The Grand Conference 2026

Topics for Day 1: May 25th, 2026

Dr. Robert Boyle, MBChB, MRCPCH, PhD (England)

 

Robert Boyle is a children’s allergy specialist, educator and researcher based at Imperial College London in the UK. He trained at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, where his PhD work investigated nutritional interventions for preventing the development of eczema. He continues to work on better approaches to preventing the development of allergic conditions in early childhood, but has also developed a programme of work which challenges nutrition industry practices that undermine child health. His research work has led to changes in infant feeding guidelines and practice and to the withdrawal of infant formula health claims around allergy prevention. He has acted as advisor or consultant to several governmental and inter-governmental organizations regarding infant feeding issues, and acted as an expert witness in two US class actions against an infant nutrition company.

Conferences

1- Allergy in infants

2- Allergy versus public health

 

Dr. Anne Eglash, MD, NABBLM-C, IBCLC, FABM (USA)

 

Anne Eglash MD, NABBLM-C, IBCLC, FABM, is a clinical professor with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, in the Department of Family and Community Medicine.  In addition to family medicine, she has been practicing breastfeeding and lactation medicine since 1994. 

Dr. Eglash is a cofounder of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, the Medical Director and cofounder of the Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes, and the Medical Director of the University of Wisconsin Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine Clinic. She has published many peer- reviewed articles on breastfeeding medicine and is a past associate editor for Breastfeeding Medicine Journal.

Dr. Eglash is founder and president of The Institute for the Advancement of Breastfeeding and Lactation Education (IABLE), as well as a cofounder, inaugural president, and immediate past-president of the North American Board of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine.

Conferences

1- Secretory activation

2- Fortification of Breastmilk for the NICU Graduate

 

Topics for Day 2: May 26th, 2026

Dr. Shela Hirani, PhD, MScN, BScN, RN, IBCLC, FAAN (Canada)

 

Dr Shela Hirani, PhD, MScN, BScN, RN, IBCLC, FAAN is a Full Professor at the University of Regina (Canada), Founding Director of the Breastfeeding Advocacy Research Lab, and Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. She is a neonatal, maternal and child health expert, researcher, lactation consultant and an advocate of baby-friendly initiatives. Dr Hirani’s breastfeeding advocacy in Canada and beyond has promoted breastfeeding, dismantled breastfeeding barriers, led to a baby-friendly movement, and informed programs, policies and practices in diverse care settings, including hospitals, disaster zones, educational institutions, workplaces and public spaces. Her breastfeeding advocacy and impactful policyshaping research has advanced health equity for marginalized mothers and infants, supporting over 300,000 families globally. 

Based on her contributions, the World Health Organization recognized her as one of the 100 outstanding women nurses around the world in 2020. Dr Hirani received over 50 honors recognizing her work, including WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Award Winner [in the Category of Community Impact], the King Charles III Coronation Medal from the Canadian Nurses Association, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal from the Government of Saskatchewan, Multicultural Leadership Award from the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, YWCA Women of distinction award, and Sigma Nursing’s Emerging Researcher Award.  

She is an elected board member of reputable international, national, and provincial organizations. She is serving as an editorial board member of the reputable global health journals. Dr Hirani’s breastfeeding advocacy efforts worldwide led to her appointment as a Board Member and Regional Director for the EMediterranean Region for the Council of International Neonatal Nurses (COINN), Working Group Member on World Health Organization’s Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE), and Core Group Member for Emergency Nutrition Network’s Infant Feeding in Emergencies (IFE). Through these representations, she is advocating for the rights and needs of breastfeeding mothers that are informing equitable and inclusive breastfeeding policies and practices. Dr Hirani is also committed to providing quality mentorship to the next generation of leaders in breastfeeding advocacy.

Conferences

1- Housing insecurity and breastfeeding barriers of migrant mothers in Canada

2- Supporting breastfeeding practices of refugee and migrant mothers in Canada

 

Christine Staricka, BSc, IBCLC, CLSP, CE, FILCA (USA)

 

Christine Staricka is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, health writer, and trained childbirth educator. 

Christine is the author of the book Evolving the Modern Breastfeeding Experience: Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours. 

Christine has over 24 years of experience providing clinical lactation care in a wide variety of settings, and she writes a blog and hosts a podcast, both under the name Evolve Lactation. 

Christine is a Fellow of the International Lactation Consultant Association. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Phoenix.  She has been married for 31 years, lives in California, and is the proud mother of 3 amazing daughters.

You can find more information about Christine and access free resources and downloads at www.ChristineStaricka.com. 

Conferences

1- Making More With Less: Optimizing Milk Production While Minimizing the Use of Tools and Devices

2- Ongoing Breastfeeding Support Without Frenotomy

 

*The recording will be available within 2 weeks after the event for registrants only.