Brandy has led in the pro-life movement for well over a decade. Her passion and energy for the mission increased while she served as a pregnancy center director in her early years. Later, she was recruited as the Director of Marketing and Research Application at Vitae Foundation. Brandy and her husband Matt, would go on to launch Cornerstone Marketing Strategies, building a company that assists pregnancy centers using research-backed digital marketing strategies.

In 2018, Former Planned Parenthood director turned pro-life advocate Abby Johnson asked Brandy to join her as the VP of Operations at And Then There Were None to help more abortion workers leave the abortion industry while the movie Unplanned gained popularity. Together, they also launched ProLove Ministries, a pro-life organization that seeks to fill gaps in the movement.

After the Dobbs decision was announced in 2022, Brandy was pursued by Vitae Foundation’s board of directors to lead as the next President. She now leads Vitae Foundation– an organization that facilitates lifesaving research and applies the findings to create messaging strategies to share with others so, together, we can make abortion unthinkable.

Brandy is a founding board member of Abortion Survivors Network with abortion survivor Melissa Ohden, continues to assist as a board member at And Then There Were None, serves with the United Nations through the Organization of American States as a CSO to protect human rights internationally, and is also a Commissioner with the Missouri Baptist Convention’s Christian Life Commission, the public policy arm of the MBC.

Together, Brandy and her husband, Matt, love strategizing new marketing and pro-life research ideas on date nights, helping with the youth ministry at their church, and raising their five children.

Debbie Stokes, a 20-year veteran of Vitae Foundation, has been involved with almost every aspect of the organization. Stokes played a critical role in producing Vitae’s television commercials, which the organization was known for, even being referenced as “The TV People” for many years.

Additionally, in 2003, when Vitae made a tectonic shift to call-for-help ads targeted at women experiencing unplanned pregnancies, Stokes was there, going into markets and walking through some of the most crime-ridden neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Washington, DC, and New York City to meet with pregnancy center directors. The information she gathered helped determine not only the right messaging but also where in the large market, to air the ads as well.

In 2007, Stokes helped Vitae transition to its first print ad campaign on the subways of New York City, the abortion capital of the country.

Serving as Vitae’s President, Stokes made sure everything produced was in line with Vitae’s vast knowledge base of research. She helped lead several of Vitae’s research studies working closely with Dr. Charles Kenny, one of the nation’s top consumer psychologists. As an educator, she is gifted with the ability not only to absorb the complicated research but fully share it with others in a way that makes it easily understandable, including how it’s applied. Debbie has a bachelor’s degree in child development from the University of Missouri. She and her husband Rick have been married for 44 years and have been blessed with two daughters and three grandchildren.

Gail began her career with Vitae in 2006 as an Accounting Specialist. Gail brought to Vitae over 12 years of accounting experience from the Missouri state government. She started out as the Accountant for the Missouri Veterans Home in St. Louis; advanced to Fiscal Accountant at the Office of Administration – Division of Design and Construction; moved up to Fiscal Manager at the Division of Child Support Division; then was promoted to Fiscal Officer of the Missouri State Fair.

Gail graduated from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in accounting.

When Gail is not working at Vitae, she enjoys her furry animals at home along with reading and traveling with her husband around the United States. Her proudest accomplishment is her title of Grandma, made possible by her son, Wesley, and daughter-in-law Melissa (she is “GG” for Grandma Gail). Her marriage to Don also made her a stepmother of 7 children.

Doug is the Vice President of National Sales for Learfield, a collegiate sports marketing and media company which represents more than 200 of the nation’s most prestigious colleges. Doug has been a part of the Learfield team for over 35 years and has had the pleasure of helping this organization build their brands and successfully position themselves to advertise their products and services. Doug has been involved with Vitae Foundation from the very first fundraising event, a backyard barbecue which over the years expanded to eight large banquets which host thousands of people each year. Doug’s experience with media and branding makes him a valuable leader for Vitae Foundation. He and his wife, Kimie, are parents to four sons, two beautiful daughters-in-law, and two busy granddaughters.

Larry served his country for two years in the U.S. Army. He also served his state for twenty years in the Missouri Legislature, which led him to contract lobbying services for several clients. Larry’s dedication and experience working for and with the government makes him a valued member of the board of directors. He has been a faithful supporter of Vitae since its beginning and continues to serve the organization however he can. Larry enjoys his retirement tending to cattle on the family farm and being involved in church and community activities. His wife Beth is a legislator assistant in the Missouri Capitol.

Kyle earned degrees in Accounting and Business Administration from Rockhurst University. He currently serves as the CFO for PFSbrands, the parent company of several food service brands. As a 100% employee-owned business, Kyle takes pride in working with the over 1,500 locations in over forty states across the U.S. to help them improve their financial performance as well as provide strategies to grow their businesses. Kyle and his wife Emily are parents to three beautiful children: Jace, and twins – Joelle and Jackson. 

Jason works as a financial planner where he works with families, small business owners, and charitable organizations. In 2020, he wanted to serve his community in a greater capacity and was ordained as a deacon.  Jason’s diverse background in both the financial world and the faith community allows him to assist Vitae Foundation in several areas. Jason and his wife Kristee have three children, Kaitlyn, Luke, and Mia.  

Dr. Bruchalski received his M.D. from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Eastern Virginia Medical Center and the Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine. He received board certification in 1993.  During his medical training, Dr. Bruchalski performed abortions believing he was helping women. After a spiritual awakening, he realized abortion was not achieving freedom, health, and happiness for women and started his own pro-life medical practice. Dr. Bruchalski’s experience on both sides of the issue makes him an invaluable member of Vitae Foundation’s Board of Directors. 

Melissa is the survivor of a failed saline infusion abortion, but like every survivor, she is so much more than what she’s overcome. Melissa is a Master’s level prepared Social Worker and author. She is the Founder and CEO of The Abortion Survivors Network, the only healing and advocacy organization for abortion survivors and their families worldwide.  Melissa’s firsthand encounter with abortion, and previous involvement as a Vitae Foundation board member, make her a wonderful resource and addition to the Board of Directors. Melissa and her husband, Ryan, reside in Kansas City, Missouri with their two daughters, Olivia and Ava. 

St. Louis businessman and philanthropist John Sinclair is best known for his community development as co-owner of St. Louis’s most recognizable Auto Groups, Dave Sinclair. John and his siblings have operated several businesses in the community over the last thirty-four years. After growing up watching his mother work in the Pro-Life Movement at Birthright, his pro-life convictions fueled him to become involved. John is dedicated to working alongside Vitae to build a culture of life.