Ann Calandro, RN, IBCLC

I am an RN who spent five years in the US ARMY NURSE CORPS as a pediatric nurse. I married my husband Jim whom I met in the Army in El Paso, Texas, in 1974. Our first child was born in 1976. I sought help from LLL in New Jersey and was so impressed that I became a Leader in 1977. I breastfed all four of my children for several years, and my six grandchildren have also been breastfed successfully. I am still an active Leader in North Carolina, USA. I love the mother to mother aspect of LLL. I have served on the LLLI Board of Directors and have been Chair of the LLLI Board, as well as a short time as interim Executive Director in 2014.

I became an IBCLC in 1989 and have worked mainly in hospitals and with my private practice. I really love working with mothers and babies. Working to help my last hospital achieve the Baby Friendly status last year was amazing!

I served on the IBLCE Board of Directors for 6 years as well. I found writing the 7 exams I was involved with very interesting. Item writing is definitely a skill. Becoming a Fellow of the ILCA makes me very proud of my lactation consulting career.