CHLOE COLE
Chloe Cole is an activist and public speaker who first came to national attention for sharing her personal experience as a young woman who underwent a gender transition as a minor and later detransitioned. After identifying as transgender in early adolescence, Chloe underwent medical interventions including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and a double mastectomy before later coming to regret those decisions. Since then, she has become a prominent advocate for stronger protections for minors experiencing gender dysphoria, speaking publicly about the long-term physical, emotional, and psychological consequences she says can result from irreversible medical interventions performed at a young age. Her advocacy has included legislative testimony, national media appearances, and support for policies aimed at preventing minors from accessing permanent gender-transition procedures.
In addition to her work on issues related to transitioning minors, Chloe has also become an outspoken voice in the pro-life movement, framing both causes around the protection of vulnerable human life and the importance of informed consent. She has addressed pro-life audiences across the country, drawing connections between abortion, parental rights, bodily integrity, and the broader cultural treatment of children and women. Her story and advocacy have made her a compelling and often sought-after speaker among organizations focused on life, family, and child protection issues.
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CONGRESSMAN BOB ONDER (R-MO)
Rep. Bob Onder is a physician, longtime pro-life advocate, and the primary sponsor of the Chloe Cole Act in Congress. Named after detransitioner Chloe Cole, the legislation seeks to protect minors from irreversible medical interventions related to gender transition by prohibiting certain gender transition procedures—including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries—for children under 18. As the bill’s lead sponsor, Rep. Onder has been a prominent voice in advancing protections for parental rights and for young people who may later regret life-altering medical decisions made as minors.
A physician by training, Rep. Onder practiced medicine for decades before entering public office, bringing a healthcare perspective to many of the policy debates he has championed. Before his election to Congress, he served in the Missouri Senate, where he built a reputation as a principled conservative and steadfast defender of pro-life values, religious liberty, and limited government. Throughout his public career, he has been a consistent advocate for protections for the unborn, parental rights, and policies aimed at strengthening families and safeguarding children.
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Dr. Carrie Mendoza, MD
Dr. Carrie Mendoza is an accomplished Emergency Medicine physician with 25 years of experience across rural, suburban, and urban hospitals. She is a healthcare policy innovator and social entrepreneur who works with advocacy groups to expose and correct the administrative state and politicization of medicine and was instrumental in passing legislation to mandate all electronic health records document biologic sex and parental access to medical records for their minor children. Carrie earned her undergraduate degree from Tufts University, received a master's degree and medical degree from the University of Chicago, and did her residency and a fellowship at Denver Health Hospital.
Carrie is a proud Chicago native, born at Michael Reese Hospital and raised in Evanston and Winnetka. She is the granddaughter of immigrants including a maternal grandfather who escaped the Russian Revolution. Carrie and her husband Myles have three sons. As an observant Jewish family, their values guide Carrie every day - rooted in service, resilience and a belief that compassionate leadership can make a difference.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
PANEL MODERATOR
MARY KATE ZANDER
Dr. Carrie Mendoza is an accomplished Emergency Medicine physician with 25 years of experience across rural, suburban, and urban hospitals. She is a healthcare policy innovator and social entrepreneur who works with advocacy groups to expose and correct the administrative state and politicization of medicine and was instrumental in passing legislation to mandate all electronic health records document biologic sex and parental access to medical records for their minor children. Carrie earned her undergraduate degree from Tufts University, received a master's degree and medical degree from the University of Chicago, and did her residency and a fellowship at Denver Health Hospital.
Carrie is a proud Chicago native, born at Michael Reese Hospital and raised in Evanston and Winnetka. She is the granddaughter of immigrants including a maternal grandfather who escaped the Russian Revolution. Carrie and her husband Myles have three sons. As an observant Jewish family, their values guide Carrie every day - rooted in service, resilience and a belief that compassionate leadership can make a difference.