the Assistant Director General of the Youth and Children Department in a faith-based organization. She also volunteers at the Women’s Center of Jamaica Mandeville branch, where she provides presentations to adolescent mothers and offers midwifery-related services.
Petal is deeply committed to her responsibilities and ensures that all duties are given the highest priority. As a wife of over 30 years and a mother to two young adults, she embodies her mantra: "IF IT IS TO BE, IT IS UP TO ME!"
Silke Mader has been a passionate and influential advocate for maternal and newborn health for over 25 years. As a former patient with HELLP syndrome and mother of preterm babies at week 25 (twin boy survived at 515 grams, twin girl deceased), she built on all of her personal experience to improve care for parents, preterm babies and sick newborns. Care that hardly existed at the time. She knows from her own experience that a strong partnership between health professionals and parents is the best way to face the emotional roller coaster ride of a preterm or sick baby and to overcome the obstacles. This led to establishing EFCNI – European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants in Munich 2008 where she acts as Chairwoman and founding member. One of the major achievements of the foundation was the establishment of World Prematurity Day, the development as well as the implementation of The European Standards of Care for Newborn Health and the founding of the Global Alliance for Newborn Care (GLANCE).
In times of the pandemic, GLANCE joined forces with partnering parent organisations, healthcare professionals and medical societies all over the world to develop its first global campaign “Zero Separation. Together for better care! Keep preterm and sick babies close to their parents”.
Silke Mader is Chairwoman and founding member of EFCNI as well as author and editor of many publications on topics related to maternal and newborn health and received several national and international awards and medals for her engagement.
Dr. Wendy Thomson is a Higher Education Faculty and Consultant who got her start after children as a lay lactation consultant, working with families to support their journey breastfeeding their babies for as little or as long as they wanted and needed. Dr. Thomson dedicated her early career to helping families provide the best start for their newborns by offering expert guidance and support in breastfeeding and lactation management. Driven by a passion for maternal and child health, she pursued further education to become a registered nurse. Building on her clinical experience, Dr. Thomson then advanced her academic credentials, earning a doctorate in nursing.
Embracing technology and innovation, Dr. Thomson earned her first degree in computer information sciences and has always been an early adopter of evidence-based best practices that improve desired outcomes. Grounded in education, she chose to pursue her EdD with a special focus on leadership, instructional technologies, and distance education. With her first bachelor’s degree majoring in computer information sciences, she has focused her career path on combining the best of technology and evidence-based teaching-learning practices to help create curriculum and programs that prepare all practitioners to provide safe, quality care leading to positive patient outcomes. Today, Dr. Thomson combines her extensive practical knowledge with academic expertise to educate future healthcare professionals and continue her mission of supporting families through evidence-based lactation practices.
