®
About Brilora Fertility Foundation®
Formerly known as Chosen Fertility Group, we've been supporting individuals and families navigating fertility challenges since 2020.
Our Story
What began around a kitchen table in Metro Detroit has grown into a lifeline for hundreds of families facing infertility. When our founder experienced the isolation, confusion, and financial strain of fertility treatments firsthand, she realized too many people battled this journey alone.
So in 2020, they rallied friends, doctors, and local businesses to create what is now Brilora Fertility Foundation—a place where compassion meets action.
Today, our support socials bring together licensed therapists, medical experts, and peers who truly understand. Our grant program has eased the financial burden of IVF, IUI, Surrogacy, and Acupuncture. Our network of trusted partners ensures every member has access to the best care available.
Chosen Fertility Group is now Brilora Fertility Foundation. Same resources. Same support. Same mission. New name.
Mission & Values
Brilora Fertility Foundation® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals and families on their fertility journey. Our mission is to support, educate, and foster a safe, compassionate community where no one walks this path alone. Through an ever-growing network of professionals, businesses, and partner organizations, Brilora provides vital resources—from emotional support and educational programs to financial grants—helping to break down barriers and bring the dream of parenthood within reach.
Compassion
We understand the emotional weight of fertility challenges because we've been there too.
Community
No one should face this journey alone. Together, we turn isolation into solidarity.
Action
We don't just talk about change—we fund grants, host events, and build partnerships.
Hope
Every story of success fuels our mission to help more families achieve their dreams.
Brilora Leadership Team
The founder who started it all.
Lauren Clements
Founder & CEO
Lauren Clements is the Founder and CEO of Brilora Fertility Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to making the fertility journey feel less isolating and more financially accessible. After experiencing infertility and ultimately welcoming her twin daughters through IVF, Lauren recognized how difficult it can be to navigate treatment without the right support, resources, or financial means. What began as a desire to help others feel less alone has grown into an expanding organization providing fertility grants, trusted referrals, educational resources, community events, and meaningful connections for individuals and families building their families. Under Lauren’s leadership, Brilora has brought together fertility clinics, agencies, physicians, mental health professionals, advocates, and families across multiple states to create support that extends far beyond the walls of a fertility clinic. She leads the organization’s strategic growth, fundraising, partnerships, grant programs, and national community-building efforts while remaining personally connected to the people Brilora serves. Lauren believes that while no one chooses the challenges that become part of their fertility story, there can still be purpose, connection, and hope found within them. Her greatest passion is helping families continue believing in what may still be possible. Lauren lives in Metro Detroit with her husband, Justin, their twin daughters, Bristol and Saylor, and their beloved pup, Posh.
View ProfileBrilora Board Members
Our dedicated board guiding the foundation's mission.
Kelly Stafford
Board Chair
Kelly Stafford is best known as the wife of NFL quarterback Matthew Stafford and the host of The Morning After podcast, where she openly discusses her life experiences, including her journey through motherhood, health challenges, and infertility struggles. Now serving as the board chair of Chosen Fertility Group, Kelly is passionate in her advocacy with infertility awareness. Having experienced her own challenges with in vitro fertilization (IVF), which she describes as a "blessing" that allowed her to build her family, Kelly is dedicated to helping others access fertility treatments. Her personal connection to infertility fuels her commitment to breaking stigmas and ensuring financial barriers don't stand in the way of family-building dreams.
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Christen Goff
Board Director
Christen Goff is a model and actress with a dynamic career in film, fashion, and commercial work. Beyond her professional career, Christen is deeply committed to philanthropy and the empowerment of families on their path to parenthood. With a strong passion for fertility advocacy and community support, Christen brings a thoughtful and purpose-driven perspective to the Brilora Board of Directors. She is dedicated to expanding access to care, increasing awareness, and ensuring that families navigating fertility challenges feel seen, supported, and never alone. Christen's leadership reflects her belief that every story holds gold, and she is honored to help grow Brilora's mission as it supports families across Michigan, California, and beyond.
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Dr. Amy Heeringa
Board Director
Dr. Amy Heeringa, OB-GYN, is board certified and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Based in Rochester Hills, Troy, and Lenox, she practices at Oakland Macomb Obstetrics & Gynecology, P.C. She earned her degrees from the University of Michigan and completed her residency at The Cleveland Clinic and MetroHealth Medical Center. Dr. Heeringa specializes in normal pregnancy, general gynecology, minimally invasive surgery, contraception, menstrual disorders, menopause, and abnormal Pap smears. She is a NAMS certified menopause provider and has specialty training in robotic and single-incision robotic hysterectomy. Recognized as an Hour Detroit Top Doc, Dr. Heeringa excels in menopausal medicine and gynecologic surgery.
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Jamie Edmonds
Board Director
Many of you know her as our dynamic Gala emcee, but Jamie's commitment to Brilora runs much deeper. Jamie is an Emmy-nominated reporter and anchor for WDIV Local 4, where she covers weekend sports and hosts Sports Final Edition. With nearly 15 years in broadcasting, she brings not only award-winning storytelling experience but also a genuine passion for advocacy and impact. From her national championship figure skating days to her coverage of Detroit teams, Jamie has always been a fierce leader — and we're thrilled to have her as a board director.
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Gary Osepchuk
Treasurer
Gary is a CPA and Partner at Abraham & Gaffney, PC in East Lansing, with 10+ years of experience helping small businesses and individuals with their tax and accounting needs. He loves working with small business owners (and non-profit creators) to help take the stress out of accounting, and help their passion succeed. He lives in Howell, with his wife and two boys, and enjoys playing hockey and golf in his free time. Gary is excited to be a part of the Brilora Board, and is looking forward to helping families battling infertility.
View ProfileImpact Council
Advisors and advocates amplifying our mission.
Haley Pepper
Birth Doula & Women’s Health Advocate
Haley Pepper is a parenting and cultural creator, Birth and Postpartum Doula, women’s health activist, NFL wife, and mom of two. Haley advocates for progressive policy change to allow women and families to thrive (not just survive) in modern American parenthood. In a media ecosystem saturated with regressive messaging towards women, Haley aims to create space and visibility for ALL women. Through her social media and podcast, Canaries in the Carline, she engages in conversations with experts, authors, activists, politicians, and friends on health, motherhood, spirituality, politics and more.
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Andrew Bishop
VP of Procurement at DraftKings, Inc.
Andrew Bishop serves as Vice President of Procurement at DraftKings, where he leads strategic sourcing and procurement initiatives. Alongside his wife, Lauren, Andrew’s personal fertility journey inspired a passion for helping other families access the care and support they need. Together, they created the Mighty Mac Grant, named in honor of their son, Mac. Through the generosity of their family, friends, and community, they raise funds each year to provide financial assistance to individuals and couples pursuing fertility treatment. As a member of Brilora Fertility Foundation’s Impact Council, Andrew is proud to support the Foundation’s mission of expanding access to fertility care and resources.
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Dr. Brad Miller
Founder & Medical Director at RMA of Michigan
Dr. Brad Miller is the Founder and Medical Director of RMA of Michigan and a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist. With decades of experience in fertility care, Dr. Miller has helped thousands of patients grow their families and has contributed extensively to the field through research, clinical leadership, and community service. He is the author of more than twenty scientific publications and remains committed to improving IVF outcomes while minimizing risk for patients. Outside of his practice, Dr. Miller volunteers monthly at the Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic, providing care to uninsured and underinsured individuals and families in the community.
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Stephanie Caballero
CEO & Founder Of The Surrogacy Law Center
Stephanie M. Caballero is the founder of The Surrogacy Law Center, a globally recognized firm representing thousands of clients in assisted reproductive arrangements. She has appeared on various programs and in print media, including The Today Show, Access Hollywood, HuffPost Live, ABC News, Fox 5 San Diego, BBC Mundo, The Daily Beast, and In Touch Magazine. Drawing deeply from her personal experience as a mother through surrogacy, Stephanie launched two essential resources to guide individuals through the complex world of assisted reproductive technology (ART) and law. The IVF Parent podcast features in- depth, compassionate interviews with vetted industry professionals and experts to guide others through the emotional and logistical challenges of fertility. Complementing this is the Repro Law Roundup, a monthly webinar offering timely, clear, and practical legal updates on surrogacy, parentage, and all forms of donation. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys, the International Association of Lawyers, and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, where she has served on the board of its Legal Professional Group. Her firm is licensed in California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Michigan, Texas, and Washington State, and has staff who speak Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, and Mandarin.
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Deborah Warshauer
Founder Of Woodland Hills Acupuncture
Deborah Warshauer is the founder of Woodland Hills Acupuncture and Brilora Fertility Foundation’s **Acupuncture & Reproductive Wellness Advisor**, bringing her expertise in acupuncture and integrative wellness to support individuals throughout their fertility and family-building journeys. Through her work at Woodland Hills Acupuncture, Deborah is passionate about providing thoughtful, individualized care and helping patients better understand how acupuncture and complementary wellness practices can support the body and overall well-being throughout the fertility process. As part of the Brilora team, Deborah lends her expertise to our education, resources, and support programming, helping us provide a more well-rounded approach to fertility support that considers both the physical and emotional sides of the journey. Her commitment to compassionate care and supporting individuals through fertility and family building makes Deborah an incredibly valued part of the Brilora community.
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Debbie Hitzel
Co-Founder & Event Coordinator at Impact Auctions
Debbie Hitzel is the co-founder of Impact Auctions, a nationally recognized fundraising auctioneer team dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations maximize their fundraising success. Alongside her husband, Ron, Debbie has spent more than two decades partnering with charities, event planners, and community leaders to create engaging, high-energy galas that inspire generosity and deliver exceptional results. Known for her passion for serving others, Debbie brings creativity, strategic event planning, and a genuine love for people to every event. She believes that successful fundraising is built on strong relationships, thoughtful planning, and creating memorable experiences that connect donors to a mission. Beyond her work, Debbie enjoys spending time with family which does include 7 grandbabies, caring for her koi pond, traveling, and finding new ways to make a positive impact in her community. Her mission is simple: help nonprofits raise more money so they can change more lives. Debbie grew up in Iowa and was raised on a family farm. Playing a lot of sports helped gel her to become a teacher and a coach for over 27 years in Iowa and Florida! Her husband Ron and her now reside outside of Charlotte in a little town call Waxhaw!
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Marla Tellez
News Anchor at FOX 11 Los Angeles
Marla Tellez is an award-winning news anchor based in Los Angeles with more than two decades of experience in television journalism. A California native, her career has spanned writing, producing, and anchoring across the state, earning her numerous accolades including an Emmy, a Golden Mike, and the 2023 LA Press Club "Anchor/Host of the Year." Marla holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Sonoma State University, graduating magna cum laude. Having personally navigated her own IVF journey, she is deeply committed to Brilora's mission and is honored to leverage her platform and personal experience to support, advocate for, and empower others on their paths to parenthood.
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Anya Bloore
Executive Vice President at CBRE
Anya Ostry is a senior leader within CBRE's Global Occupier Advisory hub team, based across Dallas, Newport Beach, and Atlanta. With 15 years of experience, she specializes in strategic real estate solutions for Fortune 500 clients — combining occupancy strategy with complex lease and asset disposition negotiations across U.S. and global markets. A 2025 Connect CRE National Top Broker Award winner and finalist for the Top 50 Women Leaders in Real Estate by Women We Admire, Anya holds the Master of Corporate Real Estate (MCR) designation from CoreNet Global. She serves on multiple boards including CoreNet Global, the Alcott Center for Mental Health, and Chapman University's Alexander E. Hayden School of Real Estate. Anya and her husband Jackson co-founded the Born Strong x the Bloore Family Grant through the Brilora Fertility Foundation, supporting families navigating the costs of fertility treatments. She splits her time between Dallas, Texas, and Orange County, California.
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Sam Hyde
President & Owner of Circle Surrogacy
Sam is co-founder of Northstar Fertility Partners, and current President of its largest portfolio company, Circle Surrogacy. He originally acquired the business with his business partner Steuart Botchford. Prior to Circle, Sam spent four years in management consulting at McKinsey and Deloitte. He holds an MBA from Michigan Ross and a BA from Michigan State. He lives in Michigan with his wife and three children.
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Jennifer Bracco
Marketing Director at fertility & surgical Associates of CA
Jennifer Bracco is a marketing and healthcare professional with experience in physician relations, pharmaceutical sales, and practice development. She currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Physician Liaison at Fertility and Surgical Associates of California (FSAC), where she focuses on expanding referral networks, increasing patient volume, and strengthening relationships with physicians and healthcare providers. Jennifer has a proven track record of supporting the successful launch and promotion of new physicians while driving strategic growth initiatives.
View ProfileBrilora Fertility Team
The dedicated team members supporting our mission.
Charla Grim
Community and Brand Relations Director
Charla Grim is the Community + Brand Relations Director at Brilora Fertility Foundation, where she plays a leading role in shaping the organization’s voice, strengthening community relationships, and expanding its reach within the fertility space. Through storytelling, partnerships, events, advocacy, and brand strategy, Charla helps ensure that Brilora’s mission remains both deeply personal and accessible to the families it serves. She works closely with patients, providers, partners, grant recipients, and members of the fertility community to create meaningful connections and bring greater awareness to the emotional and financial realities of infertility and loss. Charla’s work is deeply rooted in her own eight-year journey through infertility, including the stillbirth of her son, Emmett, at 38 weeks. Through that experience, she found purpose in advocacy and in creating the type of compassionate community she wished every family had while navigating such an isolating path. Charla is married to her high school sweetheart, Nick, and is a proud mother to Mason and Garrison. She carries Emmett’s memory with her in everything she does, and his life continues to inspire the heart, purpose, and compassion she brings to Brilora each day.
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Dezarey Lemar
Administrative Coordinator
Dezarey Lemar serves as Administrative Coordinator and has been an important part of the organization for the past three years. Behind so much of what Brilora does, Dezarey helps keep the details moving, from administrative support and organization to helping with events, programs, and the day-to-day work that brings our mission to life. Her willingness to jump in wherever she is needed and her genuine care for the families and communities we serve make her an integral part of the Brilora team. Community involvement is also an important part of who Dezarey is. She serves on the Manchester Fair Board and has a strong connection to her local community, bringing that same spirit of service and connection to her work with Brilora. Over the past three years, Dezarey has grown alongside the foundation and continues to be a steady, dedicated presence behind the work we do to support individuals and families navigating fertility and family building.
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Dr. Amanda Dudley
National Ambassador
Amanda is a Physical Therapist committed to serving underserved communities. Raised in Atlanta and now residing in Los Angeles, she holds a bachelor's degree from Georgia State University, where she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., an organization centered on service to all mankind. She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Hampton University, where she met her husband. After nearly two years of battling infertility and undergoing IVF, Amanda welcomed her baby boy in 2025. Having personally experienced the emotional, physical, and financial toll of infertility, she is passionate about fostering a supportive community, providing resources, and helping others navigate their own paths. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband, exploring new cuisines, and exercising.
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Lisa Choike
Michigan Ambassador
Lisa lives in Shelby Township with her husband, Erik and daughter Kennedy. They are fortunate enough to have had Kennedy thanks to donor eggs through RMA of Michigan. Lisa enjoys traveling, hiking, running, and time spent with family. She studied Wellness, Health Promotion, and Injury Prevention at Oakland University. This gave way to becoming a fitness coordinator at a senior living facility. Currently Lisa is a full-time Mom and is thrilled to be a part of Chosen and helping others.
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Kyra Stevens
California Ambassador
Kyra Stevens is a Los Angeles native and digital media specialist of 8 years. She has worked in partnership with Kelly Stafford and family for years, facilitating visibility for women's reproductive health across platforms as part of the ethos of The Morning After Media. A big proponent of proactive care, Kyra has taken initiative in her own fertility journey, even though she is years away from having kids of her own. She believes everyone should be informed and empowered to make the best decisions for their own reproductive success and that investing in this space is beneficial to us all, whether or not we can identify with infertility struggles.
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Debbie and Ron Hitzel
Auctioneers
Debbie and Ron Hitzel, Impact Auctions, are a husband and wife team that have been in the fundraising business for over 20 years raising money for charitable causes close to their hearts. Our Auctioneer is a former US Navy Nuclear Submariner and has upgraded electrical power plants around the world and has his masters degree in business management. Ron speaks several languages after working in over 56 countries and thus brings his world travels to the stage! Debbie is a former teacher of almost 30 years and now enjoys helping all fundraising events. Impact Auctions is located in North Carolina and Florida and is a Licensed Charity Auctioneer full service brand that is a vital part to the Brilora organization.
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Nina Herrst
Official Photographer
Nina Herrst is Brilora Fertility Foundation’s Official Photographer, generously donating her time and talent to help tell the stories at the heart of our mission. As the owner of Nina Herrst Photography, Nina has built her work around capturing genuine connection and preserving the moments that matter most. After losing her mom at 21, she gained a deeply personal appreciation for the power photographs have to preserve the people, emotions, and moments we never want to forget. From our galas, to our grant reveals, Support Socials and special events, Nina is behind the camera capturing so many of the moments that define Brilora. Her images allow us to share the real people, connections, and stories behind our work in a way words simply can’t. A mom of two and longtime member of the Chelsea community, Nina is also deeply committed to giving back. She has been involved with the Chelsea Rotary Club for more than a decade, including serving as Club President, along with other local leadership and community organizations. We are incredibly grateful for the heart, time, and talent Nina continues to give to Brilora and the families we serve. https://www.ninaherrst.com/
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Dominique Elya
Lead Therapist & Mental Health Advisor
Dominique Elya is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in women’s health, infertility, and pregnancy loss. She is the founder and owner of Athena Counseling Services, LLC, in Macomb, Michigan, where she provides individual and couples therapy and trauma-informed, compassionate care for those navigating the emotional, relational, and psychological challenges of their fertility journey. Dominique also serves as the Lead Therapist for Brilora Fertility Foundation’s Support Socials and support programming, helping create welcoming spaces for individuals and couples to connect, feel supported, and access mental health resources throughout their fertility and family-building journeys. Her passion for reproductive mental health was shaped by personal experiences that revealed how isolating and overwhelming this path can feel and highlighted the need for empathetic, specialized support. Combined with her professional training, these experiences allow Dominique to deeply connect with clients and meet them where they are. Dominique is honored to walk alongside individuals and couples at every stage of their fertility journey and to be part of the Brilora team, offering a supportive space for healing, connection, and resilience. https://www.athenacounselingmi.com/
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Lesley Farrell
Therapist & Mental Health Advisor
Lesley Farrell is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and a therapist with the Brilora Fertility Foundation team, specializing in trauma, anxiety, reproductive loss, infertility, pregnancy loss, and perinatal mental health. She has been practicing as a psychotherapist since 2012 and brings extensive training in trauma-informed care to her work. As part of the Brilora team, Lesley helps lead **Support Socials and support programming**, creating a welcoming space for individuals and couples navigating fertility and family-building journeys to connect, feel supported, and access meaningful mental health resources. Lesley utilizes a blend of evidence-based and somatic approaches, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), EMDR 2.0, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). She is also a Certified Clinical Trauma and Grief Informed Professional (CCTP/CGP). Through both her clinical work and her role with Brilora, Lesley is passionate about helping individuals feel supported through the emotional complexities of infertility, loss, and family building while providing tools that encourage healing, resilience, and meaningful change.
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Ashley Weinert
Mental Health & Nutrition Education Specialist
About Ashley Weinert, MA, LLP, NCSP, CMNCS With more than 15 years of experience in mental health and education, I bring a whole-person approach to supporting emotional well-being, nutrition education, and fertility. My work combines my background in mental health with my education in Dietetics and Psychology. I provide nutrition education for adults focused on fertility support, helping clients better understand the connection between nutrition, lifestyle, stress, and overall well-being. My goal is to provide practical, easy-to-understand education that helps clients feel informed and empowered throughout their fertility journey. My passion for this work is also personal. I am a wife and mom of two children, and I experienced unexplained infertility while trying to conceive my first child, followed by an unexpected miscarriage. The uncertainty and feeling of being out of control during my fertility journey were deeply challenging emotionally and mentally. Learning to focus on what was within my control—including my health, nutrition, and overall well-being—helped me navigate the complex emotions that came with my experience. This personal journey has shaped the compassionate and supportive approach I bring to my work with others. I am a Michigan Master’s Limited Psychologist (LLP), Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP), and Certified Mental Health & Nutrition Clinical Specialist (CMNCS). I earned my Master of Arts in School and Community Psychology from Wayne State University and my Bachelor of Science degrees in Dietetics and Psychology from Michigan State University. I believe that while we cannot control every part of the fertility journey, we can focus on the areas that are within our control. Through education, mental health support, and healthy lifestyle habits, my goal is to help clients feel more informed, supported, and empowered along the way. Nutrition education is provided for educational purposes and does not include dietetic services or medical nutrition therapy.
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Marielle Skouras
California Peer Support Specialist
Marielle Skouras is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Perinatal Mental Health professional and trauma specialist, focusing on infertility support in her Los Angeles-based private practice. Marielle's passion for specializing in infertility and perinatal therapy stems from her own journey through infertility, IVF, and a challenging birth experience. As a seasoned therapist, she encountered firsthand the difficulty of finding truly specialized mental health care while seeking her own support during her IVF process. This eye-opening experience highlighted a significant gap in accessible, empathetic support for those navigating fertility challenges, inspiring Marielle to expand her practice in this direction.
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Izzie Wiliams
Brand & Social Media Coordinator
Izzie serves as Brand & Social Media Coordinator, helping bring the mission to life through storytelling, creative content, and community connection. With a Bachelor of Social Work from Wayne State University, Izzie brings a unique combination of creativity and advocacy to her role. She is passionate about fertility, women’s health, pregnancy, and birth, and uses Brilora’s platforms to share meaningful stories, amplify diverse voices, provide education, and help individuals and families feel connected to the resources and community around them. Izzie especially loves capturing the real people and stories behind Brilora’s work—from grant recipients and community programs to the moments that show the impact of the mission. Outside of Brilora, Izzie enjoys photography and just about anything that gives her an opportunity to be creative. Most of all, she loves spending time with her family, who continue to inspire her every day.
View ProfileJoin Our Mission
Through sponsorship or donations, you can help us support more families on their fertility journey.