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Board of Directors
Heather Batman, MS, OTR, BCP, CNT, NTMTC
Heather Batman, MS, OTR, BCP, CNT, NTMTC is an advanced board certified pediatric occupational therapist and certified neonatal therapist with 22 years of expertise in feeding, swallowing, and tiny baby development. As a member of the board of directors for organizations focused on preemie support, she is dedicated to promoting positive feeding and developmental outcomes, while also helping families regain their essential role as their baby's parent.
Earl Bender, Jr. MBID
As a fellow preemie born at 26 gestational weeks, I faced significant challenges after being diagnosed with a Grade IV IVH shortly after birth. With the support of neonatal therapy and preemie support networks, I have thrived and am now proud to be an alumnus of the Georgia Institute of Technology and The Tuskegee University, where I aspire to serve on the board of directors for organizations that support preemie families.
Latoya Blueford
Latoya Blueford is the Founder and Director of The Skylar Project, a 501(c)3 nonprofit focused on NICU and bereavement support. A child-loss-survivor and former NICU mother, she is also a Certified Pregnancy and Infant Loss Advocate, Postpartum Doula, NICU advocate, and legislative partner for the Shine-for-Autumn Act at the state level. Latoya has served as a former Rape Crisis Advocate through Lifelines Counseling Services and is a valued member of the board of directors for the Alliance for Black NICU families. Her mission is to innovate and implement effective strategies for neonatal therapy and preemie support, all while helping NICU families gently process their trauma.
Corneliu Bolbocean, PhD
Dr. Bolbocean, PhD, is an academic economist with international training, having pursued my academic journey across the USA, Canada, and the UK. My current research focuses on examining the long-term economic implications of preterm birth and its impact on caregivers, a critical area of study that can inform the board of directors in healthcare organizations. Recently, I have authored publications that appeared in top-quality journals, including PharmacoEconomics, Quality of Life Research, Food Policy, and Autism Research, all of which contribute to understanding neonatal therapy and the importance of preemie support.
Katie Reginato Cascamo Ph.D. Candidate
Katie Reginato Cascamo is a Ph.D. Candidate whose scholarship resides at the intersection of interior leadership development and organizational transformation, with a primary focus on NICU Parent Leadership and the emergence of patient and parent advocacy within healthcare systems, particularly in relation to neonatal therapy and preemie support.
Her research originates from her own NICU experience in 2009–2010, which became the crucible for her strongest scholarly and organizational commitments. With over two decades of cross-disciplinary work — including pre-med studies, communications, philosophy, and organizational development — she analyzes the conditions that enable human beings and institutions, including boards of directors, to operate at their highest potential. As a scholar, speaker, and servant-leader, she perceives transformation not as an imposition, but as a process that must be accompanied by patience, presence, and care.
Jane Cranston, OTR-MOT, BCP, CNT, NTMTC
Jane Cranston, OTR-MOT, BCP, CNT, NTMTC, is a board-certified pediatric and nationally certified neonatal occupational therapist with over 25 years of experience supporting high-risk infants, including preemie support, and their families across the NICU, early intervention, and home-based care.
As the founder and owner of Tiny Transitions Therapy Consulting PLLC, Jane provides developmental therapy, caregiver coaching, and transition-to-home support for medically complex infants.
Additionally, she serves as the University and Student Liaison for the National Association of Neonatal Therapists (NANT) and is a member of the board of directors, where she emphasizes mentorship, education, and expanding representation in neonatal therapy. Her work prioritizes neuroprotective, trauma-informed, family-centered care, strengthening parent confidence and promoting positive developmental outcomes. Furthermore, Jane's personal experience as a parent of a child with special needs enriches her advocacy and empathy within the NICU community.
Wakako M Eklund , NNP
Wakako is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner with 22 years of experience, dedicated to neonatal therapy and passionate about educating families navigating the NICU. As a partner to patients and their families, she has made an international impact with her enthusiasm for education. Wakako is highly committed to making educational materials visually effective while delivering the essential content. One of her strengths lies in sharing stories to simplify complex information, enhancing preemie support. She considers it an honor to serve on the board of directors of this exceptional organization.
Dr. Gerri Baer
I am a neonatologist and pediatrician dedicated to enhancing the lives of children. After 8 years of providing neonatal therapy and support for families in a level 3 NICU, I joined the FDA, where I advocated for improved medical product development for neonates. Currently, I am continuing these efforts as a pediatric and regulatory strategy lead at Thermo Fisher Scientific / PPD, while also serving on the board of directors for organizations that focus on preemie support.
Carole Kenner | Global Nursing Leader
Dr. Carole Kenner is the Carol Kuser Loser Dean & Professor at The College of New Jersey School of Nursing & Health Sciences. She serves on the board of directors for the Council of International Neonatal Nurses, Inc. (COINN), which she also founded and currently leads as CEO. Dr. Kenner holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in neonatal/perinatal nursing, and a doctorate with a minor in higher education. She has authored nearly 200 journal articles and 40 textbooks, contributing significantly to the field of neonatal therapy and preemie support.
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Jeffrey J. Lefko
Jeff is the founder of Jeff Lefko Books, which combines a career in healthcare management with a passion for writing engaging and thoughtful children’s stories. The publishing imprint focuses on developing children’s stories that serve as vehicles for jumpstarting healthcare initiatives and delivering valuable public health information for children and their parents, including critical resources for preemie support. In addition to his publishing efforts, Jeff serves on the board of directors as a Founding Member and Vice President of the Books for Healing Partnership, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to creating patient education materials in the form of a children’s story, with an emphasis on neonatal therapy.
Dr. Susan McCune
Dr. Susan McCune, VP of Pediatrics & Clinical Pharmacology at PPD, a Thermo Fisher Scientific group, previously served as the Director of the Office of Pediatric Therapeutics at the FDA. With a solid academic foundation from Harvard, where she completed her undergraduate degree, and her MD from GWU, Dr. McCune underwent training at Children's National Medical Center (CNMC). She is Board Certified in Pediatrics and Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine, and has extensive experience in academic medicine at Johns Hopkins and CNMC, including research focused on neonatal therapy at NICHD, before joining the FDA. Her expertise also aligns with her active role on the Board of Directors in initiatives that support preemie support, further advocating for advancements in care for vulnerable populations.
Ashley O'Neil, CRNP
Ashley O’Neil, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C, is a Family Nurse Practitioner, NICU mom, author, widow, and bereaved mother dedicated to supporting families through the challenges of NICU life and beyond. She is the Founder of It’s a NICU World and The O’Neil Foundation for Healing, and the host of the Ask a NICU Mama podcast, where she creates space for honest conversations about maternal mental health, grief, resilience, and healing. Ashley also serves on the board of directors for organizations promoting neonatal therapy, emphasizing the importance of preemie support for families during these critical times.
Drawing from both her clinical expertise and personal experiences, Ashley brings a compassionate, family-centered perspective to her work. Through advocacy, education, and storytelling, she is committed to advancing trauma-informed, equitable support for NICU families, bereaved parents, widows, and caregivers of children with complex medical needs. Her mission is to ensure that no family feels alone in their journey and to remind others that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope.