National WIC Association

The National WIC Association (NWA) is the nonprofit voice of the 12,000 public health nutrition service provider agencies and the over 6.3 million mothers, babies, and young children served by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). NWA provides education, guidance, and support to WIC staff; and drives innovation and advocacy to strengthen WIC as we work toward a nation of healthier families.

Download the "What is the National WIC Association?" a one-pager about us.


Mission Statement

The National WIC Association provides its members with tools and leadership to expand and sustain effective nutrition services for mothers and young children.

Vision Statement

Our vision is a nation of healthier women, children, and their families.

Health Equity Statement

For the National WIC Association, health equity is the ability of all individuals and families to achieve optimal health, irrespective of their identity, race, ability or class. This requires equitable access to nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, chronic disease prevention and management services, safe living environments, and good jobs with fair pay.  It necessitates removing obstacles to families’ short- and long-term health and wellbeing including poverty, discrimination, and institutional racism and other forms of bias expressed through housing, healthcare, education, labor, and other public policies. 

Reproductive Health Support Statement

In keeping with our vision of ensuring a nation of healthier women, children and their families, the National WIC Association supports the ability of women to make their own health care decisions—void of unnecessary barriers that impede access to vital health care services, including the full spectrum of reproductive and maternal health care. As a guiding principle, we believe health equity, which is defined as the ability of all individuals and families to achieve optimal health, irrespective of their identity, race, ability or class, should be central to the work we do as advocates for the WIC program and the clients it serves.

NWA’s Guiding Principles: 

  • Envisioning a nation of healthier women, children, and their families;
  • Achieving optimal health, irrespective of identity, race, ability or class; 
  • Ensuring health equity for all individuals and families;  
  • Ensuring equitable access to nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, chronic disease prevention and management services, healthcare, safe living environments, education, and good jobs with fair pay;  
  • Removing obstacles to families’ short- and long-term health and wellbeing including poverty, discrimination, and institutional racism and other forms of bias;
  • Ensuring that our members have the tools and leadership skills to:
    • expand and sustain effective nutrition services for mothers and young children,
    • advocate for and influence public policies that lead to a healthier nation for women, children, and their families, and
    • achieve these principles for the families that we serve 

Breastfeeding Statement

The National WIC Association endorses the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) Policy Statements on Breastfeeding.

 

The AAP policy statement “Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk” (2012) states, “Breastfeeding and human milk are the normative standards for all infant feeding and nutrition. Given the documented short and long-term medical and neurodevelopment advantages of breastfeeding, infant nutrition should be considered a public health issue not only a lifestyle choice.”

 

The ABM’s “Position on Breastfeeding” (2015) states, “Suboptimal breastfeeding practices are unequivocally associated with a greater risk of infant morbidity and mortality not only in developing countries, but also in industrialized countries. Increasing breastfeeding rates is one of the most important behaviors we can promote to decrease infant death and illness worldwide.”

 

NWA promotes exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life with continued breastfeeding through the first year and beyond with the addition of appropriate complementary foods. All WIC staff have a role in promoting and providing support for the successful initiation and continuation of breastfeeding.

Land Acknowledgement 

With great respect, NWA would like to acknowledge that today the NWA National Office is located on the unceded territory of the Nacotchtank and Piscataway peoples, the original keepers of the land for millennia. The Nacotchtank – successful traders – were displaced or suffered significant deaths from communicable diseases brought by colonists. Those remaining relocated in 1668 to what is now Theodore Roosevelt Island in the Potomac River opposite Georgetown, and later sought refuge and were absorbed by the Piscataway of Southern Maryland. Click here to find out on what Native land you reside.


National Campaigns

We are a proud partner in numerous collaborative efforts to promote the public health nutrition including:

  • Sesame Workshop: NWA partners with Sesame Workshop to promote healthy eating and physical activity in WIC clinics nationwide through distribution of a variety of educational materials directed toward young children.
  • Foundry 360 (formerly Meredith): NWA partners with Foundry 360 in the development of nutrition education materials for use in WIC clinics and for distribution to WIC mothers and young children.
  • Altarum Institute: NWA is a research partner with Altarum Institute, a non-profit research institute to develop research and evaluation on various aspects of the WIC Program.
  • Child Nutrition Forum: NWA is a founding partner of the Child Nutrition Forum, a collaborative advocacy effort combining the advocacy voices of hundreds of national social justice organizations to promote WIC & Child Nutrition Reauthorization.
  • The Food Policy Working Group: NWA partners with the faith-based advocacy collaborative, The Food Policy Working Group.
  • Ad Council: NWA created a successful three-year partnership with the Ad Council in 2002 producing nationally distributed video, radio, and print media promotions for the WIC Program.

Annual Reports

2014 Annual Report
2014 Audit Report
2015 Annual Report
2015 Audit Report
2016 Annual Report
2016 Audit Report
2017 Annual Report
2017 Audit Report
2018 Year in Review

2018 Audit Report
2018 Annual Report
2019 Annual Report

2020 Annual Report
2020-2021 Audit Report

Our 990 form is available upon request.

See highlights of our achievements and learn how the Association has evolved over the years.

  • 1979 - The idea for the National Association of WIC Directors (NAWD) comes about at a USDA-sponsored event when the attending State WIC Directors gather informally. It’s suggested that the State Directors form an association to represent their mutual interests. During the following year, the State Directors develop an informal network.
     
  • 1984 - An election of Association officers takes place. The membership begins the process of identifying policy issues and resolutions needed, as well as planning the Association’s future directions. An Annual Conference and a business meeting have been held each year since 1984.
     
  • 1986 - Infant formula cost containment implementation.
     
  • 1990 - A full-time Executive Director, Douglas Greenaway, is hired, and an office opens in Washington, DC. The following year, NAWD holds its first Washington Leadership Day.
     
  • 1992 - Committees complete the first four position papers: The Role of Infant Formula in the WIC Program; Breastfeeding Promotion in the WIC Program; Cost Allocation Systems; and Vendor Management in the WIC Program.
     
  • 1994 - The Association successfully defeats efforts to block grant WIC.
     
  • 2000 - Food package review paper, NAWD makes recommendations to improve the WIC food package.
     
  • 2004 - The Association changes its name to the National WIC Association, NWA, and implements a new Board structure. The Association’s three Sections (State Directors, Local Agency Directors, and Nutrition Services) are now equally represented on the Board of Directors.
     
  • 2005 - The Association concludes a highly successful three-year WIC public service announcement (PSA) outreach campaign in partnership with the Ad Council. Forty State WIC Agencies support the Association’s efforts to produce and broadly distribute radio, television, and print media campaigns with the following taglines: “Your child has you. And you have WIC.” and “Feed them well. Love them lots!” The campaigns garner an estimated $38 million in donated media time to promote WIC.
     
  • 2007 - After more than a decade of advocating for changes to the WIC Food Packages, the work of the Association pays off with the publication of the USDA Interim Final Rule to change the WIC Food Packages in December. Changes go into effect in 2009. The WIC food package is revised to provide consistency with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and establish dietary recommendations for infants and children under two years of age. Additions include fruits and vegetables, whole grain products, and milk substitutions for those who are lactose-intolerant.
     
  • 2009 - To help introduce the new WIC food package, NWA formally launches, with the help of Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and Sesame Street characters Cookie Monster and Broccoli, the Association’s Healthy Habits for Life partnership with Sesame Workshop. This successful initiative results in the distribution of more than 3.6 million Healthy Habits for Life multimedia outreach kits to WIC families in 38 states.
     
  • 2010 - NWA convenes a National Breastfeeding Summit bringing together over 200 diverse stakeholders and partners, engaging them in a conversation to develop key principles for a national strategic plan to promote and support breastfeeding in WIC. Key speakers include USDA’s Under Secretary for FNCS, the Acting Deputy Surgeon General, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) President-Elect.
     
  • 2010 - NWA is invited to the President’s signing of The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act in December, which includes 15 key NWA recommended priorities.
     
  • 2011 - The Association approves a new legislative agenda for 2011 and 2012 pressing for key funding priorities for WIC and other legislative priorities including initiatives to enhance FDA oversight on foods with functional ingredients, phase out bisphenol A (BPA), end food deserts, and protecting the prevention and wellness provisions of the Affordable Care Act of 2010.

Georgia Machell, PhD

Interim President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer

Georgia is originally from Leeds, England. After completing a PhD in Food Policy from City University of London, Georgia joined the National WIC Association in 2015 as the Research and Evaluation Manager. After serving as the Chief Operating Officer for NWA, Georgia is currently serving as the Interim President and CEO of NWA. As Interim President and CEO of NWA, Georgia will ensure NWA maintains focus and momentum toward achieving its goals while supporting an effective process and transition to the permanent President & CEO.

Georgia has over 15 years experience of working in policy-driven food access on the local and national levels in both the US and the UK. In 2022 Georgia completed a certificate in Nonprofit Executive Leadership from the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. She is passionate about connecting the dots between research, policy, programming, operations, and governance to advance mission-driven work. She is committed to ensuring all people have equitable access to nutritious food. Georgia lives in Washington DC with her husband, 6-year-old daughter, and their spaniel.


Jennifer Vanderhoff

Special Administrator to the Interim President & CEO

Jennifer Vanderhoff provides high-level administrative and project support to NWA's Interim President & CEO, Leadership and staff teams in the areas of Operations, Accounting, Membership, Communications, Public Policy, and Research regularly. In addition, she is a liaison to the NWA Board of Directors. She also supports grant compliance, subgrantee contracting, and meeting planning.  Jennifer is a seasoned professional with a background in project management, operations management, meeting planning, government relations, and transcription. Jennifer has over a decade of experience working with senior-level executives in the nonprofit sector in Washington, DC.

 

 

 


Lyncoln Dujon

Director of Finance and Administration

Lyncoln manages the administrative and financial operations of NWA and oversees essential HR functions. This includes ensuring that NWA has sound and secure financial systems and procedures in place to support effective program delivery, and meets generally accepted accounting and audit standards and procedures. In addition, Lyncoln plans, directs, develops, and coordinates the HR policies and activities of the Association, ensuring legal compliance and effective staff support to implement the organization’s mission and vision. He is a Staff Liaison for the Steering Committee.

Lyncoln has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland. He has over 20 years of experience in management of day-to-day operational oversight and direction in the use of financial, administrative, technology, payroll and human resources. He has been working with NWA since May 2022.


Stacy Davis, MPH, IBCLC

Director, Center for Innovative Practices in WIC

Stacy Davis is a board-certified lactation consultant with over two decades of experience in clinical and community-based public health. For the past ten years, she has been dedicated to addressing racial and health inequities in birth, lactation, and nutrition. This commitment includes co-conspiring to implement equity-centered programs and services aimed at positively impacting maternal and infant mortality and morbidity rates. Stacy also works towards increasing and strengthening diversity in birth and lactation supporters and providers. Notable achievements include instituting Pathway 2 lactation programs in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, spearheading the accreditation for a nationally renowned doula program, and addressing the diversification of the WIC workforce.

Stacy Davis joined the National WIC Association in January 2022 as the Health Equity & Community Partnership Manager, and she now serves as the Director of the Center for Innovative Practices in WIC. She brings with her twenty years of experience as a WIC participant and six years of experience working at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service WIC Division. Stacy graduated from Davenport University with an undergraduate degree in Health Services Administration and from Western Michigan University with a graduate degree in Public Health. She currently serves as the President and Chair of the United States Lactation Consultant Association and as the Secretary of the Human Milk Bank Association of North America.


Ali Hard, MS, RD

Public Policy Director

Ali is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a wealth of experience in federal nutrition policy. Her educational background includes a BA from Columbia University and a Masters in Nutrition and Public Health from Teachers College, Columbia University. Ali previously served as the Chief Policy Officer at USDA Food and Nutrition Service and played a crucial role on the House Committee on Education and Labor, where she led federal nutrition program and other health and human services policy. She also served as Senior Associate for Federal Government Affairs and Federal Government Affairs Manager at the National WIC Association. Her return to NWA in November 2023 coincides with the exciting anticipation of her first child, who will have a special connection to WIC, as her husband's family relied on WIC as new immigrants in the 1980s and 1990s.

 


Tim Ward

Communications Director

Tim is responsible for ensuring that the National WIC Association is viewed as the go-to voice for the WIC program - serving as the primary source, disseminator, and conduit of information about WIC and as a leading advocate for WIC-adjacent priorities, including nutrition, maternal health, breastfeeding, and anti-poverty issues. Tim will have overall management responsibility for communication activities that support advocacy, member services, conferences, NWA products, and programs. He leads the Communications Team and oversees the development and distribution of all print and electronic communications materials. He also co-leads the Communication and Outreach Committee.

Tim obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, and Master of Arts in Political Science. He has over a decade of success envisioning and executing strategic communication plans that shape public opinion and drive policy change across multiple interrelated social justice issues and grantmaking initiatives. Before joining NWA in March 2022 he was the Communications Director of the ACLU of West Virginia, where he led multiple campaigns that garnered national attention. He also has worked as the Communications Director for College & Community Fellowship in New York City and led a national campaign to restore Pell Grants for incarcerated people. Tim lives in Maryland with his partner and his cat.

As a recipient of programs like WIC, Tim understands the value that they bring to the lives of all families. NWA plays a critical role in not only ensuring that these programs can continue to operate at a level that meets every family's needs, but also building a table where every stakeholder can work together to improve on how we meet those needs. ​​​


Emily Gilcher, M.Ac

Director of Member Services

Emily directs and develops strategies for member and partner recruitment, engagement, and satisfaction at NWA. She works closely with member groups, including the Board of Directors and NWA's committees and task forces, to support the member-led initiatives of the organization. She is also the Staff Liaison for the Local Agency Section Standing Committee.

Emily has a Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate from Georgetown University. She has over 20 years of experience working in nonprofit administration and membership expertise. She has worked at NWA since January 2017.

 

 

 

 


Aya Marie Florence Kouadjo, CPA

Accountant

Marie is the meticulous mind behind NWA's financial records and compliance with Accounting Principles. Holding a CPA and a master’s degree in accounting and financial management, she brings extensive experience working with nonprofit organizations of varying sizes.

 

 

 

 


Darlena Birch, MBA, RDN

Senior Manager of Public Health Nutrition

Darlena is responsible for managing NWA’s nutrition and breastfeeding activities. Darlena’s work includes representing the Association on various committees both inside and outside the organization, developing public comments, participating in the Association’s advocacy efforts, and assisting in the review of research/studies as it relates to nutrition and breastfeeding.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Chris Rothermel, SHRM-CP, MPA, ACNP

Senior Operations Manager

Chris manages the operational functions of NWA ensuring that administrative and operational systems are effectively and efficiently meeting staff needs. In addition, Chris coordinates vendor services such as IT support, telecommunication services, and facilities management. He manages the HR functions of the organization including staff recruitment, supporting payroll processing, record keeping, and on/off-boarding. He supports the Finance team in ensuring efficient financial policies and procedures and successful audits. Chris also manages the internship program. 

Chris joined NWA in August 2021 after serving as the Director of Operations for Health HIV and the Operations Manager for The DC Center for the LGBT Community. Chris is a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and a Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Advanced Certified Nonprofit Professional (ACNP). He has over 10 years of nonprofit management experience. Chris has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology/Anthropology, and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of the District of Columbia. He is passionate about making the operational functions of the organization as streamlined as possible to ensure NWA staff can focus on assisting members. When he isn’t making NWA processes easier, faster, or cheaper, Chris is playing video games with his husband and 3 cats.


Ashley Alexander

Senior Manager of Conference and Events

Ashley is responsible for the management and oversight of NWA conferences and events. She collaborates with the NWA Conference Planning Committees in managing conference logistics, including exhibits, activities, and educational content, assuring meaningful learning objectives, and themes consistent with NWA's mission and messaging.

 

 

 

 

 


Nell Menefee-Libey

Senior Public Policy Manager

Nell works with the public policy team to develop and execute advocacy strategies. In this role, she builds relationships with policymakers in Congress and the Administration to garner support for NWA’s programmatic and funding priorities. She also drafts policy-related communications and represents NWA in meetings with partner organizations to bring a nutrition and public health perspective to intersectional anti-poverty coalitions. Nell comes to NWA with prior experience in advocacy and as Congressional staff. She has a background in gender and social policy.

 

 

 

 


Whitney Dawn Carlson

Senior Manager of the Recruitment & Retention Campaign

Whitney manages the National Recruitment & Retention Campaign, which includes working closely with WIC agencies to provide NWA members with outreach, marketing, advertising, resources, and more.

Whitney has a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She has 10 years of expertise in social media, marketing, and storytelling. Before moving to the nonprofit space she was a journalist. She is passionate about investing in the health, well-being, and empowerment of women and children and has been with NWA since April, 2020.

 

 


Chloe Dillaway, MSPH, RD, LDN

WIC Innovation and Technology Manager

Chloe is a Registered Dietitian with over a decade of experience in public health research, programs, and community-based practice. She is responsible for managing NWA activities related to WIC innovation and technological advancements to improve the participant experience. She also represents NWA on various committees and in external groups related to technology and modernization.

Chloe holds a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University in International Relations, Community Health and Spanish, and a Master of Science in Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Chloe joined NWA in March 2024 with prior experience as a nutritionist in a WIC Local Agency in Baltimore, and at the Maryland WIC State Agency working in outreach and community partnerships. She also has a background in women’s reproductive health policy research.

 


Carlos Dees, MBA, RD, CLC

Business Partnerships Manager

Carlos manages external stakeholder engagement for NWA. This involves managing and developing relationships with NWA’s current and new partners, exhibitors, and sponsors. He also leads marketing/recruitment planning and implementation for the external stakeholder, exhibitor, and sponsorship programs in support of improving infant, child, and maternal nutrition.

Carlos holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science from Auburn University and a Master of Business Administration from Troy University. He has over a decade of experience in the public and private sector focusing on infant, child, and maternal nutrition.  He joined NWA in March 2023 in the inaugural role of Business Partnerships Manager and is honored to collaborate with industry and nonprofit organizations in an effort to support NWA's mission to expand and sustain effective nutrition services for mothers and young children.


Marie Gualtieri, PhD

Advocacy Manager

Marie is a sociologist whose passion is to transform people's lived experiences into meaningful action and concrete change. As Advocacy Manager, Marie is responsible for managing strategies to engage State and Local stakeholders to advance NWA’s mission, public policy priorities, and objectives. Marie served as a Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of U.S. Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro on issues surrounding nutrition and hunger. For over a decade, Marie facilitated strategic partnerships with community-based organizations, health providers, and foundations, working on issues related to nutrition and hunger across the lifespan. Marie was the recipient of the 2017 American Society on Aging’s Graduate Research Award. Her research and opinion pieces have been published in peer-reviewed journals, textbooks, and online outlets. She has given numerous invited presentations on her work and was a former instructor at North Carolina State University, where Marie received her Ph.D. in Sociology. She joined NWA in January 2024.

 


Sarah Younker, RDN, MBA, CPT

Senior Membership and Events Associate

Sarah works with the Education and Membership Engagement team to support NWA members by answering questions and assisting with WIC staff education and networking opportunities, as well as working on event and conference planning and ensuring CEU standards are met for all qualifying programming. She joined NWA in January 2024.

She is passionate about public health nutrition and has dedicated three and a half years to working with WIC. Volunteering holds great importance for her, and she has served as the secretary for the Northern Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics chapter, contributed to the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics board focusing on public policy, participated in several NWA committees, and conducted precepting with nursing and dietetics students and interns.

Before joining WIC, Sarah worked at Andrews University as a nutrition professor, served as a clinical assistant for the university's Dietetic Internship, and worked as a clinical dietitian in long-term care. She thoroughly enjoys educating people on the significance of nutrition and mentoring new health professionals. Sarah earned her Masters in Business Administration from Andrews University.

In her free time, she finds joy in raising chickens, as well as engaging in activities such as swimming and gardening.


Victoria Micalizzi

Senior Communications Associate

Victoria collaborates with the Communications Team to execute strategic communications in support of NWA's mission. She is responsible for creating social media content, designing print and digital materials, and providing social media assistance and support to WIC providers. She also develops social media toolkits for dissemination to partner organizations, helps WIC stakeholders and members tell their stories, and promotes NWA policy campaigns and conferences with design and social media curation.

Victoria graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Technology and Emerging Media. She has been doing social media and graphic design for 4-5 years and has had many experiences at nonprofit organizations. She joined us at NWA in June 2022.


Maureen Lytle

Senior Communications Associate

Maureen is responsible for building NWA's communication strategies, specifically in marketing NWA products, events, and initiatives. She works closely with NWA's Communications Team to formulate both short and long-term communication strategies aligned with NWA's mission. This involves supporting the creation of digital materials, managing website content, coordinating fundraising campaigns, and offering technical assistance to NWA members. Furthermore, Maureen serves as the NWA Staff Liaison for the WIC Hub Committee and collaborates with the Conference and Events team on content creation, marketing, and design. She joined NWA in January, 2021.

Maureen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Women's Studies from Hollins University and is deeply committed to advocating for women's health, reproductive health, and economic mobility.


Join Our Team

Check out NWA job openings here.


NWA is a member-driven organization that represents the diverse mission areas essential to WIC service delivery. NWA's membership consists of five Sections: State Agency, Local Agency, Nutrition Services, Breastfeeding, and Vendor Management. Each Section is governed by a Standing Committee that includes geographic representation from each of the seven USDA regions. NWA's Board of Directors - which sets strategic priorities for the organization - is composed of members of these Standing Committees and an Executive Committee elected by the full voting membership.

NWA Bylaws were revised in May 2022 and April 2023 to bring more voices to the table, including parity throughout the organizational structure between State and Local Agencies. The Board and other organizational entities are in a transitional phase to be completed by Summer 2024.


2023-2024 Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Kate Franken, MN, Chair
Amanda Hovis, TX, Treasurer
Samar McGregor, CA, Secretary
Paul Throne, WA, Chair Emeritus
Georgia Machell, Interim President/CEO, ex-officio

Board - Section Representatives
Filomena Ahlefeld, PA, Mid-Atlantic, Local Agencies Section
Tami Kepa'a, OR, Western, Local Agencies Section, Section Co-Chair
Karen Mullen, WA, Western, State Directors Section
Cheri Nemec, Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, WI, and National Indigenous and Native American WIC Coalition (NINAWC) Chair, Indigenous Agencies
Jennifer Nicklas, LA, Southwest, State Directors Section, Section Chair
Tracy Sabo, KS, Mountain Plains, Local Agencies Section
Melody Shrank, Chickasaw Nation (OK), Southwest, Nutrition Services Section, Section Chair
Jody Shriver, OH, Midwest, Local Agencies Section
Tecora Smith, TX, Southwest, Local Agencies Section, Section Co-Chair
Kimberly Stanek, IA, Midwest, State Directors Section
Amanda Varriano, ND, Mountain Plains, State Directors Section
TBD, Vendor Manager Section
TBD, Breastfeeding Section


Standing Section Committees

Breastfeeding Section Standing Committee
Rachel August, WA, Western
Nicole Hungerford, MT, Mountain Plains
Marilyn Lonczak, CT, Northeast 
TBD, Mid-Atlantic
TBD, Southeast
TBD,
 Midwest
TBD, Southwest


Local Agency Section Standing Committee
Filomena Ahlefeld, PA, Mid-Atlantic
Sarah Bennett, NC, Southeast
Tami Kepa'a, OR, Western, Section Standing Committee Co-Chair
Oanh Nguyen, MA, Northeast
Tracy Sabo, KS, Mountain Plains 
Jody Shriver, OH, Midwest
Tecora Smith, TX, Southwest, Section Standing Committee Co-Chair

Nutrition Services Section Standing Committee
Aimee Duncan, MT, Mountain Plains
Jennifer Goldbronn, CA, Western
Rebecca Gruenes, MN, Midwest
Angela Hammond-Damon, GA, Southeast
Crystal N. Hurley, DE, Mid-Atlantic
Gillian MacKinnon, VT, Northeast
Melody Shrank, Chickasaw Nation (OK), Southwest, Section Standing Committee Chair

State Directors Section Standing Committee
Akua Odi Boateng, DC, Mid-Atlantic
Karen Mullen, WA, Western
Cheri Nemec, Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, WI, and NINAWC Chair, Indigenous Agencies
Jennifer Nicklas, LA, Southwest, Section Standing Committee Chair
Nicole Nicholas, KY, Southeast
Ginger Roberts-Scott, NH, Northeast
Kimberly Stanek, IA, Midwest
Amanda Varriano, ND, Mountain Plains

Vendor Manager Section Standing Committee
Kelli Darland, KY, Southeast
Allen Esparza, WA, Western
Andrea Miller, VT, Northeast
Maura Shea, MD, Mid-Atlantic
TBD,
 Mountain Plains  
TBD,
 Midwest
TBD, Southwest

 

The National WIC Association is grateful to all of our supporters helping build a nation of healthier women, children, and their families.

 

                               

                           

 

 

 

 

Our Business Council Partners are a distinguished group of public and private organizations and corporations who are committed to retaining and enhancing the WIC Program’s vision and to supporting the National WIC Association’s mission. To learn more about how to apply to become a Business Council Partner, or other types of sustaining partnerships, visit our Partnership page.


 

Danone North America

Danone North America

Danone North America is committed to bringing health through food to as many people as possible.

And every day we work to help improve the American diet by offering more nutrient dense foods and making them more widely available.

http://www.danonenorthamerica.com


Earth's Best

Earth's Best

Earth’s Best Organic® is proud to partner with NWA and WIC. Since 1985, Earth’s Best Organic® has been leading the way in improving accessibility to high quality organic baby food for all Americans, including WIC recipients.

We have worked closely with multiple states to authorize organic baby food as part of their WIC programs. Organic products currently eligible include Earth’s Best Organic® Baby Food Jars and Earth’s Best Organic® Cereals.

https://www.earthsbest.com/


General Mills

General Mills

General Mills is proud of its longstanding partnership with NWA and WIC.  Our relationship with WIC started over 40 years ago when Cheerios cereal was reformulated with more iron to meet the needs of WIC participants.  Today, General Mills manufactures over 250 products that meet federal eligibility requirements.  From popular cereal brands like Cheerios™, Kix™, and Chex™ cereals, to Yoplait®; and Mountain High™ yogurt, Progresso™ beans, Muir Glen™ Tomatoes, to Cascadian Farm™ frozen fruit and vegetables – we make delicious, widely-available products that WIC consumers are proud to provide to their families. 

http://www.generalmills.com


Gerber

Gerber

Gerber is proud to support WIC families with nutritious foods to support healthy growth and development for WIC participants. We craft, grow and make baby’s food with purpose, care and love. At Gerber, research informs everything we do – from the foods we make, the nutrition education we deliver and the services we offer. We carefully craft all of our recipes to exceed parents’ high standards and to help families thrive. Our network of infant feeding experts, registered dietitians, and scientists come together to design every product and ensure every detail is perfectly refined before we begin growing, sourcing and making. We settle for nothing less than our very best.

For parents and caregivers: www.gerber.comFor healthcare and public health professionals: www.medical.gerber.com.

https://gerber.com


Mom's Fresh Foods

Mom's Fresh Foods

Mom's Fresh Foods offers Fast, Convenient & Culturally Sensitive Women, Infants & Children Express Stores!

For Mom's Fresh, Women, Infants & Children Families Means Value, Convenience and a Warm, Friendly Shopping Experience.  

Women, Infants & Children Shopping Made Easy!

• Fully stocked stores ensure participants receive their entire food prescription

• Variety and competitive prices maximize usage of cash value produce vouchers

• Greater satisfaction with the WIC shopping experience ensures higher utilization of benefits and greater participant retention rates

• Access to WIC foods near WIC clinics and in underserved communities encourages more families to participate in the program

Contact: Michael Amiri, President & CEO

http://www.momsfresh.com/


NationsBenefits®

NationsBenefits®

NationsBenefits® introduces a suite of products crafted specifically for the WIC EBT market. Our solutions leverage mobile and cloud-based technologies providing a reliable native mobile app experience to WIC moms. SoliMarket is the first turn-key solution providing touchless mobile transactions between the participant and the Farmer for WIC and Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs. Technology forward redemption interactions at the market combined with a powerful MIS platform that manages participants, farmers, and market data completes the full circle service.

NationsBenefits, through the acquisition of SoliSYSTEMS, is a leader in the WIC EBT sector providing eWIC smart cards, Cyberjack smart card readers for clinics and the MobiWIC register for WIC retailers.  Based on our extensive knowledge of WIC EBT, our offerings are expanding to include online EBT processing services. This expansion into the EBT processing market, provides a viable choice for WIC Programs looking towards the future of EBT including mobile payment and online shopping. 

https://www.nationsbenefits.com/


Post Consumer Brands

Post Consumer Brands

In 2015, MOM Brands and Post Foods came together to form Post Consumer Brands—the third largest cereal company in the U.S. We now offer 25 WIC eligible cereals, approved in 49 states, plus Puerto Rico. No other cereal company offers as large a variety of iconic Hot Cereal and the Ready-to-Eat Cereal brands.

While providing all the nutritional benefits to meet Federal WIC eligibility, Post Consumer Brands offers some of America’s favorite combinations of sound nutrition and great taste. Which means families can look forward to —and really feel good about—breakfast, every day.

Cereal is the #1 choice for breakfast in the U.S. and a big part of WIC programs in every state. Over 8 million women and children in the WIC program count on cereal to provide the nutrition they need. What’s more, studies show that kids who eat breakfast do better in school. It’s indeed what makes breakfast the most important meal of the day.

Post Consumer Brands partners with Touchstone Growth Partners, a consulting firm to represent us with state WIC agencies. On behalf of Post Consumer Brands, Touchstone Growth Partners connects with WIC managers across 90 agencies, promoting the nutritious benefits of all our cereals. For more information, please contact: Dave Myers at (717) 715-2700 or email at dave@touchstonegp.com.

https://postconsumerbrands.com/


Vexcel Corporation

Vexcel Corporation

WIC MOSAIC is a modern solution for the Women, Infants, and Children Program impacting participation, eligibility, and retention. Designed with a focus on participant's day-to-day, allowing mom to take control of her WIC experience.  WIC MOSAIC is truly an end-to-end solution created for WIC staff and participants.  Built with input from WIC staff allowing them to focus more on what matters.  

 

Redefining the clinic experience - An easy and fast solution enabling clinic staff to focus on what matters. Learn more about WIC MOSAIC here.

 

Vexcel Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation and separate legal entity, extends and enhances Microsoft products and services by providing customers with end-to-end solutions including cloud, hardware, software, and services.

http://www.vexcel.com


WK Kellogg Co.

WK Kellogg Co.

As a NWA business partner and member of the WIC community, we pursue opportunities for multiple WIC stakeholders to work together for the benefit of the program. A deep knowledge of WIC concerns allows us to create Kellogg products and nutrition communications to answer WIC needs.

https://www.wkkellogg.com/en-us/home.html


In addition to our governing Board, NWA's work is informed by committees and task forces comprised of our members. 

"Committees" address broad policy issues to further the long-term mission of the Association at the direction of the Board of Directors. "Task Forces" may be created to carry out the work of the Association at the direction of the Board to address specific short-term goals or initiatives.

See NWA’s Committees and Task Force Guidelines.

Interested in Volunteering? NWA recruits new volunteers to sit on committees and task forces twice per year (Fall and Spring). Check here for updates!

NWA Committee and Task Force Roster

Committees

2024-2025 NWA Annual Education and Training Conference Planning Committee
This committee supports and provides guidance to the NWA meeting planner in designing and convening meaningful conference experiences for NWA’s membership. 

Stephanie Bess, 2024 Committee Chair
Beth Beachy, State Host - Local Agency Rep
Thomas Shuff, State Agency Section
Rachel August, Nutrition Services Section
Katie Tallman, Local Agency Section
Jessika Free-Bass, Indigenous Agency Representative
Ross Bradley, At-Large
Susan Conover, At-Large
Tracy Ducker, At-Large
Todd Kirkpatrick, At-Large
Ginger Roberts-Scott, At-Large
Lisa Schlientz, At-Large
Tabitha Hicks, At- Large
Vacant, Partner
Britny Cholost, Partner
Tecora Smith, NWA Section Liaison 
Ashley Alexander, NWA Meeting Planner, and NWA Staff Liaison


2023-2025 Technology, Program Integrity, and Vendor Management Conference Planning Committee 
This committee supports and provides guidance to the NWA meeting planner in designing and convening meaningful conference experiences for NWA’s membership. 

Hashina Bowen-Seneque, At-Large
Ross Bradley, At-Large
Monica Cardenas, At-Large
Martelle Esposito, Partner
Camilla Haught, Local Agency Section Representative
Joyce Hornick, At-Large
Paul Ladny, Vendor Management Section Representative
Ginger Roberts-Scott, State Director Section Representative
Eriko Robinson, Nutrition Services Section Representative
Sarah Younker, NWA Staff Liaison
Ashley Alexander, NWA Meeting Planner, and NWA Staff Liaison
Tracy Sabo, NWA Section Liaison 


2024-2026 Nutrition Education and Breastfeeding Promotion Conference Planning Committee
This committee supports and provides guidance to the NWA meeting planner in designing and convening meaningful conference experiences for NWA’s membership. 

Jennifer Wilson, Host State Director
Sarah Younker, NWA Staff Liaison
Ashley Alexander, NWA Meeting Planner, and NWA Staff Liaison
Tracy Sabo, NWA Section Liaison


Breastfeeding Promotion Committee

The Breastfeeding Promotion Committee works to develop recommendations and standards for the promotion and support of breastfeeding among mothers participating in the WIC Program. This Committee also works to encourage the active promotion of breastfeeding by NWA members.

Dori Monica, Chair
Amy Resnik, State Agency Section
Christina Perry, Nutrition Services Section
Dee Huerta, Local Agency Section
Jessika Free, Indigenous Agency Representative
Cheryl Lorie, At-Large
Carole Peterson, At-Large
Pua Kaiwi, At-Large
Darlena Birch, NWA Staff Liaison
Angela Hammond-Damon, NWA Section Liaison 


Communications/Outreach Committee

This committee examines the needs, challenges, and successes of WIC agency communications and outreach strategies, and develops best practices to reach and recruit eligible WIC participants and educate the public about the WIC program’s benefits.

Vacant, Chair
Dawn Briner, Emeritus-Member
Claudette Hayes-Sowers, At-Large
Ernest Le, State Agency Section
Tara Olson, Local Agency Section
Lisa Scully, At-Large
Christine Smith, Local Agency Section
Machaela Taylor, Indigenous Agency Representative
Renee Wing, Nutrition Services Section
Vacant, State Vendor Management Section
Vacant, State Breastfeeding Section
Victoria Micalizzi, NWA Staff Liaison
Filomena Ahlefeld, NWA Section Liaison 


Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee

This committee provides feedback and recommendations:

  • to NWA policies to ensure they are written with an equity lens and are inclusive of NWA members, WIC families and the WIC workforce.
  • on the organizational goals are inclusive of WIC families and workforce.
  • for revision(s) of NWA’s health equity statement to ensure current and future statements are inclusive of members and leadership.
  • to NWA initiatives and projects related to equity, diversity and inclusion. 

LaShonna Thompson, Chair
Leann Lopez, At-Large
Lela Stapler, At-Large
Uranus "Rae" Mapson, At-Large
Adela Garcia, At-Large
Stacy Busey, At-Large
Leann Lopez, At-Large
Emily Church, NWA Participant Advisory Council Member
Vacant, Secretary
Vacant, At-Large
Vacant, At-Large
Vacant, At-Large
Vacant, At-Large
Tami Kepa'a, NWA Section Liaison 
Stacy Davis, NWA Staff Liaison


Evaluation Committee

The National WIC Association (NWA) views the cycle of research, practice, and policy to be reciprocal and encourages collaboration between researchers and practitioners to conduct high quality research that supports WIC and identifies innovative approaches to program improvement. The mission of the committee is to identify research areas that support NWA and WIC programs nationwide, provide guidance to academic and other external research partners to support research and evaluation activities, bolstering resources and capacity for evaluation at the State and agency-level. The evaluation committee will recognize and consider diversity and inclusion in all aspects of its work to support NWA’s mission of “providing tools and leadership to expand and sustain effective nutrition services for women, infants, and children”.

Devina Wadhera, Chair
Jordan Friend, Member
Joni Geppert, Member
Bagyalakshmi Kodur, Member
Vacant, Member
Vacant, Member
Vacant, Member
Vacant, Researcher
Vacant, Researcher
Joanne Guthrie, USDA-ERS Partner
Ruth Morgan, USDA-FNS Partner
Leslie Hodges, USDA-ERS Partner
Ginger Roberts-Scott, NWA Section Liaison 
Georgia Machell, NWA Staff Liaison


Farmers Market Programs Committee

The NWA Farmer’s Market Committee monitors and disseminates promising practices related to the use of WIC at farmer’s markets, including the Cash Value Benefit and the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP). The committee also identifies opportunities for collaboration between WIC FMNP and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) and develops recommendations on opportunities to streamline programmatic efficiency and benefits delivery. The Farmers Market committee provides guidance to NWA staff on relevant policy and program priorities. The Farmer’s Market committee aims to promote equitable access to Farmer’s Markets for WIC participants regardless of their identity, race, ability, class, or location.

Rachel August, Chair 
Maria Menor, Member
Mary Nauert, Member
Samantha Blanchard, Member
Katie Chou, Member
Lorie Brendecke, Member
Britney Zwergel, Member
Vacant, Member
Vacant, Member
Vacant, Member
Vacant, Member
Vacant, Member
Vacant, Researcher
Vacant, Researcher
Stacy Davis, NWA Staff Liaison
Emily Gilcher, NWA Staff Liaison
Tecora Smith, NWA Section Liaison 


Legislative Committee

The Legislative Committee supports the development and implementation of the Association’s legislative and regulatory policy. The Legislative Committee shall approve an annual policy agenda at the beginning of each calendar year, and may craft additional proposals for the consideration of NWA’s Board of Directors and staff. Members of the Legislative Committee shall be routinely updated on policy strategy and timelines and may be called upon to serve as spokespersons for the organization in press, conference, legislative forums, and other venues, as deemed appropriate by NWA staff. The goal is to continue to be strategic, hold proactive discussions with members, and encourage the growth of emerging leadership among WIC State and Local Agency staff.

Heidi Hoffman, Chair
Melinda Newport, Indigenous Agency Representative
Tiare T. Sanna, State Agency (Western Region)
TBD, State Agency (Mid-West Region)
TBD, State Agency (Mountain Plains Region)
TBD, State Agency (Southeast Region)
TBD, State Agency (Southwest Region)
TBD, State Agency (Mid-Atlantic Region)
TBD, State Agency (Northeast Region)
Christine O'Brien, Local Agency (Mid-West Region)
Leslie Hibbs, Local Agency (Southwest Region)
Theresa Landau, Local Agency (Northeast Region)
Lexie Stoneking, Local Agency (Mid-West Region)
TBD, Local Agency (Mountain Plains Region)
TBD, Local Agency (Southeast Region)
TBD, Local Agency (Mid-Atlantic Region)
TBD, Local Agency (Western Region)
Samar McGregor, NWA Section Liaison 
Nell Menefee-Libey, NWA Staff Liaison


Vendor Business Practices Committee

This committee develops Association policy and related position papers relevant to vendor relationships and implementation of vendor-related policies affecting the WIC Program and WIC participants.

Kelli Darland, Chair
Heidi Staats, State Agency Section
Laurie Somerhausen, Local Agency Section
Sara Sloan, Nutrition Services Section
Mallory Phelps, Indigenous Agency Representative
Celeste Lunceford, At-Large
Kim Boulette, At-Large
Carrie Coenen, At-Large
Carlos Dees, NWA Staff Liaison
Jennifer Nicklas, NWA Section Liaison 


WIC Hub Committee

This committee has the following primary functions:

  • creating strategic plans for developing and improving the user experience of www.theWIChub.org (the Hub), and
  • reviewing content submitted to the Hub for publication consideration.

Additionally, the committee encourages submissions to the Hub from the entire WIC community by making the process accessible and nimbly instituting change when opportunities present.

Kathleen Rebollo, Chair 
Marinela Colclough, At-Large
Lauren Cromer, Local Agency Section
Jenniffer Durant-West, At-Large
Sanaa Farran, Nutrition Services Section
Hazel Fuentes, Breastfeeding Section
Tabitha Hicks, At-Large
Kristi Lozinto, Indigenous Agency Representative
Marian Schenck, Vendor Management Section
Elena Tateo, At Large
Vacant, At-Large
Vacant, State Agency Section
Vacant, Researcher
Maureen Lytle, NWA National Office Liaison
Filomena Ahlfeld, NWA Section Liaison 


WIC Workforce Development Committee

This committee:

  • Recommends use of Member Benefit Fund for members, to include making revision recommendations to the current Member Benefit Fund Guidelines and reviewing applications for benefit use (i.e. scholarships)
  • Develops recommendations and evaluating opportunities for: Leadership skill development for WIC;
  • Focuses on professional development pathways and opportunities for achieving and maintaining credentials valuable to the WIC Workforce (to include RD, IBCLC, CLC, NTDR, CPA, CPPA, etc.)
  • In consultation with the NWA EDI committee, focuses on increasing diversity in the workforce to ensure WIC staff at all levels are representative of the communities and cultures the WIC program serves.
  • Considers and makes recommendations related to funding, staffing, and staffing processes, ratios, and priorities, and indirect costs, to ensure continued recruitment and retention of a diverse WIC staff.

Susan Wnuk, Chair 
Kate Andrus, Nutrition Services Section
Dawn Ballosingh, Local Agency Section
Brittany Cook, At-large
Beth Cordova, At-Large
Rose Douglass, At-large
Kathy Duffy, At-Large
Mary Ellison, At-Large
Jessika Free, Indigenous Agencies
Gina Keenan, Indigenous Agencies
Linda M. Kilby, Local Agency Section
Todd Kirkpatrick, At-Large
Jennifer Madden Smith, Nutrition Services Section
Cheri Nemec, Indigenous Agencies
Thomas Shuff, State Agency Section
Ankita Tandel,  At-Large
Peggy Trouba, State Agency Section
Danielle White, Local Agency Section
Tammy Wise, Local Agency Section
Darlena Birch, NWA Staff Liaison
Sarah Bennett, NWA Section Liaison 


Task Forces

Infant and Maternal Mortality in WIC Task Force

This task force examines available research regarding WIC participation and infant mortality and maternal mortality to identify best practices for addressing the issue while analyzing methods to reduce the incidence of infant and maternal mortality in WIC.

Sheryl Pickering, Chair
Jennifer Ortiz, Chair
Breanne Haviland, State Agency Section
Natalie Alcaraz, Local Agency Section
Lindsey Dermid Gray, Nutrition Services Section
Melody Shrank, Indigenous Agency Representative
Lorrie Brooks, At-Large
Elizabeth Hulbrook, At-Large
Jessica Smith, At-Large
Dyane Gogan Turner, Consultant
Kathleen Hiltwine, State Agency Section
Linda M. Kilby, Local Agency Section
Heather Kristofzski-Raizor, Nutrition Services Section
TBD, Indigenous Agency Representative
Bridget Millich, At-Large
Carla Robinson, At-Large
Darlena Birch, NWA Staff Liaison
Melody Shrank, NWA Section Liaison 


Joint Work Group with USDA/FNS

Risk Identification and Selection Collaborative (RISC)

RISC is a partnership between USDA/FNS and NWA to promote ongoing review and development of appropriate nutrition risk criteria for consistent application in the WIC program.

Jennifer Ortner, Chair (USDA/FNS)
Five NWA Voting Representatives:
Cassanda Lloyd
Danae Olson 
Alan Brown
Angie Moss 
Christina Carbone
Egondu Onuoha, Consultant
Darlena Birch, NWA Staff Liaison
Gillian MacKinnon, NWA Section Liaison