Meet Yuki, Head of Facility at Leche.

She's the guardian of your milk from doorstep to sachet. A PhD-trained food scientist with 8+ years of hands-on experience in human milk research and compliance, Yuki has led studies on heat-treated donor milk, lipase activity and so much more. Her experience helps shape product development at Leche with an emphasis on safety, quality, and infant nutrition.

Question: Yuki, for parents and donors, what does “Head of Facility” really mean?
Yuki: I’m the one making sure your milk stays safe, pure, and traceable—every step from drop-off to the final sachet. Basically, I’m your milk’s bodyguard and the science geek behind the scenes making sure everything runs right.

Question: Tell us a bit about your background—what brought you here?
Yuki: I’ve spent over a decade in food science, working on human milk, proteins, and enzymes—and how to turn biology into real nutrition that helps people. I’ve worked across research, process design, and product development. What brought me to Leche is simple: parents deserve options that make feeding easier. The science is here—we’re just putting it to work for families.

Question: Why does freeze-dried breast milk matter for everyday life?
Yuki: It’s shelf-stable, portable, and quick to mix. No freezer Tetris, no last-minute thawing. Whether you’re at work, traveling, or handing a feed to grandma, it’s real milk with real flexibility.

Question: Community is a big part of Leche. How do you see your role in that?
Yuki: Community is at the heart of everything we do. Donors, surrogates, caregivers—we’re a team working toward the same goal. My job is to make the handoff safe and simple so your care truly reaches the babies who need it.

Question: What does “safe and simple” look like in practice?
Yuki: Clear labels, careful intake, gentle freeze-drying, sealed packaging, and easy mixing. We keep things transparent so you always know what’s happening with your milk.

Question: Tips for parents using freeze-dried milk?
Yuki: Use purified or distilled water, follow your Leche instructions, mix well, and feed per your pediatrician/IBCLC’s guidance. Discard leftovers per safe-feeding rules.

Question: Biggest myth you’d like to retire?
Yuki: The biggest myth? That freeze-drying ruins nutrients. In reality, we’re just removing water under a cold vacuum—gently—to protect what matters.

Question: A moment that reminded you why this work matters?
Yuki: A caregiver told us our sachets made night feeds calmer for their NICU grad—no clock-watching, just mix and feed. That’s the point: less stress for parents..

Question: How can someone plug into the Leche community?
Yuki: Three easy ways: try our products and services, join Milkdrop to donate, and share your story so other parents know what resources are available to them on their journey.

Quick Facts

• Go-to lab mantra: “Clarity is kindness.”

• Proudest small win: A perfectly labeled bag.

• Travel tip: Keep two sachets in every bag—you’ll forget they’re there (until you need them).

• Off Duty: Gym, baking, travel, and quiet evenings with Snow the cat

About Yuki 

Yuki is Leche’s Head of Facility, overseeing intake, safety checks, freeze-drying, and final packaging. With a background in food science and human milk research, she’s built processes that keep nutrition and safety at the center of every step. Passionate about parent-friendly science, Yuki’s mission is simple: protect every ounce and make feeding easier for families.