About

Pineapple Squad was founded in 2017 and started as a social group for several women going through fertility treatment. By 2019 the organization had shifted to offer additional support services including a monthly virtual support group that met in-person in the Chicagoland area and several locally hosted events including brunches and paint events.
In addition to support in the local areas, we now offer a virtual support group open to anyone within the US and Canada to attend via zoom on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. 
 

Our Mission

Pineapple Squad is dedicated to providing compassionate support, education, and accessible resources to individuals and families experiencing infertility.  We foster a safe inclusive community where no one has to walk this journey alone—offering connection, empowerment, and hope every step of the way.

Meet the Founder

Heather Martinez is the founder of the Pineapple Squad. After starting her own fertility journey in 2017, she realized there was a gap in support and took the opportunity to connect with other women in her area. She has been a supporter and advocate for the community ever since and is always trying to bring awareness and a voice to those who are struggling to conceive. After her own success with IVF, she has vowed to continue her efforts in helping others feel supported on their own journeys.

Check Out our Pineapple Squad Events

Our Board Members

Melissa Ortiz

President

Melissa Ortiz is an accomplished Event Security Program Manager and a dedicated Board Member of Pineapple Squad Inc., a nonprofit organization supporting individuals navigating infertility. Since joining the infertility community in 2014, Melissa has been a passionate advocate, hosting peer-led support groups for over two years to foster connection, resilience, and healing.

A proud mom of two daughters, Melissa credits the unwavering support of the infertility community for helping her through a deeply challenging journey. Her most recent experience with infertility, while unsuccessful, led her to the Pineapple Squad—where she now finds purpose and meaning in helping others.

Melissa is also a licensed Emergency Medical Technician, bringing compassion and readiness to every aspect of her work. She continues to champion inclusive spaces where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Karyolynn Davis

VICE PRESIDENT

Karolynn Dianis is the Vice President of the Board of the Pineapple Squad. When she and her wife decided to start their family, Karolynn embarked on her own fertility journey, going through IUI and ultimately welcoming twins into their lives. That experience gave her a deep, personal understanding of the hope, uncertainty, and emotion that comes with trying to conceive.

Joining the Pineapple Squad in 2025, Karolynn has dedicated herself to building a community where everyone feels seen and supported. She is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples navigating fertility, working to ensure that all paths to parenthood are recognized and celebrated. In her role as Vice President of the Board, she brings both her heart and her lived experience to help others feel less alone on their journey.

Laura Weppler

Finance

 Laura Weppler is a certified fertility nurse, fertility doula, and IVF mom of two. With more than a decade of experience supporting patients through the emotional and clinical challenges of fertility treatment, Laura brings both professional expertise and personal insight to her work.
 
She is the founder of Navigating Fertility with Laura, LLC, where she helps individuals and couples find clarity, confidence, and compassionate support throughout their fertility journeys. Laura is honored to serve on the Pineapple Squad Board of Directors and is passionate about expanding resources and community for those navigating infertility.

Jennifer S.

Secretary

With over 8 years of personal experience navigating the emotional and physical challenges of infertility, Jennifer is deeply committed to supporting others on their own fertility journeys. Having faced the complexities of expanding her family firsthand, she brings a compassionate and empathetic perspective to the board of My Pineapple Squad by understanding the unique struggles, heartbreaks, and moments of hope that come with trying to conceive.
Jennifer works full-time in Human Resources, runs a small sweets business and is passionate about supporting mental health and overall well-being—both in the workplace and in the infertility community. She brings this same dedication to her role by helping to foster a safe, inclusive, and encouraging space where no one feels alone.
In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys, traveling, palamos, breakfast tacos, and board games.