Melanie Hutton is a dedicated advocate for maternal and infant health, committed to addressing disparities in Black birth outcomes. A Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and 2025 IBCLC candidate, she has been supporting birth-givers since 2009.

She began her career as a WIC Peer Counselor and later became the first and only Breastfeeding Program Coordinator under New Jersey’s Nurture NJ grant, spearheaded by NJ First Lady Tammy Murphy. In this role, she worked on state-level initiatives to improve breastfeeding support and reduce health disparities. During this time, she met and was mentored by Dr. Nastassia K. Harris, which deepened her commitment to equitable care.

Realizing she had found her purpose and community, Melanie joined PHEI in 2022, where she continues to thrive in supporting families with culturally specific lactation education and advocacy.

A graduate of Central Christian College of Kansas (AA) and a 2022 APHA presenter, Melanie contributes to public health conversations on a national scale. Beyond her professional work, she serves as a Boy Scouts Den Mother, podcast speaker, animal shelter volunteer, and freelance writer for Everything Jersey City.

She remains committed to meeting parents where they are and empowering them to reach their lactation goals.

“I do my best because I am counting on you counting on me.” – Maya Angelou

Email: melanie@perinatalequity.org