Deborah C. Youngblood, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Deborah brings 20 years of leadership and service in nonprofit and government sectors to her role. Her experience in public health, family services, and strategic planning all influence her stewardship of this critical organization. She has published a book and many articles on how to best support families. She was a milk donor when her children were babies and also brings that experience to bear on her work. Deb loves spending time with her husband and their three sons who are frighteningly close to becoming adults (but not there yet!). She also loves hiking with friends and her dog and then rewarding herself with delicious food.
Venette T. Maurice
CBS, Director of Donor Screening & Engagement
Venette came to the milk bank through her passion in public health and health access. She brings her experience as a birth/postpartum doula, certified breastfeeding specialist, and public health advocate, to her role as the Director of Donor Screening & Engagement. With a combined 10 years in the public health & nonprofit sectors she’s worked with families, individuals with complex health conditions, and folks of all identities and/or orientations. Venette and the donor screening team offer kind guidance to donors going through our screening process to donate their liquid gold. Outside of work Venette is a foodie, a plant mom, and loves getting lost in a good book or a traveling adventure.
Kylia Garver, MPH
Chief Operating Officer
Kylia earned her Master of Public Health Degree at Boston University with a concentration in Maternal Child Health. Her expertise plays an integral role in the milk bank’s success as she builds partnerships with a wide range of medical personnel, conducts educational trainings and supports both families and clinical staff who have questions about donor milk. Prior to joining Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast, Kylia spent most of her career in the private sector at a medical device company. She transitioned to the non-profit world to fulfill her dream of working full-time in a maternal child health organization. In her free time, Kylia enjoys group fitness classes, baking and planning family adventures.
Jane Norris
Director of Finance and Administration
Jane brings over twenty years of experience in accounting and office management. In those years she worked as a bookkeeper, office manager and an auditor. Originally hired at the milk bank as an office manager, Jane used her financial skills and attention to operational systems and detail to help the organization grow and move forward. Outside of the office she enjoys spending time with her golden retriever, Roxie, and her extended family.
Kate Atkinson Kaplan
Director of Development
Kate brings over 20 years of fundraising, constituent relations and nonprofit management experience. Her most recent position was the Director of Development and Alumni Relations at Brandeis University’s Heller School, where she strengthened relationships with key donors and friends, meaningfully increased engagement with alumni, and grew the fundraising program. She has also held chief advancement officer roles at the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and at the Two Ten Footwear Foundation in Waltham. Her career has spanned the nonprofit, consulting and higher-education sectors, including positions at Tufts University, where she was president of the 100,000-member alumni association and where she continues to serve on the board of trustees. Outside of work, Kate enjoys long walks by the ocean and studying taiko drumming.
