10/09/2026
Iowa Right to Life Announces Jeff Pitts as Executive Director
DES MOINES, Iowa — Oct. 9, 2026 — Iowa Right to Life (IRTL) announced today that Jeff Pitts has been named Executive Director, bringing an experienced pro-life advocate, public policy professional and communicator to lead the organization into its next chapter.
Pitts said one foundational principle will be at the center of his leadership: a human being’s life begins at fertilization.
“That isn’t a political opinion. It’s a biological reality,” Pitts said. “From fertilization, the unborn are living human beings. That truth is affirmed by a survey of thousands of biologists, 96% of whom agreed with the view that, from a biological standpoint, the human life cycle begins at fertilization.”
Pitts said informing Iowans about pro-life issues will be central to Iowa Right to Life’s education and outreach efforts.
“Before we can have a meaningful conversation about abortion, we need to understand what abortion does: it ends the life of a human being,” Pitts said.
Pitts succeeds longtime Iowa Right to Life leader Kristi Judkins, whose years of leadership helped strengthen the organization and advance the pro-life cause across the state.
“Kristi poured an enormous amount of herself into protecting unborn children and advancing the cause of life,” Pitts said. “I’m grateful for her years of service, and I consider it a privilege to carry that work onward.”
Longtime Iowa Right to Life Office Operations Director Paula Brown will continue her work with the organization and serve as a key partner in its day-to-day work and mission.
“Paula has done tremendous work for IRTL,” Pitts said. “I’m grateful for her wisdom, and I look forward to working alongside her.”
Pitts has been actively involved in Iowa’s pro-life movement for several years, including serving on the Iowa Right to Life Board of Directors and, most recently, as Director of Legislative Affairs for the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition. In that role, he worked at the Iowa Capitol advocating for pro-life and pro-family public policy and helping advance legislation through the statehouse.
Pitts and his wife, Kayla, live in central Iowa with their two young children.
“Jeff brings a deep commitment to the pro-life cause, valuable experience at the Iowa Capitol and a clear vision for where Iowa Right to Life can go next,” said John Strathman, President of the Iowa Right to Life Board of Directors. “The board is confident in his leadership and excited to have him leading the organization.”
Pitts takes the helm at an important moment for the pro-life movement in Iowa. After decades of work by pro-life Iowans, the state’s heartbeat law took full effect in 2024. Pitts said that progress provides reason for gratitude — but not complacency.
“We have made tremendous progress in Iowa, and we should celebrate that,” Pitts said. “But our work is not finished. We will continue working toward a culture and a legal system that recognizes and protects the dignity and value of every human life.”
