Founder, Aneden Gives
President & CEO, Aneden Consulting Inc
Olu Fagbemiro
My name is Olu Fagbemiro. I live in Washington State with my husband, Afolabi, our daughter, Anike and son, Timi. In 2018, I founded ANEDEN Gives because of my own fertility journey and the brave women I have met along the way.
In 2004, I was diagnosed with fibroids, benign tumors in the uterus, which grew quickly and by 2007 I had to have my first myomectomy because I had several fibroids including a large one that caused severe back pain and also put pressure on my bladder. After the 2007 procedure, the fibroids slowly grew back. By 2014 when I was ready to start trying for a baby, my doctor recommended we remove the fibroids before we tried conceiving in order to improve the health of the pregnancy and baby. So, a second myomectomy was scheduled.
MY FERTILITY JOURNEY
During that second myomectomy, my doctor discovered that my fallopian tubes seemed fused to other organs and may be blocked due to scar tissues. So, as she delivered the news that all the fibroids had been removed, she also had to tell me the bad news that my tubes may be blocked which meant that I may not be able to conceive naturally. She advised I confirm through a fertility clinic.
Once I had recovered well enough, I scheduled an appointment with the Houston Fertility Institute to assess the situation and they confirmed through a procedure called Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) that my fallopian tubes were blocked. We also tried a Hysteroscopy to unblock the tubes, but it was not successful. At this point, I sought professional help to help me deal with the psychological impact of a devastating event, I could have lost my mind.
In addition, about 6 months after the second myomectomy, we discovered that 5 new fibroids had recurred and suddenly I felt like I was a walking time-bomb. I felt like I was running out of time. My doctor advised me to seek fertility treatment right away and that is how my fertility journey started.
Invitro-fertilization was the recommended treatment for my condition (blocked fallopian tubes). My husband and I started the process and discovered very quickly that we had embarked on a difficult process. First of all, I discovered that my employer’s health insurance specifically excluded any form of fertility treatment. The health insurance offered by my husband’s employer covered some but I was not on that plan at the beginning of our treatment. We hurriedly tried to get me on the plan but ultimately had to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket. We started treatment sometime in January 2015 and by March 2015, I was pregnant with twins. I couldn’t have been happier, I was overjoyed and glowed from the inside out. Little did I know how short-lived my joy would be.
By May 2015, I had a miscarriage and lost both babies. It was the most difficult time of my life. It was the singular most painful experience of my life.
I was blessed to have the support of family and friends, and to have already been in counseling, so I was able to start the process of healing immediately. This was also the point in my life that I met the most wonderful people that helped me through the healing process.
During my healing process, I was not concerned about being able to afford another round of fertility treatments because I was fortunate enough to have had some fertility insurance coverage by that time and the financial ability to “do it again”. I understand this is not the same for so many families. For the average family that does not have appropriate insurance coverage, going through the first treatment can be financially crippling, let alone a second one.
About five months later, in October of 2015, we had an embryo transferred, I carried the pregnancy to 37 weeks and was delivered of a healthy baby girl via C-Section. Due to the previous two myomectomies I had gone through, it was unsafe for me or the baby to go through labor and a vaginal birth.
About 8 months after our daughter was born, I decided to change my life and start a new career. That decision made it possible for me to design a life that allowed me to create ANEDEN Gives.
Today, I am a much stronger and compassionate woman because of the journey I have been through. However, I am also very aware that my journey albeit difficult could have ended very differently if we had the financial difficulties most families have to struggle with. This is the reason why ANEDEN Gives exists. We know we cannot eliminate all of the difficulties the fertility journey entails, but we are going to try to remove one of them – the financial hurdle.
So, I invite you to join us as we take this journey with the brave families writing their own fertility stories. Let’s help them write stories with happy endings.
Board of DIRECTORS
TOLU ADEKUNLE
ENTREPRENEUR
Tolu Adekunle obtained her undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She is also a chartered accountant (FCCA) member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. She is an Entrepreneur and an Independent Consultant providing financial analysis, accounting and business planning services to Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s).
Tolu has a passion for startups, and over the years has been involved in helping many of her friends and family get their businesses up and running. She previously worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Her volunteer experience includes pastoring youth at church, fundraising for the church she attended whilst in Nigeria and working with Junior Achievement. Tolu enjoys spending time with her kids, writing, watching classic movies and reading. She also enjoys public speaking.
DR. REEM SABOUNI, MD
Director of Infertility and Oocyte Cryopreservation
A native Houstonian, Dr. Reem Sabouni completed her undergraduate studies at Rice University. She attended medical school at the University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, the sixth largest medical school in the country, where she served as class president of her medical school class during all four years.
Following her passion for women’s health, Dr. Sabouni pursued residency in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine at the University of Texas Memorial Hermann Hospital, located in the heart of the Texas Medical Center. She completed her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the legendary Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine in Norfolk, Virginia, the birthplace of IVF in America.
Dr. Sabouni is dedicated to empowering women and couples, particularly through education and understanding of options. She is published in multiple peer-reviewed journals and textbooks, as well as presented at international meetings on topics including: minimally invasive surgery, decreasing opioid use in infertility clinics, medical education and decreasing unscheduled bleeding associated with contraception use.
Dr. Sabouni is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and board eligible in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.
Dr. Kristin Brigger, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. Kristin Brigger is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She practices at Bella Obstetrics and Gynecology. Originally from Beaumont, Texas, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas A&M University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences. In 2006, she earned her Medical Doctorate from The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. Dr. Brigger completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Memorial Hermann Hospital in 2010.
During her junior year in medical school, Dr. Brigger was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society. In residency, Dr. Brigger received the Residency Teaching Award and was an Administrative Chief Resident from 2009-2010. Dr. Brigger has been honored as a “Texas Super Doctor Rising Star” in Texas Monthly Magazine every year, which is a prestigious award given to outstanding young physicians who have been in practice less than 10 years. She has also received Vitals “Patient Choice” award for multiple years.
Being from the area, Dr. Brigger intends to make Houston her permanent home and is committed to her patients’ gynecological care, being a part of their birthing experience and developing lifelong relationships with them. She has a particular interest in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and is trained in laparoscopic surgery. She is committed to offering her patients the most-updated surgical technology for their gynecological care.
Dr. Brigger is also active at the Women’s Hospital of Texas as a member of multiple committees to help ensure that her patients have the best care and experience during any hospitalization.
In her spare time, Dr. Brigger enjoys traveling, reading, biking, shopping and spending time with her husband, Eric, her daughters, Riley and Harper, and their beagle, Walker.
DOLAPO FAMAKINWA
GLOBAL BUSINESS STRATEGIST
Dolapo has 20+ years of global expertise across multiple industries and with executive
roles in operational excellence, supply chain strategy, inventory optimization,
procurement, strategic sourcing, lean supplier development, logistics, e-commerce,
import, export, outsourcing, project, and program management.
She graduated from Michigan State University (Bachelors, Supply Chain Management)
and Purdue University (Masters, Industrial Technology). She is Six Sigma Black Belt
Certified and has attained several other professional certifications. As an avid learner and
serial entrepreneur, she strongly believes in coaching and mentoring others to build
multiple streams of income through entrepreneurship.
Dolapo and her husband are blessed with 2 kids and live in a multi-generational
household with both sets of grandparents. In her spare time, she loves cooking, shopping,
kickboxing, traveling, hanging out with friends, listening to jazz music, making soy
candles and natural body products.
DR. S. PAUL ITAM II, MD, FACOG
BOARD CERTIFIED Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. Paul Itam is a highly trained OB/GYN specialist with Kelsey-Seybold who is committed to providing compassionate care.
After graduating from Johns Hopkins University with a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Biology in 2000, Dr. Itam went to Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine where he earned his medical degree. In 2009, he completed his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Baylor College of Medicine where he served as administrative chief resident during his fourth year.
Dr. Itam is a member of the Houston Gynecological & Obstetrical Society, the Harris County Medical Society (HCMS), and The Texas Medical Association (TMA). He’s also a Fellow of the American Congress (formerly College) of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
MODINAT 'ABBY' KOTUN
Senior Counsel, Litigation PNC Bank
Modinat “Abby” Kotun serves as Senior Counsel, Litigation at PNC Bank. Abby is board certified in labor and employment law and represents clients in a wide variety of labor and employment matters, including general employment counseling; defense of discrimination charges and lawsuits; and trade secret, unfair competition, and wage and hour litigation. She has experience representing employers before the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC).
Before starting her legal career, Abby formerly worked for a major energy company as a process engineer, pipeline project manager, and business analyst. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston Law Center, and while in law school, interned for a federal bankruptcy judge, served as the Internet Publishing Editor of the Houston Law Review, and volunteered as a student attorney in the civil and immigration clinics. She enjoys giving back through pro bono work and has represented individuals referred through Kids in Need of Defense (“KIND”) and the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program (“HVLP”). Abby also serves as a Vice President of the Nigerian-American Multicultural Council.
MODINAT "ABBY" KOTUN
ATTORNEY, REED SMITH
Modinat “Abby” Kotun is an associate in Reed Smith’s Labor and Employment Group. Abby is board certified in labor and employment law and represents clients in a wide variety of labor and employment matters, including general employment counseling; defense of discrimination charges and lawsuits; and trade secret, unfair competition, and wage and hour litigation. She has experience representing employers before the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC).
Before starting her legal career, Abby formerly worked for a major energy company as a process engineer, pipeline project manager, and business analyst. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston Law Center, and while in law school, interned for a federal bankruptcy judge, served as the Internet Publishing Editor of the Houston Law Review, and volunteered as a student attorney in the civil and immigration clinics. She enjoys giving back through pro bono work and has represented individuals referred through Kids in Need of Defense (“KIND”) and the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program (“HVLP”). Abby also serves as a Vice President of the Nigerian-American Multicultural Council.
DR. DARCY BROUGHTON, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY AND INFERTILITY
Dr. Darcy Broughton is a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist practicing at Pacific Northwest Fertility in Seattle. Originally from Bremerton, Washington, she completed all of her medical training out of state. She attended medical school at Brown University and completed her residency in OB/GYN at Oregon Health & Sciences University in Portland.
Most recently, she finished fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Washington University in St. Louis. She was thrilled to come home to Seattle and join the wonderful group at Pacific Northwest Fertility in 2018. During her fellowship, Dr. Broughton helped run an interdisciplinary Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome clinic and maintains an interest in management of this chronic disease.
Dr. Broughton’s other interests include family building in the LGBTQIA community, with a focus on transgender and non-binary persons.
LYNN MIDGETTE
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, RETIRED
Lynn Midgette has spent her career working within the Rural Electric Industry, holding a variety of executive positions with distribution cooperatives, G&T cooperatives and the industry’s largest private lender. She has held a variety of financial positions and was Chief Executive Officer of a large distribution system in Central Oklahoma. At Central, Ms. Midgette developed aggressive load control programs. She worked with staff and consumers on programs to shed load during peak consumption to lower wholesale power costs, saving the member/consumers millions of dollars on their electric bills.
At National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC), she was Vice President of Portfolio Management, overseeing distribution and generation and transmission lending, including credit analysis, loan underwriting, compliance and member service. She was a member and past chairman of CFC’s Management Advisory Council which was responsible for budgeting and planning for the organization. She was part of the team responsible for planning and oversight of the Company’s premier industry conferences. She taught financial lending classes for CFC and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) staff.
As part of the lending function Ms. Midgette led teams in numerous acquisitions, including Citizens’ Electric sale of its Kauai Island and Vermont properties, Aquila’s Kansas properties, and others. Her team was responsible for the analysis of financial feasibility and structured financing packages.
She was responsible for overseeing the analysis of feasibility of power supply projects, including conventional fuels and renewables. Many large projects involved structured financing packages, including power supply, acquisitions, transmission and distribution.
After her retirement from CFC, Ms. Midgette worked as a consultant for the industry. During a two-year assignment at Rayburn Country Electric, a Texas G&T, she was involved in the acquisition of the Calpine Freestone unit. As interim CFO, she analyzed feasibility of the project and arranged for financing. She worked with consultants to get an A rating from Standard and Poor’s for Rayburn Country.
Ms. Midgette last held the position of Chief Operations Officer at Bandera Electric Cooperative. She was instrumental the planning and financing with an ambitious program to extend broadband to the members of the cooperative. The project reached be breakeven point on its financials before the third year of operation. Cooperative entered a partnership with SoCore to install a large solar farm in Cooperative territory.
Ms. Midgette was directly involved in accounting and finance issues affecting the industry. She has been a member of the National Cooperative Business, Legislative and Tax Council, the National Society for Cooperative Accountants, and the 2004 CFC and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Capital Credits Study Committee. Ms. Midgette communicated frequently with FASB on industry-related accounting matters.
Ms. Midgette periodically does pro-bono work for a small non-profit.
She has a B.S in Business Administration and MBA. She recently changed the status of her CPA license to “retired”.
KIM NICHOLSON
RESOLVE.ORG INFERTILITY SUPPORT GROUP LEADER
Kim Nicholson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and minor in Business from University of Oregon. She has 10 years of experience within corporate recruiting at companies such as Starbucks and Amazon, including executive recruiting at Expedia. Kim is an infertility warrior herself, having gone through multiple fertility treatments and cycles, including IVF.
In early 2018, Kim founded her own local Resolve.org Peer-Led Support Group for individuals and couples dealing with infertility. Over the last 4 years, her group has offered monthly support to over 150 individuals/couples. Additionally, during the pandemic, she volunteered to lead several national Resolve.org infertility support meetings via Zoom. Recently, Kim was a guest on Dr. Lora Shahine’s podcast, Baby or Bust Episode 3. Kim is a mother to two IVF babies, wife and currently teaches fitness locally in West Seattle. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her two daughters and husband, reading, fashion, traveling to sunny locations and trying new restaurants.
DR. S. KEMI NURUDEEN, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY AND FERTILITY
Dr. Kemi Nurudeen is the Director of Fertility Preservation at the Houston Fertility Institute. She graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M University and earned her medical degree from Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine. She completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. where she was selected Chief Resident. Dr. Nurudeen went on to complete a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the New York Presbyterian Hospital – Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.
During her fellowship, Dr. Nurudeen’s clinical research focused on diminished ovarian reserve, fertility preservation, oocyte donation, and reproduction issues among patients with medical conditions, such as viral infection and autoimmune disease. She also studied the age-dependent changes in molecular components and regulatory mechanisms involved in oocyte aging. She has authored several peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and has presented her research nationally and internationally. She has been the recipient of numerous scholarships, honors, and awards throughout her academic career and medical training.
Dr. Nurudeen is double board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. She is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Society of Reproductive Medicine, Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Houston Gynecological and Obstetrical Society, Houston Medical Forum and Mary Susan Moore Medical Society. She is the Medical Director of the Sparkles of Life IVF Grant and has special interests in fertility preservation, diminished ovarian reserve, ovarian aging, and third party reproduction (egg donation and gestational carriers).
When helping patients reach their reproductive goals, Dr. Nurudeen strives for a holistic and personal touch through patient education, individualized care and top quality advanced medical technology.
DR. S. KEMI NURUDEEN, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY AND FERTILITY
Dr. Kemi Nurudeen is the Director of Fertility Preservation at the Houston Fertility Institute. She graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M University and earned her medical degree from Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine. She completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. where she was selected Chief Resident. Dr. Nurudeen went on to complete a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the New York Presbyterian Hospital – Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.
During her fellowship, Dr. Nurudeen’s clinical research focused on diminished ovarian reserve, fertility preservation, oocyte donation, and reproduction issues among patients with medical conditions, such as viral infection and autoimmune disease. She also studied the age-dependent changes in molecular components and regulatory mechanisms involved in oocyte aging. She has authored several peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and has presented her research nationally and internationally. She has been the recipient of numerous scholarships, honors, and awards throughout her academic career and medical training.
Dr. Nurudeen is double board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. She is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Society of Reproductive Medicine, Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Houston Gynecological and Obstetrical Society, Houston Medical Forum and Mary Susan Moore Medical Society. She is the Medical Director of the Sparkles of Life IVF Grant and has special interests in fertility preservation, diminished ovarian reserve, ovarian aging, and third party reproduction (egg donation and gestational carriers).
When helping patients reach their reproductive goals, Dr. Nurudeen strives for a holistic and personal touch through patient education, individualized care and top quality advanced medical technology.
SHADE SHOMADE-RAJI
TAX LAWYER, AMAZON
Shade Shomade-Raji obtained her undergraduate degree in Math from Spelman College and her Juris Doctorate (JD) law degree from the University of Georgia. She was a Tax practitioner for Deloitte (USA & Canada) before joining Amazon in Seattle, WA. She is currently licensed to practice law in the state of Texas.
Shade suffered from infertility for several years requiring her to undergo surgeries for fibroids removal and endometriosis treatment. After undergoing several fertility treatments, she and her husband were blessed with a baby girl in 2018. This experience led to her interest in supporting families experiencing fertility problems. She has taken it upon herself to provide both emotional and financial support to individuals experiencing difficulties.
Upon learning about ANEDEN Gives, Ms. Shomade-Raji determined it was the right fit for her to further her goal through an established and reputable organization. She became a volunteer at ANEDEN Gives in 2021 and transitioned to her director role in 2022. Ms. Shomade-Raje particularly enjoys mentoring others, and is currently a mentor through the Amazon Women in Tax (WIT) program and the Amazon Emerging Leaders in Finance (ELiF) program established for students from Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). She is also a member of the Amazon Tax Mental Health Wellness group. In her free time, she enjoys time with her husband and two kids (yes, she was blessed with a son in 2020).
SHADE SHOMADE-RAJI
TAX LAWYER, AMAZON
Shade Shomade-Raji obtained her undergraduate degree in Math from Spelman College and her Juris Doctorate (JD) law degree from the University of Georgia. She was a Tax practitioner for Deloitte (USA & Canada) before joining Amazon in Seattle, WA. She is currently licensed to practice law in the state of Texas.
Shade suffered from infertility for several years requiring her to undergo surgeries for fibroids removal and endometriosis treatment. After undergoing several fertility treatments, she and her husband were blessed with a baby girl in 2018. This experience led to her interest in supporting families experiencing fertility problems. She has taken it upon herself to provide both emotional and financial support to individuals experiencing difficulties.
Upon learning about ANEDEN Gives, Ms. Shomade-Raji determined it was the right fit for her to further her goal through an established and reputable organization. She became a volunteer at ANEDEN Gives in 2021 and transitioned to her director role in 2022. Ms. Shomade-Raje particularly enjoys mentoring others, and is currently a mentor through the Amazon Women in Tax (WIT) program and the Amazon Emerging Leaders in Finance (ELiF) program established for students from Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). She is also a member of the Amazon Tax Mental Health Wellness group. In her free time, she enjoys time with her husband and two kids (yes, she was blessed with a son in 2020).
Dr. LATASHA STEELE, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED OBSTRETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
Dr. Latasha Steele is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Steele practices at Bella Obstetrics and Gynecology. She delivers infants and performs surgeries at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas.
Dr. Steele grew up in a small town in Oklahoma and became a highly touted track and field high school athlete. While earning a coveted track scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, she received honorary distinctions as a scholar-athlete & monogram award winner. She then graduated with a degree in psychology and pre-professional studies.
Dr. Steele received her 2009 medical degree from the University of Kansas. She became interested in obstetrics while working in a birth center community health project and helped coordinate health supply drives for low-income women.
In 2013, Dr. Steele completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas at Houston, where she graciously served as Administrative Chief Resident. She is a member of the North American Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG).
Dr. Steele and her husband, a retired Captain in the United States Army, have made Houston their permanent home.
Dr. Steele is very passionate about women’s health care and she strives to maintain long-term relationships with all of her patients. Dr. Steele is most interested in preventative obstetric and gynecologic medicine, adolescent gynecology, minimally invasive surgery, and health-related fitness.
Dr. Steele is also interested in being a leader for women’s health care on both the national level and in her community, as this has been reflected in her serving in a multitude of committees and high leadership positions over the past several years. In her spare time, Dr. Steele loves traveling, reading, boating, cycling, and spending time with her family.
Dr. Steele grew up in a small town in Oklahoma and became a highly touted track and field high school athlete. While earning a coveted track scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, she received honorary distinctions as a scholar-athlete & monogram award winner. She then graduated with a degree in psychology and pre-professional studies.
Dr. Steele received her 2009 medical degree from the University of Kansas. She became interested in obstetrics while working in a birth center community health project and helped coordinate health supply drives for low-income women.
dR. bAYO tOJUOLA
bOARD CERTIFIED UROLOGIST
Dr. Olubayo Tojuola, a board-certified urologist, earned his undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary biomedical sciences from the University of Florida in Gainesville and his medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine. He completed an internship in general surgery and a residency in urology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, followed by a fellowship in robotic microsurgery and male infertility at the PUR Clinic in Orlando, Fla.
Among the conditions Dr. Tojuola treats are kidney stones, male and female urinary issues, infertility and urologic cancer, including prostate, kidney, bladder and testicular. The distinctive features of his practice include robotic surgery, management of BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia, a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland), UroLift Center of Excellence (a minimally invasive procedure that provides rapid relief and recovery from BPH symptoms), and caring for patients who are dealing with infertility issues.
Dr. Tojuola’s patient-centered practice philosophy focuses on providing an atmosphere where patients feel like family members and know he is both empathetic and sensitive to their needs. He strives to insure that, after any visit, a patient is confident that he cares. Dr. Tojuola enjoys sports, reading and world travel in his leisure time. He speaks Yoruba, Hausa and a limited amount of Spanish.
Dr. stephanie rothenberg, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY
Dr Stephanie Rothenberg is a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist in Seattle, WA. She serves as the Co-Director of the Center for LGBTQ+ Fertility at Pacific Northwest Fertility. After attending medical school at the University of Washington, she completed both her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. Much of her research has focused on transgender fertility preservation, with publications in the New England Journal of Medicine and Pediatrics. She has been named Top Doc by Seattle Met Magazine in 2020-2022
She is also a former fertility patient, undergoing IVF and having her daughter in 2021. She chronicled her fertility journey on Instagram @dr.rothenberg.
catherine fraser
chief development officer
Catherine Fraser is the Chief Development Officer at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, where she is currently working on a $500 million campaign. Catherine has a breadth of experience that includes work in education, for museums, and human services. She has secured grants from private foundations, the US Department of Housing, the Department of Justice, and the State of California. Before coming to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, she most recently served as the Development Director at Crisis House, a social services organization.
Before joining Crisis House, Catherine worked as a consultant for CCS Fundraising. At CCS, she served as Campaign Counsel for a variety of organizations.
Catherine approaches projects with innovation, enthusiasm, and strategic planning. Having worked with organizations around the country, she has advised on campaign planning and development, donor management and reporting major-gift solicitation and stewardship, and the development of organization-specific fundraising metrics.
Catherine’s greatest strengths include developing donor relationships, motivating staff and volunteers, and realizing major gift success.
Catherine is passionate about helping to create an equitable world. She strives to be an active community member and a hands-on mom. Outside of work, she volunteers with the Junior League to help on issues of former foster youth and human trafficking and supports the work of the ACLU as a long-time member and advocate.
Allyson Malizia
manager, npi operations
Allyson is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University’s Smeal College of Business and of Emory University’s Goizueta M.B.A. program. By day, Allyson is a San Francisco based supply chain and operations professional with 20+ years working in global supply management, manufacturing, procurement, and new product operations program management. By night, she is a spouse and mom of one, having personally experienced the highs and lows of the IVF and fertility journey.
Allyson is excited to draw on her business and operations experiences as well as her personal fertility experiences to support the deserving families and grant recipients of ANEDEN Gives. In her free time, Allyson enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, traveling, reading, cooking, trying new restaurants, and walking the hills of San Francisco.
chilasa 'Ify' oKEREKE
engineer
Ify Okereke is a Geoscientist that works with an Oil & Gas firm. She graduated from North Carolina State University with degrees in Electrical & Computer Engineering and a minor in Mathematics. She has spent the last 17+ years in multiple facets of the energy sector.
Ify and her husband battled with infertility for several years, having to go through several fertility treatments in hopes of becoming parents. This experience led to her passionate interest in supporting families battling infertility. Currently, Ify mentors friends and family who are considering fertility treatments as well as those who have already begun the process. This opportunity is great because it gives her an opportunity to expand this mentorship and assistance to people outside her current network.
In her spare time, Ify loves spending time with her 2 miracle babies, working out and travelling the world.
ADAOBI ONIWINDE
POLICY & PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER
Adaobi K. Oniwinde is currently the Policy & Partnerships Manager at All On, an impact investing firm based in Lagos, focused on increasing access to commercial energy products and services for under-served and un-served off-grid energy markets in Nigeria, with a special focus on the Niger Delta.
Prior to that, she was an External Relations executive at Shell International in The Netherlands, responsible for reputation management, developing and managing communications strategies and stakeholder engagements that addressed the impact of Shell’s operations in Nigeria.
Before her four-year stint in The Hague, Adaobi spent eight years as a communications specialist for Shell Companies in Nigeria, first as Head, Editorial Services then Internal Communications Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Adaobi has worked in corporate communications throughout a 20+ year career, beginning as an intern at the Clinton White House, where as a Press Office intern, she contributed to speeches for then-First Lady, Hillary Clinton—a role that required a West Wing Office and full U.S. Secret Service clearance.
Her career has included entertainment PR with Rogers & Cowan in Los Angeles, The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids; AARP where she served as a Speechwriter for members of the Board and an Internal Communications Consultant at The World Bank, all of which have earned her a broad international network that includes government, media, entertainment and the oil & gas sectors.
After a very rewarding career in Europe and the United States, she has returned to Nigeria where her professional and private endeavors are now more focused primarily on giving back to communities and populations in need.
A true global citizen, Adaobi enjoys exploring the universe with her co-adventurer of 21 years and their four children. Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro and running the Great Wall of China Marathon are amongst her favorite adventures.
A journalist by training, Adaobi is a closet writer who hopes to publish books someday.
alease daniel
embryologist
Alease graduated from North Carolina State University in 2018 with a degree in Genetics and a minor in Biotechnology. While at NCSU, she developed a passion for reproductive health, women’s health, and comprehensive sex education, but she wasn’t sure how that would translate into a career. Her degrees gave her great lab experience, and she wanted to utilize that while also working with patients.
Alease went into the field right after graduation, and over the years, she realized just how little information there is on what actually goes on behind the scenes in the lab. She decided to create her Instagram and TikTok, which has grown into a great way to educate patients. Infertility is not an easy journey, and Alease believes understanding what happens in the lab can help give patients peace of mind during their treatment.
Her pages have now grown to over 170k followers, and she has been featured on Buzzfeed, Good Morning America, mom.com, and more.
shani badnani
bsn, rn
Shani Badnani was born in Israel and moved to Nigeria at a young age. She lived in Lagos for twelve years before moving to the United States with her family. Originally graduating with Chemistry from Georgia Tech, she decided to change careers and pursue her passion in nursing. She graduated at the top of her class with an Award of Excellence from Emory University and now works at Pacific Northwest Fertility as an IVF coordinator, educating patients about their testing, medications, and treatment plans. Following her passion for women’s health, she has been accepted into the Women’s Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner program at Emory University. This program will allow her to dive deeper into many diagnoses to treat all individuals, including people of marginalized identities. With her upbringing in Nigeria and nursing experience, she hopes to bring equitable healthcare to marginalized communities and help those diagnosed with infertility to achieve their family goals.
Board of ADVISORS
Dr. Mazen Abdallah, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED Obstetrics and Gynecology
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Dr Abdallah obtained his undergraduate degree in Biology and a medical degree from the American University of Beirut. He then completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Wayne State University / Detroit Medical Center where he annually received the award for excellence in academic achievement. Dr Abdallah went on to complete a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Wayne State University / Detroit Medical Center; during the fellowship he received the “Outstanding Junior Faculty” award.
He has special interests in male factor infertility and female infertility due to advanced reproductive age. Dr Abdallah is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He has published multiple articles in peer reviewed journals and presented in national meetings. He has been repeatedly named among the top doctors in the greater Houston area. Dr Abdallah is the medical director of Houston Fertility Institute; he also holds a faculty position as an assistant professor at the McGovern Medical School / University of Texas Health Science Center at the Houston OBGYN Department.
DR. LATASHA STEELE
BOARD CERTIFIED OBSTRETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
Dr. Latasha Steele is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Steele practices at Bella Obstetrics and Gynecology. She delivers infants and performs surgeries at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas.
Dr. Steele grew up in a small town in Oklahoma and became a highly touted track and field high school athlete. While earning a coveted track scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, she received honorary distinctions as a scholar-athlete & monogram award winner. She then graduated with a degree in psychology and pre-professional studies.
Dr. Steele received her 2009 medical degree from the University of Kansas. She became interested in obstetrics while working in a birth center community health project and helped coordinate health supply drives for low-income women.
In 2013, Dr. Steele completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas at Houston, where she graciously served as Administrative Chief Resident. She is a member of the North American Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG).
Dr. Steele and her husband, a retired Captain in the United States Army, have made Houston their permanent home.
Dr. Steele is very passionate about women’s health care and she strives to maintain long-term relationships with all of her patients. Dr. Steele is most interested in preventative obstetric and gynecologic medicine, adolescent gynecology, minimally invasive surgery, and health-related fitness.
Dr. Steele is also interested in being a leader for women’s health care on both the national level and in her community, as this has been reflected in her serving in a multitude of committees and high leadership positions over the past several years. In her spare time, Dr. Steele loves traveling, reading, boating, cycling, and spending time with her family.
Dr. Steele grew up in a small town in Oklahoma and became a highly touted track and field high school athlete. While earning a coveted track scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, she received honorary distinctions as a scholar-athlete & monogram award winner. She then graduated with a degree in psychology and pre-professional studies.
Dr. Steele received her 2009 medical degree from the University of Kansas. She became interested in obstetrics while working in a birth center community health project and helped coordinate health supply drives for low-income women.
LYNN MIDGETTE
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, RETIRED
Lynn Midgette has spent her career working within the Rural Electric Industry, holding a variety of executive positions with distribution cooperatives, G&T cooperatives and the industry’s largest private lender. She has held a variety of financial positions and was Chief Executive Officer of a large distribution system in Central Oklahoma. At Central, Ms. Midgette developed aggressive load control programs. She worked with staff and consumers on programs to shed load during peak consumption to lower wholesale power costs, saving the member/consumers millions of dollars on their electric bills.
At National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC), she was Vice President of Portfolio Management, overseeing distribution and generation and transmission lending, including credit analysis, loan underwriting, compliance and member service. She was a member and past chairman of CFC’s Management Advisory Council which was responsible for budgeting and planning for the organization. She was part of the team responsible for planning and oversight of the Company’s premier industry conferences. She taught financial lending classes for CFC and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) staff.
As part of the lending function Ms. Midgette led teams in numerous acquisitions, including Citizens’ Electric sale of its Kauai Island and Vermont properties, Aquila’s Kansas properties, and others. Her team was responsible for the analysis of financial feasibility and structured financing packages.
She was responsible for overseeing the analysis of feasibility of power supply projects, including conventional fuels and renewables. Many large projects involved structured financing packages, including power supply, acquisitions, transmission and distribution.
After her retirement from CFC, Ms. Midgette worked as a consultant for the industry. During a two-year assignment at Rayburn Country Electric, a Texas G&T, she was involved in the acquisition of the Calpine Freestone unit. As interim CFO, she analyzed feasibility of the project and arranged for financing. She worked with consultants to get an A rating from Standard and Poor’s for Rayburn Country.
Ms. Midgette last held the position of Chief Operations Officer at Bandera Electric Cooperative. She was instrumental the planning and financing with an ambitious program to extend broadband to the members of the cooperative. The project reached be breakeven point on its financials before the third year of operation. Cooperative entered a partnership with SoCore to install a large solar farm in Cooperative territory.
Ms. Midgette was directly involved in accounting and finance issues affecting the industry. She has been a member of the National Cooperative Business, Legislative and Tax Council, the National Society for Cooperative Accountants, and the 2004 CFC and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Capital Credits Study Committee. Ms. Midgette communicated frequently with FASB on industry-related accounting matters.
Ms. Midgette periodically does pro-bono work for a small non-profit.
She has a B.S in Business Administration and MBA. She recently changed the status of her CPA license to “retired”.
NIGERIA
Board of ADVISORS
YEWANDE ZACCHEUS
ChAIRMAN, ANEDEN GIVES NIGERIA BOARD OF ADVISORS
CEO, EVENTFUL NIGERIA LTD.
Yewande Zaccheaus is a Lawyer, Banker, Author and an Entrepreneur. She has a Law degree from University of Lagos, Masters in Law from Cambridge University and attended the AMP of the IESE Business School, Barcelona.
She started her career in the legal department of Nigerian American Merchant Bank, then after a brief stint in private practice moved to Ecobank Nigeria PLC as Company Secretary and Legal Adviser. She is the author of 4 inspirational books(God’s Waiting Room 1-4) written to encourage families experiencing delay in child bearing.
She is the Founder & CEO of Eventful Ltd an events planning company established in 2002. Yewande is passionate about redefining the events and entertainment landscape
of Nigeria. She is the convener of The Food Souk, an annual food and drinks fair, The Beauty Souk, a niche fair for beauty enthusiasts and The Fashion Souk, a platform for fashion entrepreneurs across the entire fashion value chain.
She serves on several boards as a director and is a Founding Trustee of WIMBIZ( Women in Management, Business and Public Service)
YEWANDE ZACCHEUS
ChAIRMAN, ANEDEN GIVES NIGERIA BOARD OF ADVISORS
CEO, EVENTFUL NIGERIA LTD.
Yewande Zaccheaus is a Lawyer, Banker, Author and an Entrepreneur. She has a Law degree from University of Lagos, Masters in Law from Cambridge University and attended the AMP of the IESE Business School, Barcelona.
She started her career in the legal department of Nigerian American Merchant Bank, then after a brief stint in private practice moved to Ecobank Nigeria PLC as Company Secretary and Legal Adviser. She is the author of 4 inspirational books(God’s Waiting Room 1-4) written to encourage families experiencing delay in child bearing.
She is the Founder & CEO of Eventful Ltd an events planning company established in 2002. Yewande is passionate about redefining the events and entertainment landscape
of Nigeria. She is the convener of The Food Souk, an annual food and drinks fair, The Beauty Souk, a niche fair for beauty enthusiasts and The Fashion Souk, a platform for fashion entrepreneurs across the entire fashion value chain.
She serves on several boards as a director and is a Founding Trustee of WIMBIZ( Women in Management, Business and Public Service)
BAMIDELE SEUN RASAKI
lawyer & FOUNDER, POP-A-TREAT
Bamidele Seun Rasaki is a lawyer. She studied law at the University of Kent at Canterbury and subsequently obtained a Masters in Maritime Law at the University College London. She practiced law for some years before joining a financial regulatory institution in Nigeria as an in house counsel. Shortly after, she began her career as a bank examiner in the same institution. She is also a Designate Compliance Professional.
In 2014, Bamidele founded a luxury gourmet popcorn brand in Lagos called Pop-A-Treat.
She has a passion for helping women especially in the area of counseling.
ADAOBI ONIWINDE
POLICY & PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER, ALL ON
Adaobi K. Oniwinde is currently the Policy & Partnerships Manager at All On, an impact investing firm based in Lagos, focused on increasing access to commercial energy products and services for under-served and un-served off-grid energy markets in Nigeria, with a special focus on the Niger Delta.
Prior to that, she was an External Relations executive at Shell International in The Netherlands, responsible for reputation management, developing and managing communications strategies and stakeholder engagements that addressed the impact of Shell’s operations in Nigeria.
Before her four-year stint in The Hague, Adaobi spent eight years as a communications specialist for Shell Companies in Nigeria, first as Head, Editorial Services then Internal Communications Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Adaobi has worked in corporate communications throughout a 20+ year career, beginning as an intern at the Clinton White House, where as a Press Office intern, she contributed to speeches for then-First Lady, Hillary Clinton—a role that required a West Wing Office and full U.S. Secret Service clearance.
Her career has included entertainment PR with Rogers & Cowan in Los Angeles, The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids; AARP where she served as a Speechwriter for members of the Board and an Internal Communications Consultant at The World Bank, all of which have earned her a broad international network that includes government, media, entertainment and the oil & gas sectors.
After a very rewarding career in Europe and the United States, she has returned to Nigeria where her professional and private endeavors are now more focused primarily on giving back to communities and populations in need.
A true global citizen, Adaobi enjoys exploring the universe with her co-adventurer of 21 years and their four children. Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro and running the Great Wall of China Marathon are amongst her favorite adventures.
A journalist by training, Adaobi is a closet writer who hopes to publish books someday.
Dr. Faye IKETUBOSIN
FOUNDER, GEORGE'S MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER LAGOS NiGERIA
Dr Iketubosin received his medical education at the College of Medicine University of Ibadan where he qualified in 1982. In 1986, after his mandatory National service and an 18-month stint at the University College Hospital Ibadan Nigeria, he proceeded to the United Kingdom to complete his training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Whilst in the U.K, he worked extensively in the areas of General Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Menopause, Infertility, Assisted Reproductive Technology and Endoscopic Surgery. He obtained the Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG) in 1989 and was elected to the Fellowship of the same college (FRCOG) in 2003.
In 2006 he established George’s Memorial Medical Centre where he is the Medical Director.
Dr. Iketubosin is the immediate past President of Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health (AFRH). He also chairs the Data Registry Committee of the Association and is a member of the Lagos State Government Committee on ART monitoring.
DEVELOPMENT
GIULIA VOLINI
DEVELOPMENT TEAM, ANEDEN GIVES
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, ANEDEN CONSULTING
Giulia Volini currently works for Aneden Consulting, where she supports the firm’s CEO in leading a team of electrical engineers. Giulia has a passion for non-profits, and fundraising for causes that she cares about. Over the years and worked and volunteered at non-profits and on political campaigns, including the Lincoln Park Zoo, Big Shoulders Fund, and the Committee to Elect Judge Cecilia Horan. helping each organization meet its development needs. Giulia enjoys reading, running, tennis, and spending time with her family and friends.
Board of ADVISORS
SHAYO BAKARE BS, LPN
HEALTH CARE ADVISOR
Shayo Bakare is a healthcare leader with over 15 years of experience in the areas of nursing, healthcare administration, and business process improvement for government and commercial health clients. She obtained her Bachelors Degree from Rutgers University in New Jersey and her Licensed Practical Nursing degree from Regency Health Institute in Washington DC.
Shayo has a passion for supporting non- profit organizations who provide specifically provides dietary and hygiene services to those in need within her community. In her spare time, Shayo enjoys riding her bike with her family and exploring new areas to dine in the Washington DC area.
Shavonn Richardson
THINK AND INK GRANTS CEO & BLUE FOWERS ORG CO-FOUNDER & COO
Shavonn Richardson, MBA, Certified Grant Writer® is Founder and CEO of Think and Ink Grant Consulting™. As the 4th generation of her family giving back to the community, Shavonn has dedicated her life to serving the community as a philanthropist, volunteer, and community leader.
She worked in the Enterprise Business and Community Engagement office at Bank of America, supporting the bank’s sponsorship and grant-making efforts in metro Atlanta and has 13 years combined banking industry experience in the areas of corporate social responsibility, strategy and business development.
She co-founded the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Blue Flowers Org in 2014, empowering women and the men in their lives against prostate cancer (www.blueflowers.org). In 2015, Shavonn’s work was recognized by former President Barack H. Obama as she received the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
Shavonn is a member of and abides by the professional standards set forth by the Grant Professionals Association. She regularly contributes to the advancement of grant professionals and speaks at regional conferences. She is a 2017 Association of Fundraising Professionals Diversity Fellow and is a member and active volunteer with The Junior League of Atlanta.
Shavonn earned a B.B.A. from Howard University and an M.B.A. from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University in Atlanta, GA.
KATHERINE PREWITT
CEO & PRESIDENT, ASCEND TO EXCELLENCE
Katherine Prewitt has nearly two decades of success creating and directing strategic initiatives in collaborative settings in cross-functional, team based environments by aligning resources, stakeholders, tools, customer focus, and processes with business needs to streamline workflow, foster strategic objectives, and build a foundation for sustainable success.
She has a reputation for unwavering integrity, building strong teams and relationships, and creating a culture of performance and accountability. Highly effective communicator that influences and motivates at all levels of the organization. Highly flexible in diverse cultures and varying business practices.
ALEXA BENYAK
MARKETING MANAGER
Alexa Benyak is a problem solver with a keen understanding of customer experience and market opportunities. She currently works for Bright Horizons, helping parents find quality childcare in major West Coast markets.
She graduated from George Washington University, with a BA in International Affairs in 2006 and began her professional marketing career in New York City, before moving to Seattle in 2010. She obtained her MBA from the University of Washington, where she furthered her focus on marketing and business development.
Alexa Benyak is passionate about supporting families. When she is not working or trying to grow the Aneden Gives foundation, she also volunteers for PEPS (Program for Early Parent Support) and Bright Spaces. At home, you are likely to find her rocking out to Disney tunes, while dancing, and also cooking dinner with her daughters Audrey and Margot.
