U.S. Donor Conceived Council relies exclusively upon the hard work and dedication of our all-volunteer executive board and team.
Learn more about USDCC’s history and mission here.
Executive Board
MELISSA (“MEL”) BORNICO
President, Vice President of Development
she/her
Mel was conceived from an anonymous egg donor and learned this just before turning 22. She has a degree in neuroscience with experience working in medicine, research, bioethics, and human rights.
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After Mel’s discovery, she connected with countless other DCP and started noticing common threads in their stories. It then became clear that these “common threads” were manifestations of systemic problems in the fertility industry at large, which compelled her to take on an advocacy role via co-founding USDCC. Mel spearheads the organization’s fundraising initiatives as VP of Development, and she is always trying her hand at new projects.
KATHERINE (“KAT”) BOLDT
Secretary, Vice President of Mental Health Initiatives
she/her
Kat Boldt, LPC, was raised by a single mother by choice and has always known she was donor conceived. As a licensed counselor in Ohio, she specializes in providing affirming care to adult clients exploring sexuality, gender identity, and reproductive technologies, including donor conception.
RACHEL SCHIFF
Treasurer
they/them
Rachel is double donor-conceived via anonymous egg and anonymous sperm, and knew this from 7 years old. They received their MSc in International Business Management with a Marketing Pathway from Kingston University London.
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Currently living in New York, their professional experience focuses on mission-driven organizations within the hospitality and non-profit sectors. Outside of work, they enjoy live music, Broadway shows, and trying all the restaurants in the city.
JAMIE SPIERS
Vice President of Stakeholder & Government Affairs
she/her
Jamie is a sperm-donor conceived person raised by a lesbian single mother by choice. She has experience consulting on projects related to third-party reproduction.
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Prior to joining USDCC, Jamie served as a key consultant to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) in the development of educational materials mandated by the Donor-Conceived Persons & Families of Donor-Conceived Persons Protection Act.
Our Volunteers
EMILY DERRICK, LMFT
Mental Health Team
she/her
Emily is a reproductive therapist, supporting all members of third-party constellations in California. She is a wife and mom of two, as well as a gestational carrier of one, for two dads via known donation, and the biological mother of approximately six or more children via egg donation. Emily donated eggs via matched cycles to opposite-sex and same-sex couples, and a single mother by choice, and has contact with one family.
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Formerly a Director and Case Manager at an egg donation and surrogacy agency, Emily’s varied personal and professional experience provides unique background as her clients guide her on their own journey of exploration. Emily is a member of ASRM and their Mental Health Professional Group, SEEDS, and the Donor Conceived Community Professional Group.
HADYN HORNSTEIN-PLATT, LCSW
Mental Health Team
she/her
Haydn is a donor-conceived, licensed clinical social worker practicing in Philadelphia. She has spoken publicly on donor conception and biopsychosocial factors in various settings including the Philadelphia Family Pride Family Matters Conference and the Jefferson Infertility Counseling Conference. Haydn is an active member of USDCC’s Donor Conceived Person Centered Professional Development Group.
HILLARY REDWINE
Communications
she/her
Hillary is a recipient parent through egg donation. Her daughter Corinne was born in 2015. Listening to the experiences of donor-conceived people led her to pursue relationships with Corinne’s genetic mother and donor-conceived siblings much earlier than anticipated, and it’s been a wonderful experience for their entire family.
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Hillary has a bachelor’s degree in communications and nearly 20 years of experience with expertise in publication relations, strategic communications and crisis management.
ELY REISEN
Mental Health Professional Community Building & Connections
she/her
Ely is a licensed mental health provider, graduate school educator, and single mother via donor sperm. She has vast experience working with concerns stemming from attachment-based trauma.
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Ely developed USDCC’s Donor Conceived Person Centered Professional Development Group, which offers a space for peer consultation with the aim of enhancing mental health professional practices to prioritize DCP needs.
Top Image by Chris Lawton via Unsplash