A Statewide Force for Milk Equity, Access, and Systemic Change
For over two decades, Alison Wolf has been a steadfast advocate for breastfeeding, donor milk access, and human milk equity—working at every level from the NICU bedside to state legislation. Her work has changed hospital policy, empowered families, mentored future leaders, and driven systemic improvements that now reach across California and beyond.
Ali’s journey began as a NICU nurse and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at UC San Diego Health. Over the years, she became a key figure in Baby-Friendly Certification efforts, breastfeeding policy development, and the expansion of donor milk use both inside and outside the NICU. By 2021, she joined the UC Health Milk Bank as Associate Director and was named Executive Director in 2023, where her leadership has shaped statewide progress with national impact.
Under Alison’s leadership:
She co-led the 100% NICU, 100% California project, resulting in every NICU in the state using or implementing donor milk within two years.
She was instrumental in the passage of AB 3059, eliminating key barriers to donor milk access, including licensing challenges and billing hurdles.
She created the Hospital Donor Milk Implementation Toolkit, a first-of-its-kind resource now shared with the CDC, AAP, CPQCC, HMBANA, and others nationwide.
She developed a groundbreaking donor milk policy for families living with HIV, ensuring supplementation options while honoring exclusive breastfeeding goals—work that has since been shared with institutions across the country.
Ali also leads with deep compassion. She has championed the Cherry Blossom Bereavement Program for grieving families, the Bridge Milk Program for those in financial crisis, and outreach to Black families historically excluded from lactation support. Her work recognizes human milk not just as nutrition—but as healing, equity, and justice.
A passionate mentor and educator, Ali has shaped countless professionals and programs. She earned recognition as NP of the Year at UCSD, regularly lectures at the CBC Symposium, and serves on advisory boards, community councils, and lactation coalitions across California. Her leadership style—grounded in humility, rigor, and relentless curiosity—has inspired a generation of lactation professionals to meet the moment with both heart and skill.
“Ali is a connector, a policy driver, a mentor, and a servant leader. Her fingerprints are all over the progress we’ve made in California—and her work is just getting started.” – Colleague Testimonial
Alison Wolf’s vision is clear: a future where every family has access to safe, equitable, and informed lactation support—no matter their zip code, health status, or birth story. Her legacy is already being felt, and her leadership continues to raise the bar for what’s possible in maternal-child health.