Lia Buffa De Feo, Infertility Advocate, Author & Speaker

As far back as Lia Buffa De Feo can remember, she wanted to be a mother. Chalk it up to growing up in an Italian immigrant family in suburban New York. There were plenty of examples in her life of strong women serving as the backbone of their respective households, and she hoped to one day fulfill such a presence herself. Much to De Feo’s surprise, and in the face of unimaginable tragedy, she discovered the road to motherhood was far from smooth. Many women endure their share of hardship during pregnancy; few have to overcome the loss of one child to stillbirth, and another to a fatal prenatal condition. How did De Feo cope not only with these obstacles, but her fertility struggles in general? What helped De Feo persevere both at home and in the workplace? We explore these subjects with De Feo, who is determined to use the pain from her own experience to advocate for expectant mothers encountering similar challenges.

Lia Buffa De Feo, Infertility Advocate & Product Development Strategist, shared the story behind her title with us on February 26, 2025.

Lia’s journey as a mother, raising a young daughter while grieving two children lost to stillbirth and a perinatal heart condition, has profoundly shaped her work. These deeply personal experiences, combined with over 25 years in the corporate world, have made her a passionate advocate for reproductive rights and workplace equity. Lia believes in the transformative power of storytelling to unite seemingly disparate communities and drive meaningful change. By sharing her story, she seeks to foster empathy and understanding.

Her writing has been featured in The New York Times, Refinery29, and CNN. Through her storytelling, Lia highlights the intersection of personal struggles and broader societal challenges. She has shared her journey on award-winning podcasts and is a Moth StorySlam winner, using these platforms to inspire and connect with a wider audience.

In her weekly newsletter, Fly Bravely, Lia shares stories of motherhood, resilience, infertility, and healing through creativity. She embraces the power of positive thinking and synchronicity, believing that empathy can create common ground between seemingly different individuals.

As a life coach, Lia empowers others to overcome trauma and emotional blockages, guiding them toward a life filled with gratitude. Her personal experiences with infertility and loss have shaped her compassionate coaching approach, allowing her to offer practical support to those facing similar challenges. She encourages clients to harness artistic expression as a tool for processing trauma.

When not writing, Lia captures the streets of New York City through photography. As a licensed tour guide, she finds inspiration in the city, which has been integral to her healing journey. Lia lives near Central Park with her husband, artist Michael De Feo, their daughter Carolina, and their golden-doodle, Basil. Her stepdaughter Marianna is a college student in Rhode Island. One shared family love, beyond their bond with each other, is chocolate peanut butter ice cream.