Aliza Bancoff, Founder and Director
Aliza is the Founder and Director of International Breastfeeding Institute. She began the development of this program after many years as the director of Main Line Doulas, a unique doula practice working with only the most elite doulas located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and International Doula Institute, a worldwide doula training program. International Doula Institute was created out of a need to train doulas to practice at the very highest level. Aliza was not satisfied with the status quo, and it’s her goal to raise the bar for the next generation of competent, caring doula care in the United States, Europe and beyond through the training’s of International Doula Institute. Aliza was the head of curriculum development for four online schools before founding IDI. Aliza’s passion for helping families meet their breastfeeding goals as a doula, led to her desire to bring on more professionals to develop a program specializing in breastfeeding support. In the fall of 2017, International Breastfeeding Institute was founded. Aliza brings her vast experience working with clients as a doula and breastfeeding counselor in the field and very unique experience managing a large doula team that provides thousands of hours of care monthly, along with her experience in curriculum development. It is truly her passion to help those who want to become a breastfeeding counselor. These three very specific sets of skills have come together to bring you the International Breastfeeding Institute.
Dr. Natshia Conner, PhD
Director of Lactation Education
Dr. Natashia Conner is our esteemed Director of Lactation Education at the International Breastfeeding Institute. She plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of lactation education.
Holding a Ph.D. in Health Education and Promotion with a specialization in Behavioral Health from Walden University, Dr. Conner’s educational background is impressive and wide-ranging. She also earned a Master of Science in Health Education and Promotion, with a focus on Public Health, from the University of Cincinnati College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services. Her foundational education in maternal and child health was established with a Bachelor of Science from Union Institute and University, complemented by an Associate of Applied Business in Medical Administrative Technologies from Cincinnati State Technical & Community College.
When asked what Dr. Conner loves about her work at IDI, she tells us,
“I love being about to be a part of the change in our communities by diversifying the field of human lactation thereby increasing the representation of BIPOC individuals who provide care and support for lactating families across the world. ”
With over a decade of experience in the field, Dr. Conner has developed a broad expertise that spans local and state government, community-based organizations, local boards of health, faith-based organizations, and both public and private health agencies. As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), she has become a recognized authority in health program planning, health equity, and community health initiatives, with a particular focus on addressing health disparities within diverse populations.
A dedicated advocate for racial and health equity, Dr. Conner has devoted much of her career to promoting these values through education and policy advocacy across the United States. Her personal life mirrors her professional dedication, with a bustling household of five children and three pets, and her background as a US Navy Veteran infuses her leadership style with discipline and a profound sense of duty. Dr. Conner’s multifaceted career is a testament to her commitment to improving maternal and child health through education, advocacy, and leadership.
Donna Sinnott, BBA, IBCLC, CD, CPD
also known as Boob Donna
Foundational Instructor for International Breastfeeding Institute and International Doula Institute
Donna Sinnott, with the titles of IBCLC, CD, CPD to her name, is proud to share that she has amassed over 25 years of experience in counseling nursing mothers. Her own journey into motherhood in 1992, marked by an incredible birth experience thanks to certified nurse midwives, took an unexpected turn with the challenges of breastfeeding. This challenge was not something she was prepared for. It was her husband, Paul, who stepped in after days of struggle, suggesting a visit to a Lactation Consultant. That enlightening and empowering sixty-minute session not only changed her course but also enabled her to successfully breastfeed her two children, Cori and Kyle.
Embarking on her professional path when Kyle was just six months old, Donna began as a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor, also taking on roles as a labor and postpartum doula. Her dedication and love for helping mothers soon propelled her to the pinnacle of lactation certification, becoming an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Beyond her role as the foundational instructor of the course, Donna works full-time in a hospital renowned for its 92% breastfeeding initiation rate. She estimates that she has supported over 30,000 moms and babies throughout her illustrious career. Teaching is a passion for Donna, and she is committed to creating course materials guiding her students every step of the way, equipping them with the tools necessary to complete the course and profoundly impact the lives of others.