The National WIC Association (NWA) is the non-profit 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 "What is the National WIC Association?" a one-page flier about us.
The National WIC Association provides its members with tools and leadership to expand and sustain effective nutrition services for mothers and young children.
Our vision is a nation of healthier women, children, and their families.
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.
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.
• 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:
o expand and sustain effective nutrition services for mothers and young children,
o advocate for and influence public policies that lead to a healthier nation for women, children, and their families, and
o achieve these principles for the families that we serve
The National WIC Association (NWA) 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.
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.
We are a proud partner in numerous collaborative efforts to promote the public health nutrition including:
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.
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 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, Government Relations, and Research on a regular basis. 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. Lastly, she has over a decade of experience working with senior-level executives in the nonprofit sector in Washington, D.C.
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.
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.
Marie is responsible for recording and reporting NWA's financial data, as well as ensuring compliance with Accounting Principles. She is a CPA and has a master’s degree in accounting and financial management. Marie has extensive experience with not-for-profit organizations both large and small.
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.
Stacy is responsible for the management and oversight of NWA’s health equity portfolio. This includes oversight of the planning, development, administration, and implementation of health equity initiatives. She leads the Association staff and its members in understanding, promoting, and integrating a health equity lens to inform internal and external policies and strategies into all facets of WIC and NWA governance. Additionally, Stacy identifies, monitors, and communicates strategies that best engage communities served by WIC to NWA staff and its members to improve customer service, increase recruitment and retention of WIC participants, eliminate health disparities, and promote cultural competence. Stacy is also the Staff Liaison for NWA’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee and Breastfeeding Promotion Committee. She has been a part of NWA since January 2022.
Stacy holds a Bachelor's in Health Administration from Davenport University and a Master's in Public Health from Western Michigan University. She has 24 years of expertise in public health and 10 years of expertise in maternal child health, lactation, program management, implementation and evaluation, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, as well as reproductive justice.
Chris manages the operational functions of NWA. He ensures that administrative and operational systems are effectively and efficiently meeting staff needs. In addition, Chris coordinates vendor services such as IT support, communication services, and facilities management. He supports the HR functions of the organization including staff recruitment, payroll processing, records keeping, and on/off-boarding. Chris also supports the Comptroller in ensuring efficient financial policies and procedures and successful audits.
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, gaining over 19 years of experience in nonprofit management. Chris has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of the District of Columbia, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Anthropology from the University of the District of Columbia, and a Master of Public Administration 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. Chris currently lives in Washington, DC, and has 3 cats.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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. Whitney is the NWA Staff Liaison for the Communications and Outreach Committee. She is also passionate about investing in the health, well-being, and empowerment of women and children and has been with NWA since April 2020.
Maureen is responsible for supporting NWA communication strategies, particularly in marketing NWA products, events, and initiatives. Maureen coordinates with NWA's Communications Team to develop short and long-term communication strategies and plans. This includes supporting the production of all Association print materials and website content, coordinating digital individual fundraising campaigns, and providing technical assistance to Association members. Additionally, Maureen serves as the NWA Staff Liaison for the WIC Hub Committee and collaborates with the Conference and Events Director on content creation, marketing, and design work. She joined NWA in January 2021.
Maureen has a Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Women's Studies from Hollins University. She is passionate about women's health, public health, and economic mobility.
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.
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
Paul Throne, WA, Chair Emeritus
Amanda Hovis, TX, Treasurer
Samar McGregor, CA, Secretary
Georgia Machell, Interim President/CEO
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 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
Marilyn Lonczak, CT, Northeast
Nicole Hungerford, MT, Mountain Plains
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
State Directors Section Standing Committee
TBD, Southeast
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
TBD, Northeast
Kimberly Stanek, IA, Midwest
Amanda Varriano, ND, Mountain Plains
Nutrition Services Section Standing Committee
Aimee Duncan, MT, Mountain Plains
Jennifer Goldbronn, CA, Western
Rebecca Gruenes, MN, Midwest
Angela Hammond-Damon, GA, Southeast
Gillian MacKinnon, VT, Northeast
Crystal N. Hurley, DE, Mid-Atlantic
Melody Shrank, Chickasaw Nation (OK), Southwest, Section Standing Committee Chair
Vendor Manager Section Standing Committee
Kelli Darland, KY, Southeast
Andrea Miller, VT, Northeast
Allen Esparza, WA, Western
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Tropicana Brands Group seeks to support the advancement of nutrition education and food equity by engaging with health and nutrition care providers who work with WIC participants and others experiencing nutrition insecurity. As a member of the NWA Business Council, we’re committed to serving NWA members by providing continuing education opportunities, evidence-based nutrition research, and determining accessible ways to deliver affordable nutrition to families.
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.
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.
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
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
Danielle Hardges, At-Large
Todd Kirkpatrick, At-Large
Lindsay Pollins Wild, 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 National Office 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, At-Large
TBD, NWA Section Liaison
Ashley Alexander, NWA Meeting Planner and National Office 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 National Office Liaison
TBD, 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 National Office Liaison
Angela Hammond-Damon, NWA Section Liaison
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
This committee provides feedback and recommendations:
LaShonna Thompson
Leann Lopez, At-Large
Lela Stapler, At-Large
Vacant, Secretary
Vacant, At-Large
Vacant, At-Large
Vacant, At-Large
Vacant, At-Large
Vacant, At-Large
Vacant, At-Large
Vacant, At-Large
Vacant, At-Large
TBD, NWA Participant Advisory Council Member
LaKeisha Davis, NWA Section Liaison
Stacy Davis, NWA National Office 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
Michaela Phillips, Member
Sarah Younker, Member
Vacant, Member
Vacant, Researcher
Vacant, Researcher
Joanne Guthrie, USDA-ERS Partner
Ruth Morgan, USDA-FNS Partner
Leslie Hodges, USDA-ERS Partner
Amanda Hovis, NWA Section Liaison
Christina Chauvenet, PhD, NWA National Office 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
Rhonda Skelton, Member
Katie Chou, Member
Lorie Brendecke, Member
Britney Zwergel, Member
Vacant, Member
Vacant, Member
Vacant, Member
Vacant, Member
Vacant, Researcher
Vacant, Researcher
Christina Chauvenet, NWA National Office 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 National Office 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 National Office Liaison
Jennifer Nicklas, NWA Section Liaison
WIC Hub Committee
This committee has the following primary functions:
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
TBD, NWA Section Liaison
WIC Workforce Development Committee
This committee:
Phoebe McDermott, Co-Chair
Susan Wnuk, Co-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 National Office
TBD, NWA Section Liaison
Infant Mortality in WIC Task Force
This task force examines available research regarding WIC participation and infant mortality to identify best practices for addressing the issue while analyzing methods to reduce the incidence of infant mortality in WIC.
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
Darlena Birch, NWA National Office Liaison
TBD, NWA Section Liaison
Maternal Mortality in WIC Task Force
This task force examines available research regarding WIC participation and maternal mortality to identify best practices for addressing the issue while analyzing methods to reduce the incidence of maternal mortality in WIC.
Sheryl Pickering, Chair
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 National Office Liaison
TBD, 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 National Office Liaison
TBD, NWA Section Liaison
