Vermont Business Magazine Burlington-based Mamava, makers of the first-ever lactation pod, appointed co-founder Christine Dodson its next Chief Executive Officer. On February 7, Dodson will replace Tom Witschi, who is retiring from his role as CEO and his professional career.
This is a natural progression for Dodson, who launched Mamava alongside Chief Experience Officer Sascha Mayer in 2013. The pair identified a lack of lactation spaces in workplaces and public spaces, creating a stand-alone pod as a clean, private space to breastfeed or pump. The first lactation pod was installed in the Burlington International Airport in 2013 and since then the company has gone on to deliver more than 5,000 pods throughout the country in office buildings, stadiums, medical facilities, convention centers, aquariums and more.
Beyond designing and installing lactation pods, the Vermont-based company also provides breastfeeding resources for employers, organizations, and people who are breastfeeding. Mamava’s free mobile app helps breastfeeding parents identify, access and review more than 10,000 lactation spaces nationwide.
Dodson currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer where she oversees Mamava manufacturing, including customer service, supply chain, and fulfillment. Prior to Mamava, she was the managing director of Solidarity of Unbridled Labour and previously held management positions at Grey Advertising in New York City and State Street Corporation in Boston. She is also on the board of directors for Let’s Grow Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring affordable access to quality child care for all Vermont families.
Witschi joined Mamava as CEO in July of 2022 following more than 35 years in leadership, business development and sales. Prior to Mamava, Witschi held executive-level roles at Meredith Corporation, Filipacchi Media, Golf Digest Companies, and Reader’s Digest Association. Witschi also served as the CEO of the Vermont-based EatingWell Media Group before its acquisition by Meredith Corporation.
Dodson shares Witschi’s people-focused approach to leadership. They are working collaboratively on 2025 goals and Dodson plans to continue Mamava’s direction of breaking down barriers to breastfeeding, educating families on their rights to a clean and private space to pump or breastfeed, and growing the business into new markets.
“I am thankful for Tom and his human-focused leadership during a time of transition, and business professionalization at Mamava,” said Mayer. “Now is the perfect time for Christine to take the helm as CEO, and apply her many years leading operations and production, and of course as my cofounder, driven by Mamava’s mission to make breastfeeding an authentic choice for more mothers.”
1.27.2025. Lactation Pods for Workspaces + Public Places | Mamava
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