At Cofertility, our team makes all the difference in how we support our members. Each month, we'll introduce you to one of the dedicated people working behind the scenes to make your experience better.
This month, we're sitting down with Rachel, our very first Member Advocate! Before joining Cofertility as the founding member of our Member Experience team, Rachel worked as a coordinator at two different fertility clinics and is exceptionally well-versed in the match process. Building relationships with intended parents and egg donors is what drives her passion for her work at Cofertility, where she uses her prior experience and knowledge of the industry to offer support through every step of the process.
Let's get to know Rachel better:
Q: What drew you to working at Cofertility?
I had been working with egg donors and Intended Parents in a Fertility clinic environment for about five years when I heard about Cofertility. I was excited about the Split model and Cofertilty’s values around disclosure and price transparency. The emphasis on open communication and making the process more accessible and human-centered really resonated with me, and I knew I wanted to be part of this mission!
Q: Can you walk us through what a typical day looks like for you?
A typical day involves a lot of communication. I spend much of my time on emails, phone calls, and video calls, connecting with members at various stages of their journey. A large part of these conversations involves providing education, guidance, and support to both our Split Members (aka egg donors) and intended parents. I also work closely with clinics to help coordinate cycles and keep everything on track.I am working to advocate for our members each step of the way.
Q: What's the most rewarding part of supporting members through their family-building process?
For me, building relationships and being a steady, supportive presence throughout our members' fertility journeys is the most rewarding part of the family-building process. Intended parents and Split Members interact with many different people along the way, and I take pride in being a consistent, reliable source of support they can count on.
Q: Is there a particular member story that has stuck with you?
So many members have stuck with me. In particular, I worked with a match that faced a number of unexpected roadblocks - things just kept coming up, and the process continued much longer than anticipated. When the egg retrieval finally happened, the outcome was lower than we had hoped for. Despite the initial disappointment, they moved forward with an embryo transfer, and it resulted in a pregnancy! The intended parents are now preparing to welcome their baby very soon. I’m still in touch with both the intended parents and the Split Member, which is incredibly special. I’ll never forget that after the egg retrieval, they all met up for dinner, which really speaks to the bond they formed. This match has stayed with me because, despite all the setbacks and uncertainty, they remained hopeful, and in the end, they reached their goal. It’s a reminder of why I do this work and how powerful these connections can be.
Q: How do you approach supporting members who might be feeling anxious or uncertain?
I think it’s important to acknowledge, listen to, and truly understand any feelings of uncertainty or anxiety. This allows me to be the best advocate possible and offer individualized support to each member I work with. I think intended parents and Split Members know that I will be there for them no matter what, and building that type of relationship is important to me. I’m always there to advocate for our members, and I think knowing that someone else is in their corner can be reassuring.
Q: What's one thing you wish more people knew about egg donation?
I wish more people knew that there is a great deal of care, intention, and planning that goes into this process. At Cofertility, we spend a lot of time talking with both intended parents and Split Members - not just about the logistics, but about the impact this journey may have on everyone involved, including the future child. These conversations are thoughtful and nuanced because we want everyone to feel informed, supported, and aligned every step of the way.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their family-building process, what would it be?
Give yourself grace. This journey can come with unexpected turns, and it’s okay not to have all the answers right away. Lean on your support system and take things one step at a time. Be patient with yourself and remember that everyone's timeline looks different.
Q: Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?
I am a dog mom and enjoy walking/running and exploring New York City with my pup! We walk in Central Park every day. I love live music and am an avid concert-goer. I’m also a huge foodie, and take NYC pizza very seriously - I have strong opinions about crust thickness, sauce-to-cheese ratios, and which boroughs have the most underrated slices.
Q: How do you practice self-care while supporting members through emotional moments?
The fertility space can be very emotional - of course, first and foremost for our members, given the importance of the journey they are on, but also for those of us helping them navigate it when we care so much. I’m lucky to have incredibly supportive coworkers. We constantly check in with each other and help each other through tougher moments. I am also careful to do the things and to be with the people (and pets) that I love, no matter how busy I get. I feel that when I take care of myself, I can be most present at work.
Q: What's one of your proudest moments as a Member Advocate?
I’m super proud to be the first Cofertility Member Advocate! I worked with Cofertility’s very first match and have had the privilege of watching the team and our process grow and evolve in such meaningful ways. It’s been incredible to see how far we’ve come, and to continue supporting families and donors through such an important, personal journey.
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