Our Mission:

The Port City Breastfeeding Project is a local grassroots organization consisting of parents and perinatal professionals who are dedicated to supporting and normalizing breastfeeding throughout Wilmington and the surrounding areas. We believe public health begins with breastfeeding and strive to help new parents achieve their desired goal through public awareness, education, and establishing community support. PCBP is known for projects and events such as Ban the Bags Project, The Big Latch On, educational movie screenings, Breastfeeding photo shoots and much more! This group signifies the amount of support it takes for families to raise their little ones.

“Mothers don’t fail to breastfeed. Communities fail to support women. It takes community to support a nursing mother.”-Susan Johnson

Current Board

Wendy Mateos MA, Chair (2021-)

Wendy Mateos is originally from Aberdeen, NC, but has lived and traveled all over the world. She believes that, the ability to view the U.S. from another country has transformed her perspective on people; she says, “ humans are amazingly resilient with the support of family and community”.

Wendy studied Elementary Education and she has a Master’s in English as a Second Language. She struggled to breastfeed and knew she needed a community to teach, guide and love her through the toughest season in her life and as a working mother. This is how she became a La Leche League leader. Her goal is for parents to reach out and let PCBP know how it can better support its community!

Olivia Rice IBCLC, Treasure (2021-)

Olivia is the former Chair of the Port City Breastfeeding Project. She continues to support and participate in the local breastfeeding community with her work in Chocolate Milk of Wilmington and La Leche League. Her eagerness for helping families has only intensified after the birth of her third child. She still enjoys cooking, yoga and the beach, however she is learning to put less on her plate and focus more on the things that really matter.

Rachael Birkenhauer, IBCLC, CLC, Secretary (2020-)

Rachael Birkenhauser is a InternationalBoard Certified Lactation Consultant & Certified Lactation Counselor. She runs her own private practice, Lactation Counseling Services, locally. Rachael has been a La Leche League leader for years in Wilmington and co-leads at the downtown meeting. Her expertise in lactation, organization and computer skills has made her an invaluable asset to Port City Breastfeeding Project. Rachael is married with 2 children. She enjoys coffee, Fit4Mom classes and outings with her family.

Past Board

Olivia Rice, Chair (2019-2021)

Olivia, originally from San Diego assumed the role of Port City Breastfeeding Project Chair in February, 2019. Olivia comes to PCBP with a wealth of knowledge from her roles as an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant, La Leche League Leche League Leader and founder of Chocolate Milk of Wilmington. She is married with two daughters and has lived in Wilmington for six years. In her free time she enjoys cooking, yoga, spending time with family and her dog at the beach.

Courtney Floyd, Treasurer (2020-2021)

Courtney Floyd has worn many hats in the community. She has been the WIC peer counselor, involved in Tri-County Breastfeeding Coalition and Chocolate Milk of Wilmington. Courtney is currently a Perinatal Community Health Worker in Health Equity at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Her passion for breastfeeding and helping parents is what brought her to Port City Breastfeeding Project. Courtney has 3 children, including twins whom she just weaned! She enjoys spending time with her family, walks outside and listening to music.

Lindsey Hurd Reeves, MS, RD, LDN, IBCLC, CD(DONA)
(PCBP, co-chair)

Lindsey is a Registered Dietitian (RD), International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), and owner of Angel Food Lactation & Nutrition. With prevention, awareness, and guidance as key components in her work, Lindsey has a passion for educating families and those who care for them. Her primary goal is to provide the tools necessary to find the perfect balance of health and happiness through individual consultations and group classes. Her mission is to help the port city, “Grow Healthy Families, One Ounce At A Time!”

Machelle Williams (PCBP, co-chair)

Machelle is a breastfeeding peer counselor at our local hospital. She is passionate about helping working moms continue to breastfeed. In her spare time she enjoys knitting. She has a daughter, EJ, and breastfeeding into toddlerhood would not have been possible without the support of her wife.