Founder / Executive Director

Laurie Adams, President/CEO of WELCO, LKA Inc., is the founder and Executive Director of the BABY & ME-Tobacco Free Program. Under her direction, the program has been implemented nationwide and has undergone research proving its effectiveness. She is responsible for conducting all aspects of administration and implementation of the evidence-based perinatal/postpartum smoking cessation program, and oversees 21 states currently conducting the program.

Laurie worked 15 years as a program director with the NY State Tobacco Control Program, implementing tobacco control policy and system changes. She is a certified cessation specialist and shares her passion for tobacco-free women and improving the lives of the families BMTFP reaches.

Director of Health Services

Allysa Houle Williams is the Director of Health Services at WELCO, LKA Inc., and provides technical and administrative assistance to states and individual agencies that implement the BABY & ME-Tobacco Free Program. She also works collectively in the development and dissemination of program curriculum, educational materials, trainings, and knowledge of program operations.

Prior to working at the national level for BMTFP, Allysa was involved at the state level as an intern with the Indiana State Department of Health.

Allysa received her Master of Public Health (MPH), with a concentration in Behavioral, Social, and Community Health from the Indiana University Bloomington School of Public Health. She is Certified in Public Health (CPH) and is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).

Director of Program Services

Lindsay Ball is the Director of Program Services at WELCO LKA Inc. She oversees the coordination and administration of the BABY & ME-Tobacco Free Program within states, which includes planning, organizing, providing technical assistance for overall program delivery.

Prior to joining the BMTFP team, Lindsay was the Program Coordinator alongside Laurie Adams, working on various grant-based health and wellness initiatives, including work with the Bureau of Tobacco Control. She was responsible for managing the day-today operations of community engagement, implementing policy & systems change, as well as coordinating and guiding work to accomplish science-based tobacco control action.

Lindsay received her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Community & Human Services from SUNY Empire.

Policy and Public Affairs Director

Carolyn has been in the maternal and child health field for over 15 years. Prior to her current position, Carolyn was the Maternal Health Administrator with the Indiana State Department of Health. In this role, she was responsible for grant management and programming that sought to improve the health and well-being of women of childbearing age throughout Indiana. Carolyn also holds certification as an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

Carolyn Runge is the Policy and Public Affairs Director at WELCO, LKA Inc., working to raise the national profile, as well as scale and sustainability efforts, of the BABY & ME – Tobacco Free Program.

Carolyn received her Master of Public Health (MPH), with a concentration in Policy & Management from the Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Leadership at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Data Manager

Mike Ball serves as the Data Manager for WELCO LKA Inc. Mike is responsible for managing the online data portal, including portal maintenance, reporting and analysis. He is also responsible for the issuing, tracking and maintenance of our electronic vouchers. He works directly with BMTFP agencies and their sponsors.

Mike has over 15 years of experience in tracking, reconciling and reporting on financial stationary as well as over 3 years of proficiency in fund accounting, including implementing, maintaining, and trend analysis on budgetary accounts.

Mike received his Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accountancy from SUNY Empire.

Accounts Manager

George Adams serves as the Accounts Manager for WELCO LKA Inc. and BMTFP. George is responsible for conducting all aspects of fiscal administration; accounting, invoices, purchasing, and fiduciary accountability. He works directly with BMTFP sites to provide efficient accounting and billing processes. George has 18 years of experience in accounts management and provides effective, timely support to staff and our national partners.