Lisa Akers, PhD, RDN, IBCLC, RLC, FAND, has been working in the field of public health and human lactation for nearly 20 years where she spent nearly 15 of those years with the Virginia WIC Program prior to obtaining her doctorate. Lisa is currently the Program Chair for the Bachelor of Science in Maternal Child Health: Human Lactation, the Master of Arts in Health and Wellness, the Master of Arts in Human Lactation Studies, and the Master of Arts in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics Programs at Union Institute and University. The focus of her current research is on organizational leadership as one of the many factors that influence quality perinatal care and breastfeeding outcomes.

Lisa is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (FAND), and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Lisa has served on numerous national and international boards and committees including the Women’s Health Dietetic Practice Group (WH DPG) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC), and the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA). Aside from her background in human lactation and nutrition, Lisa’s expertise in nonprofit leadership has afforded her the opportunity to work as a consultant with numerous organizations in areas such as change management, fundraising, governance, grant writing, program evaluation, and strategic planning.