COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP COORDINATOR

Rachel Romero, IBCLC

Rachel’s path into maternal and child health began as a young mom, when the support she received as a WIC participant inspired her to pursue a career helping other families reach their goals. That early experience fueled her lifelong passion for breastfeeding equity and her belief in the power of community. She is dedicated to building strong partnerships and creating supportive networks that empower parents to thrive, no matter what their journey looks like.

As Coffective’s Community Partnership Coordinator, Rachel strengthens relationships with WIC agencies, public health departments, and community-based organizations. She provides technical assistance, co-develops resources, and helps partners align programs around shared goals for equitable outcomes. She especially enjoys serving as a connector across systems, ensuring families receive the coordinated support they deserve.

Rachel brings over a decade of experience leading WIC breastfeeding programs in Florida and Maryland, where she supervised peer counselors, provided lactation care, and collaborated with hospitals and community organizations to improve outcomes in diverse communities. She is also known in the lactation field as a collaborative leader, passionate WIC advocate, and mentor who supports the growth of new professionals in the field.

Beyond Coffective, Rachel serves as IBCLC Representative and Scholarship Co-Chair with the Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition, helping expand access to lactation careers and organize statewide education initiatives. She also contributes nationally as a Community Health Assistant with the University of Minnesota’s WIC Professional Opportunities for Paraprofessional Staff (WIC POPS) project, which strengthens and sustains the WIC paraprofessional workforce through research, training, and collaborative initiatives.

Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science in Maternal and Child Health from National Louis University, with a focus on lactation and health disparities. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree.

Rachel lives in Maryland with her husband, three sons, and three dogs. One of six children and an identical twin, she treasures family time, often centered around food – whether cooking together or trying new flavors on food-filled trips. Along with rewatching classics like Terminator and Alien with her family, Rachel also enjoys winding down with true crime stories.