
Our Leadership and Board
Leadership

Joe S. McIlhaney, MD
CEO & Founder
Joe S. McIlhaney, Jr., MD, is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist who resides in Plano, Texas. During his years as a practicing physician, he focused his attention on reproductive technologies. He introduced laparoscopy, gynecologic laser surgery, and microsurgery to the central Texas medical community. In 1984, along with three other physicians, Dr. McIlhaney was instrumental in founding one of the first successful non-university IVF programs in the country. He also initiated one of the first women’s health centers in Texas at St. David’s Hospital. McIlhaney’s research focused his attention on the problems rampant in the USA and around the world, including STI’s, condom and contraceptive failure, and HIV/AIDs.

Derrah Jackson
VP NSR Coalition Administrator
Derrah has served in program development in many settings—state mental institutions, churches, non-profit campus organization, and now the Medical Institute. Trained as a psychologist and ordained into the Christian pastorate, Derrah is at his best as a servant-leader and people helper.
Board of Directors

Jack W. Lesch, MD
Chairman
Jack Lesch is a board-certified physician who has practiced Family Medicine for 42 years, and Hospice and Palliative Medicine for 10 years. He retired from practice in The Woodlands, Texas, in 2020 and moved to Dallas, Texas. He has been married to Peggy for 50 years and they have two married daughters, and seven grandchildren. While in The Woodlands, Jack regularly presented the MI message on a voluntary basis to students in health classes of Conroe ISD for 20 years.

Don Nelson, MD
Vice Chair
Dr. Don Nelson is a Family Physician who lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with his wife Dr. Mary Anne Nelson. Don received his MD degree from the University of Iowa, his residency training at the Cedar Rapids Family Medicine Residency, and his Master‘s Degree in Health Informatics from the University of Missouri – Columbia. After practicing in Cedar Rapids, Don became a faculty physician in Family Medicine, teaching resident physicians for three and a half decades. Currently, Don serves as Medical Director of Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center in Cedar Rapids.

Joneen Mackenzie, RN, BSN
Secretary of the Board
Joneen Mackenzie graduated from the University of Texas and is a former 1st Lieutenant in the USAF Nurse Corp. Currently she is president/founder of The Center for Relationship Education which houses the Colorado Healthy Marriage Project. Joneen works in the public policy arena with poverty prevention grants and is a national consultant for teen pregnancy prevention and positive youth development. Mrs. Mackenzie is married and has 4 grown children and 4 grandchildren.

Chance Benbow
Chance Benbow is the CEO of JDA Worldwide. JDA is a full-service marketing agency specializing in brand, creative, digital, public relations, and paid media. Mr. Benbow oversees ever greater company growth, deepen relationships with clients, and serve the leadership team at JDA. Before serving as CEO of JDA Worldwide, Mr. Benbow served as the Chief Marketing Officer for JDA’s parent company, Prolific–the growth firm specializing in strategic planning, consulting, research, marketing, communications, and capital. Mr. Benbow is a proud alumnus of Anderson University, graduating with a degree in Marketing Communications. Mr. Benbow was honored with AU’s 2019 Distinguished Young Alumni Award and currently serves on the university’s Board of Trustees. Mr. Benbow is married to his wife Kyler and has two sons, Decker and Tucker.

Marilyn Henderson, MSN, FNP-C, RN
Nurse Practitioner Consultant
Marilyn has worked with Dr. McIlhaney for 30+ years. In her current role she organizes and analyzes our research sources, summarizes relevant findings, and speaks at conferences on subjects of optimal sexual health.

Jerry Regier, MPA DD, PHD
Dr. Regier earned his PhD in Public Policy & Public Administration from Walden University. Dr. Regier’s work shaped public policy as Secretary in the Cabinet of two state Governors and as a policy leader for three U.S. Presidents. He is the founder of the Family Research Council in Washington, DC. He is a Senior Fellow at the Geneva Institute for Leadership & Public Policy. He formally served Public Strategies, where he directed federal contracts for Sexual Risk Avoidance Education for youth under the Department of Health & Human Services. He has been married to Sharyn Martin Regier for over 50 years. They have four grown children and 14 grandchildren.

Meg Meeker, MD
Dr. Meg Meeker is a global leading authority in child-father relationships. She has over 35 years of experience as a pediatrician; is the author of the bestselling book and now movie, Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters; host of the popular parenting podcast, Parenting Great Kids; TEDTalk and international speaker; and father-inclusive advocate. As an expert in the field, Dr. Meg equips dads with coaching, tools, and training based on extensive practical experience and research.
Advisory Board
David Hager, MD
OB-GYN, STD infection
Meg Meeker, MD
Pediatric And Adolescent Medicine
Don Hilton, MD
Neurological Surgery
Zoe Zanga, MD
Pediatrics
John Vessey, PhD
Psychologist and Statistician
Don Nelson, MD
Family Medicine
Jack Lesch, MD
Family Medicine
John Long, MD
Pediatrics