Directors
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Peter Allen - Do Good Diapers (Diaper Service) - Term expires 2013
Peter Allen founded Do Good Diapers with his wife Kathy in 2008 after looking for a cloth diaper service in the Twin Cities and not being able to find one. Since starting Do Good Diapers, Peter has made it his goal to have every new parent consider using cloth diapers. He has been active in promoting cloth diapering by giving interviews on cloth diapering to local television news stations, radio and newspapers and partnering with local retailers to organize cloth ‘Nappi’ hours to train parents on using cloth diapers. Peter joins the board with a wealth of experience from managing supply chains to merchandising. Prior to starting Do Good Diapers, he spent 2 years as a buyer at Fortune 50 retailer and 6 years as a management. Peter has a BS in Industrial Engineering from NDSU and an MBA in Strategy and Marketing from the University of Minnesota.
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Through her work as a doula and a mother of four, one of whom has special needs, Catherine started using cloth diapers nearly 9 years ago. In 2005, she began manufacturing WillowSprouts, hemp inserts for reusable diapers. Over the years she expanded her products to encompass the whole natural lifestyle including WillowPads, natural feminine care, nursing pads, reusable cloth wipes, cloth napkins for the home, and wool dryer balls. Most recently, she created Sprout Change to fill the need for a truly versatile, economical diapering solution. “I don’t want to see a landfill and think that I needlessly contributed to its growth. That’s not the legacy I want to leave my children.” Catherine lives near Madison, Wisconsin.
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Shayla Boyd-Gill - Alyahs Alternatives (Retailer) - Term expires 2012
Shayla Boyd-Gill is the owner of Alyahs Alternativeness LLC founded in September of 2003. She spends her time educating her community and beyond about the benefits of cloth diapering and natural baby care. Shayla graduated from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering Technology. After having a career as a construction project manager, she sought out a career option that would allow her to spend more time with her family. The cloth diaper business was a viable option as she had been promoting the use of cloth diapers since having her first child in 1997. She balances running Alyahs Alternatives with her full time career as a mother of five, wife, natural childbirth educator (Bradley Method®), doula and bellydance instructor. Shayla believes in the concept of Sankofa … reaching back to bring forward information that we have always known but have gotten away from.
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Leah Carter is founder and CEO of Better For Babies, Inc. While its beginnings were nurtured overseas, Better For Babies now has its roots firmly planted, and growing, outside Atlanta, Georgia. In 2007, Leah opened her own manufacturing facility near her town’s square allowing her to see to fruition a dedication to local and sustainable production, fair wages, green business practices, and an uncompromising commitment to quality products, innovation and customer service. From there, Little Beetle organic diapers and wool covers are born. With a BS and graduate work in Philosophy, Leah keeps current on legal issues and has a passion for reading and enjoying family time whenever possible.
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Tamara Champion - bynature.ca (Retailer) - Term expires 2012
Tamara Champion is founder and CEO of company Parenting By Nature, doing business as bynature.ca. Prior to starting bynature.ca in 2004, Tamara spent the previous 10 years as managing various retail outlets including Susy Shier, Smart Set and Starbucks, and also owned her own busy pet styling salon and retail establishment in Toronto for 3 years. In 2003, when Tamara and her husband decided to start a family, she immediately knew she wanted to start something new that could be managed remotely while caring for a new baby. Already passionate about a commitment to the environment and a consumer of natural, reusable products, Tamara recognized a lack of alternative, earth-friendly products for pregnancy, babies and children in the marketplace. Parenting By Nature is easily recognized as one of Canada’s most reputable green juvenile ecommerce retailers and Tamara has become a leading advocate and educator on natural parenting products. Tamara currently lives north of Toronto in the small town of Orillia with her husband and two young girls.
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Matt Guckin - Diaper Junction (Retailer) - Term expires 2013
Matt Guckin is co-owner of Soft Cloth Bunz, Inc, better known as Diaper Junction located in Virginia Beach, VA with his wonderful wife of 20 years. He is Dad to three girls ages 15, 10, and 8. His wife Bryana brought him to cloth diapering initially, when presented with the financial cost of diapering 2 children at the same time. He supported the idea for her to start a home-based cloth diaper retail business as a means to stay home with their children. Over time he found himself sharing the same passion and belief in cloth diapers with his wife. After 6 years in operation they moved the business from their home into a shipping warehouse as well as begun manufacturing the Diaper Rite brand of cloth diaper products. Matt retired from the US Navy in August of 2008 and works as an Analyst supporting the Armed Forces. He holds a BS in Technology Management and is nearly complete with his Masters in Business Administration. He enjoys camping and other outdoor activities with the family.
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Kim Meador - Eco Baby Diaper Service (Diaper Service) - Term expires 2012
Kim Meador is the owner of Eco-Baby Diaper Service, LLC. She and her husband Michael are parents of boy/girl twins, now 9 years old. They were getting diaper rashes and as soon as one cleared up they would have it again. They were sent cloth diapers from a family member who was a nurse in another state and found them to immediately help the diaper rash; from then on we were sold by the use of cloth diapers! In March of 2011, Eco Baby Diaper Service, LLC. Launched serving Southwest Florida. Kim has just started cloth diapering classes and is now including some retail diapers and accessories for families in the South Florida market for diapers and accessories.
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Mandi Meidlinger - Jillian’s Drawers (Retailer) - Term expires 2014; Chair 2011-2012
Mandi Meidlinger began her business in 2005 after the birth of her daughter, Jillian. Jillian's Drawers consists of a retail store in Ithaca, New York, as well as an online natural parenting site. Mandi is committed to maintaining ethics in every aspect of her business, including her relations with employees, customers, and manufacturers. Jillian's Drawers is Living Wage certified, offers paid time off and a flexible schedule for their employees. Customer service is Mandi's top priority, as well as ensuring products are safe for mom and baby. Mandi supports local businesses, women-owned businesses, and works with wholesalers that offer excellent working conditions. Jillian's Drawers is the recipient of a 2008 Tompkin's County New Sustainable Enterprise award and Mandi has been quoted in Mothering Magazine, The Ithaca Journal, and Tompkin's Weekly. Mandi is a board member of the Real Diaper Industry Association, which works to promote cloth diapering. Mandi holds a M.S. in Accelerator Physics from Michigan State University and has prior experience teaching physics, chemistry, and material science.
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Dave Milligan - Bambino Mio (Manufacturer) - Term expires 2014
Dave Milligan is a Sales Development Manager for Regal Lager, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Bambino Mio in the United States. He has been in the children’s industry since 1989, is passionate about business and especially in the growth of the cloth diaper category. He ran a retail store for many years and developed multiple products that have gone to market, from cribs to car seat components. Later, as a National Sales Manager for a furniture as well as a stroller company, he also gained invaluable insight from the retailer’s view. Dave feels most at home right on the floor of the store, working closely with retailers on staff training and merchandising. He believes strongly in the pursuit of putting more babies in cloth diapers and travels extensively all over the country to raise awareness. Dave, who is enthusiastic about being part of the RDIA as a board member, resides in Kennesaw, Georgia. He is happily married to Danean and is the proud father of three rambunctious boys and an adorable daughter.
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Shirley Murdock - Bummis (Manufacturer) - Term expires 2013
Shirley Murdock is co-owner of Bummis Inc., a cloth diaper manufacturer and distributor based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Shirley and her partner Betsy Thomas also own and operate 2 retail stores in the Montreal area, as well as a French retail website associated with the stores. They have made it their mission to establish Bummis as a sustainable model of business - one that supports community in many different ways. And community at Bummis means more than just local - it involves employees, clients, suppliers and fellow industry members. Their focus is on the impact of their business on environment and community - in a social, ecological and spiritual sense. Shirley has a background in biochemistry and worked at establishing biochemical testing systems through statistical analysis in many hospitals in Canada before pursuing her own business in 1991. She is an active volunteer in her local community and has managed many minor sports teams. Her passions are her family, hockey and building business in an ethical and eco-friendly way.
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Christine Munn - es baby (Small Manufacturer, artisan) - Term expires 2014
Christine Munn has been a small manufacturer, making cloth diapers and cloth diapering products, for about six years. She sells her es baby brand of diapers through her online store and has wholesaled the diapers to local natural parenting stores. She sews everything herself. She knows how much work small manufacturers do to keep their businesses running. Not only do they make their products, but they take care of all the back-end work, like web design, promotion, etc. She wants to stop the disposable culture. She envisions more people using cloth diapers and making cloth diapering more mainstream without sacrificing the quality of the diapers. Good quality diapers not only sell, but they convince people to use them---and tell their friends to use them.
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Former Directors
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Judy Aagard - Tiny Tots (Diaper Service) - 2009-2011
Judy Aagard has been involved in the family business since her parents purchased Tiny Tots in 1966. As a nine year old, she has memories of counting soiled diapers on roller skates and sleeping on the bed under the folding table while her family worked into the wee hours of the night. After college graduation, she took an active role in the management of Tiny Tots including organizing the first Diapering 101 class for her suitor, Tim Aagard. Since then, they have worked side by side promoting the use of cotton diapers. Tim & Judy used cotton diapers on their two children, Trevor and Tyler. In Trevor’s spare time, he manages the company website. Judy remains passionate about strategizing creative ways to promote cloth diapering, both at Tiny Tots and within the industry. Her latest undertaking was helping energize a grassroots effort, The Great Cloth Diaper Change and setting a Guinness World Record in the process.
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Leah Carter is founder and CEO of Better For Babies, Inc. While its beginnings were nurtured overseas, Better For Babies now has its roots firmly planted, and growing, outside Atlanta, Georgia. In 2007, Leah opened her own manufacturing facility near her town’s square allowing her to see to fruition a dedication to local and sustainable production, fair wages, green business practices, and an uncompromising commitment to quality products, innovation and customer service. From there, Little Beetle organic diapers and wool covers are born. With a BS and graduate work in Philosophy, Leah keeps current on legal issues and has a passion for reading and enjoying family time whenever possible.
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Shannon Doan - Wildflower Diapers (Retailer) - 2008-2009
Shannon Doan is owner of Wildflower Diapers, a retail shop of cloth diapers and other environmentally friendly products in Scottsdale, Arizona, since 2005. Shannon holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of South Dakota and an M.S. in Plant Biology from Arizona State University. She has worked for the U.S. Senate in Washington DC, as a legal secretary for a Washington DC law firm, and for Arizona State University as a research botanist and herbarium collections manager.
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Dennis Frederick - All Together Diaper (Manufacturer) - 2008-2011
Dennis Frederick is the owner of the All Together Diaper, Co, est. 1994, a manufacturer and wholesaler infant cloth diapers and related items. His company provides imported prefold and flat diapers to retailers and diaper services. They also manufacturer fitted diapers, all-in-one diapers, organic diapers and related products in the USA. In addition, his company maintains two retail websites, one for infant cloth diapering and one for adult incontinence. He is a former partner in Mothers' Little Helper Diaper Service, est. 1990, ended 1997. In recent years, his company has expanded into reusable linens for the massage and spa industry. Dennis has bachelors degree in Environmental Engineering and a master degree in Business Administration. While growing the All Together Diaper, Co as a home based business with the assistance of his wife Bobbie, he also managed the Ground Water Protection Program for the State of Utah between 1997 and 2003.
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Jennifer Labit - Cotton Babies/bumGenius (Manufacturer) - 2008-2009; Founder; Chair, 2008-2009
Jennifer Labit, is co-founder and CEO of Cotton Babies, Inc.. Founded in 2002 with a tiny $100 investment, Cotton Babies has become one of the nation’s leading manufacturers in the cloth diaper and natural parenting products industry. The company’s flagship bumGenius!® brand, created in 2005 by Jenn and her husband, Jimmy, is currently being manufactured on three continents, distributed on five continents and sold primarily through independent retailers. In addition to being selected by Target for a special parent-inventors project, the bumGenius® brand has received widespread media attention from publications including Time magazine, the New York Times and the Washington Post. Jenn is committed to run her business in an ethical manner that is reflected in an unceasing insistence on extremely high standards in customer service, treatment of employees and production quality. Jenn is a vocal member of the Juvenile Product Manufacturer’s Association and has spoken to members of Congress regarding product safety issues.
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Jennifer Liptrot - Diaper Pin (Cloth Diaper Information Service) - 2008-2010
In 2000, Jennifer Liptrot created Diaper Pin in an effort to educate parents about cloth diapering and green living. Her website has grown to host a wealth of information about cloth diapers in the form of product reviews, business listings, customer reviews, busy forums and many articles on cloth diapering. While her children have grown out of the diapering stage, she continues to stay green using cloth and other reusable items instead of disposables wherever she can. Jennifer has a B.S. in Computer Science and works full time as a manager of a web development group. On Sundays, she volunteers as a religious education teacher at her church. When not working, she enjoys family time with her husband and two children.
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Cecelia Lucero owns a small diaper service: San Diego Diaper Service. She runs the business with her husband and 18 month old daughter Megan in San Diego County. Cecelia was a middle school teacher until Megan was born in 2007. That is when she realized that she wanted to be a SAHM. Cecelia & family used the diaper service with their daughter until the previous owner decided to shut the business down. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to stay home with Megan, so they bought the business in November of 2007 and have been so happy! Cecelia has a BA in US History and a Masters in Education, her husband is an active duty Marine that has been deployed 4 times. Currently Cecelia volunteers with the Real Diaper Association and belong to several cloth diapering networking groups.
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Tashi Nibber - Kissaluvs (Manufacturer) - 2008-2009
For Tashi Nibber, a mom to two young boys and the owner of Kissaluvs, cloth diapers are a natural fit. Growing up on a farm in North India, Tashi herself was cloth diapered. She has seen the cotton being picked, seen it being woven into a thread on her grandmother's spinning wheel, and even seen that thread being woven to cloth on the loom in her village. With a Masters in Marketing and in Computer Science, she has previously worked in the Newspaper and Communication industries. On the birth of her first son, she went back to her roots of living simply and naturally, and took over the reins of Kissaluvs. She believes in natural parenting and creating the best products for kids and runs her business with the philosophy “be great rather than big”.
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Ann-Marie Speirs - Cozy Baby Boutique (Retailer) - 2008-2010, Founder
Ann-Marie Speirs founded Cozy Baby Boutique in 2005, a retail store specializing in cloth diapers, baby carriers and other natural products. She provides education for health care, labor, and birth professionals to further advocate the use of cloth diapers and is a member of the Real Diaper Association. Prior to starting her cloth diaper business, Ann-Marie worked in donor development (fundraising) for Plymouth Housing Group. She has served as a board member and an officer for several non-profit organizations, including Great Starts, a non-profit providing childbirth education and the publishers of the Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn book. Ann-Marie has also been a founding board member of two different charities. Since 1995 Ann-Marie has been a member of the Seattle Junior Chamber of Commerce, an international not-for-profit organization providing leadership training through community service. Ann-Marie served as president of the Seattle Chapter in 2001 which included managing a building and 23 employees. She is experienced in event coordination, fundraising, and volunteer management.
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Lori Taylor - Fuzbaby and Firefly Diapers (Small Manufacturer, artisan) - 2008-2011, Founder
Lori Taylor owns two small, cloth diaper manufacturing businesses with a focus on natural and organic materials – Fuzbaby, est. 1999, and Firefly Diapers, bought 2001. She keeps both small following her Smallering philosophy. Lori is a Founder, past President, and current Vice President and Faithkeeper of Real Diaper Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on cloth diaper education and advocacy. Lori has an M.A. in American Studies / Folklife and a Ph.D. in American Studies. She has worked as book editor at Thorsons, archivist at the Smithsonian Institution, and university teacher at SUNY at Buffalo. Her scholarly work has focused on oral history and community organizing. In addition to writing, web development, and business strategy at VeryWrite and 3Stream, she continues political, environmental, and development work for several nonprofits, including the Iroquois White Corn Project. To improve her work with nonprofits, Lori recently earned a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Management.
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Jennifer Moore Temple - Buzzie Bee Diapers (Diaper Service) - 2008-2009
Jennifer Moore Temple owns a small scale cloth diaper service and supply company with a focus on green laundering – Buzzie Bee Diapers, est. 2005. She runs the business with her husband and daughters on the coast of Maine. Jennifer volunteers for the Real Diaper Association and belongs to two local networking groups for women. Jennifer has a BA in Shakespearean Drama from Bates College and participated in the Urban Teaching Program at Wheelock College. She has worked in education, social service, healthcare and finance
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Cari Wolverton - Papaya Patch (Retailer) - 2009-2010
Cari Wolverton is the owner of Papaya Patch, a back to basics boutique specializing in natural and organic products for babies. After having her daughter in 2003, Cari became a passionate advocate for many aspects of a natural parenting lifestyle and recognized the need for local access to products that supported such choices. Papaya Patch was the answer; it has become a cornerstone in the Greater Hartford community offering classes and resources for cloth diapers, baby wearing, natural childbirth and homebirth, breastfeeding, natural and holistic healthcare, and environmentally responsible living. Cari holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut and has experience in social service, business, and marketing.
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