Our Purpose

Patricia spearheaded the creation of Limerick’s revolutionary breast pump, PJ’s Comfort. She credits its intuitive design and uncompromising comfort to her daughter, Joan Ortiz, whose contact with and constant feedback from the mothers in their Workplace Lactation Program inspired the idea. Patricia has received numerous industry awards, including Business Life Magazine’s Women Achievers award and a Special Congressional Recognition for Women in Science and Technology. She’s also active in her community, having served on the board of philanthropic organizations, like the Burbank Noon Rotary Club and the Kids’ Community Dental Clinic. Patricia launched a business partnership with Villa Esperanza Services, a nonprofit organization for the developmentally disabled, which continues to this day.

Joan is responsible for Limerick’s research study, published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing — one of the most proven and comprehensive breastfeeding support models available. Further, she contributed to the research that helped commission the Friendly Airports for Mother’s Act, introduced by Senator Tammy Duckworth and Representative Stephen Knight, requiring all large and medium airports to have a readily available lactation room separate from the bathrooms. Joan is also responsible for training and overseeing all of the company’s lactation consultants and registered nurses. Under Joan’s purview, Limerick’s Workplace Lactation Program has won the Working Women Entrepreneurial Excellence Award for Customer/Client Service, and Joan has personally been the recipient of Burbank’s Women of the Year award, Business Life Magazine’s Women Achievers award, and Special Congressional Recognition for Women in Science and Technology. She has been active in Rotary International where she’s a Paul Harris Fellow, the National Charity League, and Leadership Burbank, and is a current board member of The Boys & Girls Club of Burbank & Greater East Valley and past President and current board member of BreastfeedLA.

In the spring of 2020, Kristina will graduate from California State University, Northridge, with a Bachelor of Science in systems and operations management. Limerick was founded by her mother and grandmother, so she literally grew up in the business, helping out in grade school and becoming an official employee in 2010. Since then she has served as supervisor of customer service and accounts receivable manager, and when she graduates from college, she will become the head of operations and logistics. This year, in addition to her classroom studies, Kristina is looking forward to “having a healthy birth experience with my daughter and breastfeeding her with the support of the Limerick team and our innovative products.”

Carla started her career as a CPA and eventually found her way to coaching, which she has been doing for 13+ years. Her base of clients is primarily working parents, with a specialty in coaching through personal and professional transitions. She has expanded her skills to include certifications in The Gottman Institute’s Bringing Baby Home program, EQ in action and TRACOM Social Styles. Carla lives in Seattle with her husband, Dan, their three kids and puppy.