MEET THE TEAM
Service on the Executive Committee is open to all members. Positions are held for two years. Members vote each May for Chair and Treasurer (odd years) and Chair-Elect and Secretary (even years).
Amanda Alvarez, MS, IBCLC
CHAIR
Shaina Starks-Solis, MPH, CPH
TREASURER
Denisse Mejia, BAAS, CDA, IBCLC
SECRETARY
African American and Hispanic Breastfeeding Task Forces
Meghan McClesky
CHAIR-ELECT
Amanda Alvarez, MS, IBCLC
Chair
Amanda is an IBCLC dedicated to helping families achieve informed, safe and comfortable infant feeding.
Amanda’s professional experience includes program development, support group facilitation, curriculum production, perinatal bereavement training, health care provider, parent education, and clinical lactation support. She has worked in milk banking, community health clinics, hospital systems, and nonprofit health advocacy organizations. Amanda staffs an outpatient lactation clinic at Midwife + Co and manages a multi-site Baby Café program for Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas.
Amanda has served in leadership roles with the Tarrant County Breastfeeding Coalition, Dallas Lactation Consultant Association, and the United States Breastfeeding Committee. She is a graduate of the University of South Alabama (MS, Health Education) and Spring Hill College (BA, Communication). She lives with her husband and three children in Grapevine, TX. Amanda enjoys exercise, travel, and volunteer work in social justice.
Meghan McCleskey, BA, CLC, IBCLC
Chair-Elect
Shaina Starks-Solis, MPH, CPH
Treasurer
Shaina began her career with Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas in 2010. As Director of Operations for five years, she supervised specialized laboratory processes and complex safety guidelines to fulfill the organization’s mission. During her tenure, the milk bank has experienced significant growth, expanded services and launched new community programs.
Shaina received her Master of Public Health from the University of North Texas Health Science Center and Bachelor of Health Studies from Texas Women’s University. She has contributed to multiple human milk research projects including a study examining the duration of microbiological purity of pasteurized donor milk.
Shaina is very passionate about improving community services, supporting breastfeeding mothers and leading one of the largest dispensing nonprofit milk banks in North America. She lives in Fort Worth with her husband, Juan and young son, Noah.
Denisse Mejia, BAAS, CDA, IBCLC
Secretary
Denisse is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and founder of Texas Breastfeeding Center, providing evidence-based, compassionate lactation care to families throughout Texas. A native Spanish speaker and bilingual provider, she is especially passionate about improving access to culturally responsive care and resources for Spanish-speaking and underserved families.
Her passion for breastfeeding support has deep roots—Denisse grew up with a mother who worked in lactation, introducing her to breastfeeding education from an early age. Her own experiences with motherhood and breastfeeding further shaped her desire to help families feel informed, represented, and empowered.
Outside of lactation, Denisse is a wife and proud girl mom who loves spending time with her family and enjoying the outdoors. She’s happiest near the water—whether that’s sand between her toes and waves crashing along the shore or simply a good walk outside with fresh air and a beautiful view. She also enjoys creating, entrepreneurship, and finding meaningful ways to connect with and uplift her community.
Denisse is honored to serve as Secretary of TCoBCo and support its mission of strengthening connections among families, professionals, and community organizations throughout Tarrant County.
African American and Hispanic Breastfeeding Task Forces
Workgroups that identify, plan, and participate in community events. To join either task force, please email us with your name, contact info, and the group you are interested in working with. A volunteer from that task force will follow-up and let you know how you can get more involved.
