JAYANN SEPICH

BOARD MEMBER

Jayann Sepich founded DNA Saves, a non-profit dedicated to expanding DNA evidence and databases, after her daughter Katie, a 22-year-old graduate student, was raped and murdered, leaving only DNA evidence with no initial match. Jayann has testified over 50 times before U.S. state legislatures and twice before the U.S. Senate, advocating for arrestee DNA testing, which 31 states have since mandated. Her efforts led to the 2012 passage of “The Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act” by Congress. She has also advocated internationally in Thailand, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. DNA Saves has contributed to U.S. court cases, including the Supreme Court’s Maryland v. King, upholding arrestee DNA databases. Jayann’s work has been featured on CNN, NBC Dateline, and other national media. Honored as an Outstanding New Mexico Woman, inducted into the New Mexico Women’s Hall of Fame, and named one of USA Today’s “Outstanding Women of the Century” in New Mexico, Jayann continues to champion DNA’s power to solve crimes, prevent violence, and save lives.