Our Story
What began with the world's first freestanding lactation pod has grown into a broader mission: creating spaces where people can be fully present for work, care, wellness, and connection.
What We Believe
We believe the right space changes what's possible. That's why we design privacy pods built around how people actually spend their day: heads-down work, a phone call that needs a closed door, a space to pump or nurse, or a quiet space for a telehealth visit. More than a decade of building for demanding workplaces and public spaces taught us that focus isn't a luxury. It's essential infrastructure.
Our Story
We Created a Category
In 2013, we installed the world’s first freestanding lactation pod at Burlington International Airport. There was no playbook, just a belief that breastfeeding parents deserved better than a bathroom. That single Mamava pod created a whole new category. But we didn’t stop with the pod—we also built the free Mamava app to help connect breastfeeding parents with lactation spaces wherever they go. Along the way, we learned something bigger: people need space for essential focus, care, and connection. To do what matters most.
Now We're Redefining It
Today, bringing more than a decade of experience creating the conditions for essential focus, Ava Pods serves organizations across workplaces, airports, educational campuses, healthcare settings, and public spaces with privacy pods and solutions purpose-built for work, wellness, and lactation. Women-founded and led, Ava Pods designs and assembles our pods at our manufacturing facility in Springfield, Vermont.
Founders + Leaders
Meet the Leadership Team
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Christine Dodson
Co-founder + Chief Executive Officer
With more than 25 years of experience in strategic branding and operations, Christine is a recognized expert on privacy infrastructure, telehealth access, and workplace and public-space design. She's held management positions at JDK, Grey Advertising in New York City, and State Street Corporation in Boston.
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Sascha Mayer
Co-founder + Chief Experience Officer
Sascha helps shape the experience of Ava Pods for end-users, customers, and employees, and leads the company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) work. A seasoned brand strategist, she's worked with Levi’s, Lululemon, Nike Women, and Seventh Generation.
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Vanessa Clark
Chief Product + Data Officer
Vanessa directs product strategy and development and oversees data integrity for Ava Pods. She brings 20 years of experience at start-ups with a focus on strategy, technology, and operations.
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Nicci Micco
Chief Marketing Officer
Nicci drives strategy, execution, and optimization of brand, growth, and product marketing. She began her career as a journalist, producing multi-platform health and lifestyle content and programs for national media brands.
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Dina Townsend
Chief Sales Officer
Dina leads sales strategy and operations and oversees direct and channel sales teams, and account management for Ava Pods. With a background in digital signage technology, she believes that a strong business sense and a meaningful mission can be seamlessly intertwined.
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Brian Wannop
Chief Financial Officer
Brian leads all aspects of finance and accounting and drives operational excellence at Ava Pods. He started his career at the strategic advisory firm The Parthenon Group in San Francisco and Boston before joining the strategy and finance team at Keurig Green Mountain.
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Robert Myers
Senior VP, Operations
Rob leads the operational engine of Ava Pods—including manufacturing, supply chain, fulfillment, service, and logistics. He has over 20 years of cross-functional operations experience in the life sciences industry.
Pods with a purpose
Explore Workspace Pods
Explore Wellness Pods
Explore Lactation Pods
Privacy pods designed for deep work, confidential calls, and the moments that require focus in today’s evolving workplace.
Dedicated wellness pods help organizations expand access to secure, convenient care.
Purpose-built lactation pods that give breastfeeding parents a private, comfortable place to pump or nurse at work and in public spaces.
Select Your Purpose
Careers
Join the team creating spaces that help people focus, connect, and thrive.
Governance + Transparency
Annual Impact Reports
Our story began as Mamava. Explore the reports that document our impact over the years and follow our next chapter as Ava Pods.
Note: Reports published before 2026 reflect our work as Mamava. Future reports will be published under the Ava Pods brand.
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ESG Report
Learn about our ESG commitments and progress.
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2025 Mamava Impact Report
See how we expanded access to lactation spaces.
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2024 Mamava Impact Report
Explore our milestones, partnerships, and progress.
Download Now about 2024 Mamava Impact Report (opens in a new tab)