Jennifer Duckles, RN, IBCLC
Co-founder of South Jersey Breastfeeding & The Village
​
"I found The Village almost 3 years ago with my firstborn when I needed to see a lactation consultant. I worked with Jen at that time and went to the weekly meet-ups almost every week of my maternity leave. Now with my second child breastfeeding had been going well but I recently encountered some difficulties. I got to work with Jen again and she has given me great feedback and advice - she was able to sort through my ramblings about all the many different things going on with my daughter and give me a clear plan. I am so glad I finally made the appointment and I know I can reach out to her with any questions/concerns/updates! Everyone at The Village is welcoming, friendly, and supportive. It truly is a great place, and I definitely wouldn't go anywhere else for lactation consults!" -MS
Jennifer Duckles is a Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Policy and Administration from Penn State University in 1998 and began working as a Maternal/Child and HIV Health Educator at a health center in Boston. In 2004 she completed a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing at Drexel University. Following completion of this program, she spent the first 5 years of her nursing career as a bedside nurse at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital working on a Gynecology/Oncology Medical/Surgical Floor. After having her first child in 2007 she was greatly impacted by both the challenges and rewards the transition into motherhood created and decided to pursue a career in lactation.
​
In 2010 after the birth of her second child she became a IBCLC and began working at Pennsylvania Hospital on the postpartum units in addition to time to the Intensive Care Nursery and Labor and Delivery unit from 2010-2014. In 2013 she and Avery opened South Jersey Breastfeeding Center in Haddon Township. When South Jersey Breastfeeding began to grow into more than breastfeeding services, they joined with a few other community partners and in 2016 opened what is now The Village in Collingswood. She also added a third baby to her family and was grateful to also attend all of the prenatal and mom/baby classes that The Village had to offer. She is honored to work with families everyday during this life-changing time and is grateful to have the opportunity to make a difference.
Avery Giordano, IBCLC
Co-founder of South Jersey Breastfeeding & The Village
​
"I am so grateful for The Village. I was feeling so defeated when I was having difficulty with breastfeeding and my son was not gaining weight, but things improved practically overnight after my lactation consultation with Avery. I am so thankful for her knowledge and expertise. I have also attended the breastfeeding support group and recently did a 3-week series about tummy time. The Village has been invaluable to me as a new mom." -JL
Avery Giordano is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She graduated from The University of Connecticut with a Bachelor's Degree in Health & Human Development in 2000. She began working as an Early Intervention Specialist for a grant funded hospital program for at-risk families. The program received a grant for infant nutrition and Avery had the opportunity to become a Certified Lactation Counselor. Avery became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in 2007 and has been supporting moms ever since. Avery had the unique opportunity to hone her skills and knowledge while working in a busy labor and delivery unit, Level 3 NICU, and out patient breastfeeding clinic at one of Las Vegas' busiest birthing hospitals.
​
In 2011, Avery and her family relocated to the South Jersey area and she began working on the Breastfeeding Friendly Philadelphia Project, a grant funded program to improve maternity care and breastfeeding support in Philadelphia hospitals. Avery then joined the lactation team at Pennsylvania Hospital providing in-patient breastfeeding support on the postpartum unit (2012-2014), as well as being a preceptor for the Lactation Internship Program. In 2013, Avery and Jen opened South Jersey Breastfeeding Center together in Haddon Township. The breastfeeding business began to grow into more of wellness center supporting pregnant and parenting families, so in 2016 they opened The Village, now in Collingswood. Having breastfed her own 3 sons, Avery knows first hand the challenges that can arise along the breastfeeding journey and is excited to have the opportunity to support breastfeeding families in the South Jersey Area.
Elizabeth Schweizer, IBCLC
Joined South Jersey Breastfeeding in 2018
​
"Elizabeth is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. She knew exactly how to support me and provide me with information in a sensitive way. She not only consulted with me but was available with feedback anytime I needed it and welcomed follow up questions. She was genuinely invested in the success and well being of my baby and myself. I am so thankful for everything she has helped me learn." -RJ
Elizabeth Schweizer is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She began her professional career with a brief stint in the field of publishing at Elsevier. Elizabeth gave birth to her first child in 2006 and her second child in 2009 and experienced first-hand the joys and challenges of transitioning to motherhood. It was her experiences with her own children that channeled her passion for helping women into a desire to support moms on their breastfeeding journeys. In 2011 she volunteered with the Greater Philadelphia Health Action providing prenatal breastfeeding education at the Woodland Avenue clinic in West Philadelphia. She also began working as a community-based postpartum doula with the Pettaway Pursuit Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides postpartum support to underserved women.
​
She became certified as an IBCLC in 2014 and worked at WIC in Camden for the next 4 years. She also worked at Center City Pediatrics in Philadelphia for 2 years in addition to Pennsylvania Hospital where she continues to work with families in the outpatient clinic. She joined South Jersey Breastfeeding at The Village in 2018 and has enjoyed being part of this team of lactation professionals. Elizabeth is continually humbled and honored by the families who allow her to come alongside them during such a pivotal, wondrous, and often vulnerable time. She values being a part of the community at the Village and serving the families of South Jersey.
Laura Marozzi, IBCLC
Joined South Jersey Breastfeeding in 2019
​
"I made an appointment because I was overwhelmed by all the info on the internet and couldn’t find answers to my specific questions. I thought I didn’t need a full consultation appointment, but I’m so glad I had one. Laura is so knowledgeable about all things related to nursing. I learned so much, got practical tips and things to work on at home and just felt supported all around. I highly recommend anyone who has any questions to make an appointment. Even if it seems like small issue and everyone (non-lactation consultants) tells you it’s fine, you’ll be much happier to figure out what’s going on and maybe make things better than fine!" -MS
Laura is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Drexel University in 2009. While she worked in collegiate undergraduate admissions and marketing, she earned a Masters in Communication in 2012, also from Drexel. In 2015, Laura gave birth to her first son and was faced with many breastfeeding challenges. As a new mother, she quickly discovered the need for compassionate lactation support, care, and education during the postpartum transition to parenthood. Through her experience, she discovered her own unrelenting passion for giving new parents the support that they want and confidence they need to feed their babies how they choose.
Laura began her pursuit of clinical lactation education and gave birth to another son in 2016 and a daughter in 2018. In 2017 she began working at Pennsylvania Hospital supporting breastfeeding families. She completed a certificate in Human Lactation from Drexel University and became an IBCLC in 2018. She loved the idea of supporting families as part of a team of IBCLCs, so she joined South Jersey Breastfeeding at The Village in 2019.
Sarah Hastings, IBCLC
Joined South Jersey Breastfeeding in 2021
Sarah was incredible! She listened to all I had to say about me and my breastfeeding journey so far! I will continue coming back and working with The Village for support!
Sarah is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Virginia (1998) and a Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University (2006). A mother of three, Sarah began her own breastfeeding journey following the birth of her first child in 2008. The support she received from IBCLCs during the early, difficult weeks of her breastfeeding experiences shaped her desire to help others.
​
Sarah’s background in counseling serves as a strong foundation for her lactation practice. She brings a passion for postpartum wellness and an awareness of the importance of individualized breastfeeding/feeding support. Following clinical internships with South Jersey Breastfeeding at The Village and Temple University Hospital, Sarah joined the South Jersey Breastfeeding team in 2022. When not in lactation consults, you will findSarah leading our weekly meet-up and support groups.
Jordana Walka, IBCLC
Joined South Jersey Breastfeeding in 2021
"...I had heard about The Village through word of mouth, but my pediatrician also recommended them at baby's first check to help address our wants/needs. I went online and booked an appointment for the next morning for someone to come to me as I couldn't drive a life saver for both convenience and availability. Jordana came out to my house, right on time, and helped me not only figure out breastfeeding, but specifically how to breastfeed MY child. She made the most of the time we had together and answered all of my questions without any judgement, just the desire to teach and help a stressed out new mom. I can't recommend The Village enough for lactation support, and I honestly wish I had taken some classes prior to my child arriving. -LV
Jordana is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Rhode Island (2009). A mother of three, Jordana started her own breastfeeding journey following the birth of her first child in 2016. She welcomed a set of twins in 2019, which required support and guidance of an IBCLC. From her trials and successes with breastfeeding, she found a passion to want to help others on their journey.
​
Jordana has completed clinical internships at South Jersey Breastfeeding at The Village and Temple University Hospital. She has a passion to help women confidently feed their babies how they choose. Jordana is very excited to have the opportunity to help serve and support families in the South Jersey area.
Tamar Oded, IBCLC
Joined South Jersey Breastfeeding in 2022
I was surprised to find myself struggling to breastfeed my third child. Tamar came to do a home visit with me and my baby. She honed in immediately on the issue with a truly holistic approach, and gave thorough and practical advice to remedy the problem. After one visit with her I had no further difficulty. I appreciated the ability to ask follow up questions on their private forum and I was provided with all of the information from the session in writing.
I highly recommend Tamar! -TD
Tamar Oded is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She holds a BM in early music performance from Indiana University and a MS in Arts Administration from Drexel University. Following clinical internships with South Jersey Breastfeeding at The Village and Temple University Hospital, Tamar joined the South Jersey Breastfeeding team in 2022.
Tamar is a mother of three who has spent the last 20 years as a nonprofit professional while studying and teaching her passions on the side. She believes strongly in the healing power of plants, food, movement, and the environment, and has studied folk herbalism since 2014 and yoga since 1995. Tamar has also worked as a postpartum doula and childbirth educator, and teaches The Village's Path to Parenthood classes.