Have you suffered from any serious illness, disabilities or health challenges?

No

Are there any serious illnesses in your family?

breast cancer, paternal grandmother

Is there any history of mental illness in your family? Have you been diagnosed with depression, ADHD, or ADD?

No

Is there a history of cancer in your family? Please explain:

breast cancer, paternal grandmother

What are your smoking and drinking habits?

1-3 drinks, no smoking

Cosmetic Surgery

NA

PREVIOUS CYCLE RESULTS

12 embryos sent to testing, 5 normal, pregnancy confirmed

Why do you want to become an egg donor?

I have found that I am happiest and most fulfilled when I am helping others. I donate blood whenever I can because it makes me feel good to know that I am helping other people by sacrificing just an hour of my time and parting with something that can help others, that I don't need. I find my work to be incredibly fulfilling because I get to be a part of a program that changes lives and it is so rewarding to watch the college students that I work with learn, grow, and go on to change the world. I realize that becoming an egg donor is not an easy thing to do and is not for everyone, yet so many people have no choice but to pursue egg donation if they want to start their own family. I have watched others struggle to get pregnant and struggle to carry a pregnancy to term and seen the pain infertility causes. If I am healthy enough to be considered for egg donation, then I feel that there is no reason that I shouldn't "pay it forward." I don't plan on using the eggs my body expels every month, but if they could change someone's life and help them start a family, then why wouldn't I donate them?

Anything special you'd like to tell us about you?

I believe in leaving things better than you found them. When I was in hospitality, this was a very tangible thing to do. These days, I think more about the different ways this can look outside of hospitality. Some days it means thinking about my impact on this planet and how I can reduce my waste. Other days it means having an impact on the people around me, no matter how small.

Other achievements or honors

Gates Millennium Scholar, National Hispanic Scholar, Academic Dean's List

ACT and SAT SCORE (or the equivalent in your country)

32/1990

What is/was your major?

Animal Science (BS), Public Administration (MPA)

Who are the most important people in your life?

My little sister, my partner, my friends, and my colleagues are the most important people in my life.

What are your special talents?

Making people laugh, being highly organized and efficient, training animals, being an active and empathetic listener

What is the one change you wish to see in the world?

I wish to see a world where people choose kind and curiosity over judgment

What would you consider to your greatest strengths?

Part of the reason I'm so happy in my current job is that I'm able to flex and develop my strengths. I use my creativity and attention to detail to come up with better ways to do things. My perfectionism (which isn't always good!) means I'm never content with how things are. I am always analyzing every process and trying to figure out how to make it more efficient. I think another one of my strengths is my desire to connect with others and to choose challenging conversations over walking away.

What is your favorite dish to consume?

Mexican and Thai cuisines - anything spicy!

What is something you've accomplished in life that you are most proud of?

In the spring of 2018, the university that I work for decided to require all incoming first-year students to attend a three-hour session during their orientation week with the intergroup dialogue program that I work for. These sessions would be replacing previous efforts to "check the diversity and inclusion checkbox," as the university decided they wanted a more meaningful and impactful experience for students. This was a huge decision for the university to make and a victory in itself. The university wanted us to implement the new measure that fall. The next few months were some of the most stressful of my life, as I worked to recruit over 70 facilitators to lead the sessions (including some of our alumni), and to plan and organize over 170 different sessions for groups of 20 students each, to take place over the course of five days. It was a herculean effort for a team of four, and I was responsible for all of the logistics. This undertaking definitely pushed me to my limits. The day before the sessions started, we held a day-long training for all of our new, current and alumni facilitators to prepare to lead the sessions. That day all of my planning and organization was done, and it was time for the actual programming to start. It was amazing to watch the room fill with over 70 wonderful people that morning, all committed to the same mission and believing deeply in our work. After a day of training, all of the facilitators then went off to lead their first sessions, which were being held that evening. My boss and I waited eagerly in the office for them to return after finishing the first round of sessions. Words can't describe what it felt like when they started to trickle back in, beaming about the experience, raving about the amazing students they had met - the energy in the room was staggering. My heart was full of pride for everything we had done and would continue to do. The months of extreme stress all became worth it in that magic moment.

What is a book you love?

Born a Crime

How would other people describe you?

I'd like to think I'm funny, reflective, selfless, and humble. I am committed and passionate. I enjoy my current job because I am given the space to find better ways to do things. I get restless if I'm not improving or fixing something. I can be reserved at first, but once I get to know people, there is nothing I wouldn't do for them. I love adventure, challenges, and being spontaneous.

Describe your own personality to us

Here's a brief blurb from my supervisor from my most recent performance dialogue: "I'm always impressed by your proactive approach to professional development and I'm excited about the new knowledge and skills you've learned and practiced this past year. I appreciate the way you use your new learning to improve our systems and offerings, and I hope you have more opportunities to do that next year. Your contribution to our first-year programs (orientation and transitions & connections) has been outstanding. Your thoughtful leadership has enabled us to experiment with new strategies and content, engage more students, and improve specific areas of our offerings. In this work you've successfully collaborated with several IDP team members and strengthened connections with key campus partners. This past year you've continued supporting EDUC 2610 and 4826 efficiently and creatively. I'm especially thankful for your work with our undergraduate students and facilitators - you have high expectations of them, and you are also empathetic and flexible. I highly appreciate your partnerships with other campus units and staff. People value your efficiency, creativity, and high standards, and they see you as a trusted partner and role model. Your collaborations have allowed us to both expand and deepen our vision and impact."

Books you are currently reading

And the Band Played on, All About Love, Know my Name, all things Stephen King

Who are you closest to in your family and why?

My little sister is the most important person to me in the world. With four years between us, we didn't always get along growing up. Over time, my love and appreciation for who she is has deepened. She understands me like no one else and loves me anyway. I admire her for all the ways we're different and the same. She is an incredibly smart, caring, determined individual and I would do anything for her.

What was the defining moment that made you choose your field of study/career path?

I took a course called Intergroup Dialogue in my senior year of college. The course was eye opening and helped me put language to things I had previously felt but not known how to describe or explain. I experienced first hand the power of dialogue and connecting with others across difference and have come to believe deeply in its ability to transform people and systems. Since then, I have been motivated to support and grow the program that created this experience for me.

If you could tell the intended parents who are considering you one thing, what would it be?

Thank you for taking the time to learn a little bit about me! I wish you the best on your journey to starting a family. As someone whose conception was accidental, it is very important to me that children are brought into this world intentionally and by committed parents who are ready to have a family. By virtue of your pursuit of assistance in starting your family, I feel good knowing that any child(ren) you conceive will be raised by dedicated and loving parents.

Places you'd love to travel

Mexico, Thailand, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, really anywhere

What are your favorite words to live by?

Choose curiosity

Sports/Dance/Hobbies you enjoy

I love the water. I like swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, boating, and attempting to water ski. I have played the flute since I was in fourth grade. I did marching band in high school and college. I have always enjoyed writing. When I was in fourth grade, I won second place in a statewide creative writing competition. I love animals, especially horses and riding. I also enjoy training cats and dogs. I taught my cat how to sit because someone told me I couldn't. I love the world of food and beverage. I don't enjoy cooking, but I do like baking and crafting cocktails. I also enjoy home improvement projects.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

I want to keep doing what I'm doing career-wise. I feel very fortunate to have found work that I love and find fulfilling and I want to continue to grow in my field. Outside of my career goals, I want to do more traveling. I want to meet more people and have more and deeper relationships. I want to learn new skills. I want to find other ways to use my skills and time to help others outside of my job. I also think it would be pretty cool to train my cat to do more tricks (so far she knows "come," "sit," and "touch").