Meet our staff!
The lactation field as a whole is largely unregulated, with each individual credential offering a slightly different scope of practice and training requirements. We strongly encourage you to vet and verify anyone who offers lactation services, ourselves included. Please don't hesitate to ask us any questions you may have about what we are trained to do, what kind of insurance we carry (malpractice and general liability, FYI), or anything else to set your mind at ease. This information is your right to have as informed consumers and parents protecting the well being of your baby.
Kristyn Leonard, IBCLC, CLC (she/her)
Owner and Lactation Consultant
Contact:
Email: support@columbialc.com
Phone/Text: 803-250-5723
Certifications:
2012 - Certified Lactation Counselor, ALPP ID: 36615
2015 - Tongue Tie Doula, (organization no longer active)
2017 - TOTS (Tethered Oral Tissue Specialty) Trained Provider, verify
2018 - TummyTime!™ Method Instructor, verify
2021 - International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, L-301434
2021 - Trained in Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention
2024 - Movement Moments Trained, verify
Kristyn founded Columbia Lactation Care in 2015 after seeing a need for additional resources in the community. You can read her full story here. She is passionate about informed consent, patient autonomy, and access to care and you can often find her advocating for such across the spectrum of birth work both locally and nationally.
Kala Grant, CLC, CD(DONA) (she/her)
Lactation Counselor
Contact:
Email: kala@columbialc.com
Phone/Text: 803-598-0123
Certifications:
2023 - Certified Birth Doula, DONA International: 14981
2024 - Movement Moments Trained, verify
2025 - Certified Lactation Counselor, ALPP ID: 362506
Kala has loved birth and babies for as long as she can remember. After having her own babies she brought her background in herbalism and all things plant based to the birth world, first as a birth doula and now as a lactation counselor. She has been with Columbia Lactation Care since 2024, completing her lactation education while working as an administrative specialist. Now that she has completed her didactic education she is excited to provide personalized lactation support to our community.
Rachel Ashley, RN, BSN, IBCLC (she/her)
Lactation Consultant
Contact:
Email: rachel@columbialc.com
Phone/Text: 803-598-1055
Certifications:
2014 - University of South Carolina, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2014 - Registered Nurse, SC License 225915
2023 - International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, L-311242
Rachel joined Columbia Lactation Care in 2025 and has worked as a nurse in mother/baby, pediatrics, and in-patient, out-patient, and pediatric office lactation. "I became a lactation consultant after struggling breastfeeding my first daughter and I received amazing support and encouragement from several lactation consultants. I now hope to be that source of support and encouragement for you."
Amber Heuer (she/her)
Customer Service Specialist
Contact:
Email: amber@columbialc.com
Amber joined Columbia Lactation Care in 2025 and is currently working as our customer service specialist. After struggling with breastfeeding her son and overcoming obstacles in their path her goal is to become an IBCLC herself one day. You can find her working hard on her educational requirements between answering phones and checking patients in and out of their appointments.