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. 

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.

In her spare time, Brandy enjoys strategizing new marketing and pro-life research ideas and helping with the youth ministry at her church.

Jeff is a longtime educator who has taught and coached students from second grade through the post-graduate level. He obtained his B.A. in History from Truman State University, M.A. in Educational Administration from Lindenwood University, and earned a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in Teaching-Learning Processes from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. 

As Director of Research, Jeff curated content from many of Vitae’s Emotional Research studies and has shared the findings with individuals and organizations across the country. His work has helped establish Vitae Foundation as a prominent research authority on pro-life messaging. He has also worked as the Executive Director of the National Consortium of Pro-Women’s Healthcare Centers and served at Marygrove, a ministry of St. Louis Catholic Charities.

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.

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, two busy granddaughters, and a grandson.

Craig is the Chief Investment Officer for the Public School and Education Employee Retirement Systems of Missouri. As CIO, he directs the management of the Systems $55 billion investment portfolio. Craig has been the CIO for the Retirement Systems for twenty-five years. He earned an MBA from the University of Notre Dame and a BA degree from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. Craig is a member of the Board of Directors for both Benedictine College and Helias Catholic High School. He also sits on the Jefferson City Diocese Lay Retirement Committee and chairs the Helias Investment Committee. He and his wife, Susan, are parents to four sons and two daughters-in-law.

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.  

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. 

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.