OUR FAMILY COALITION

& MEN HAVING BABIES

PRESENT:

THE SAN FRANCISCO

SURROGACY
CONFERENCE & EXPO
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2017
5:308 P.M.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017

9 A.M.6 P.M.

AGENDA
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14:
Registration: 5:005:30 PM (10th Floor)
Is surrogacy right for you? Overview and personal stories: 5:30 PM6:30 PM (Commandants
Room, 10th Floor)
We will open our session with introductions, a comparison of surrogacy with other parenting options, and an overview of the considerations for
choosing various parenting routes.
To help you further understand what surrogacy entails from the personal standpoint, you will have an opportunity to hear personal testimonies
from a diverse group of of gay surrogacy dads and the surrogates who helped them.
Moderator:

Heather Jacobson, PhD

Heather Jacobson is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Texas at Arlington whose research centers primarily on various
routes to family formation. She is the author of Labor of Love: Gestational Surrogacy and the Work of Making Babies.

Panelist include:

John Maroney

John and his husband Denis live in Southern California. In October 2016 they welcomed their son Liam, born via gestational surrogacy.
The couple were recipients of GPAP Stage II benefits for their journey.

Jonelle Martin

Jonelle, a mother of three from Sacramento, is the gestational surrogate who carried Liam for Denis and John.

Mario Kevesic

Mario and his partner Mano are very new parents from Northern California: they welcomed their daughter Naya, born via gestational
surrogacy, in December 2016. The couple were recipients of GPAP Stage II benefits for their journey.

Rachelle Myers-Nelson

Rachelle is a surrogate mother who helped two different gay couples from Italy: a singleton boy in 2013 and twin boys in 2015. Rachelle
is also a member of MHBs advisory committee, recently gave several media interviews to Italian and Belgian media, and has served as
an advocate and public speaker on matters including surrogacy, gay marriage and gay parenting.

Coffee break: 6:30-6:45 PM

How do we feel about surrogacy?: 6:45-8:00 PM (Commandants Room, 10th Floor)
In this session we will examine the meanings and significance people tend to attribute to surrogacy in their lives, with a special focus on
surrogates perspective. With the help of several surrogates, a sociologist and a psychologist, we will look at questions such as:
What are the dominant social perceptions of surrogacy in the U.S. and Canada?
How do surrogates understand their experiences?
What are the roots for concerns about exploitation and commodification in surrogacy?
What are the experiences of children born via surrogacy?

We will present recent ethnographic research on surrogacy, and evidence from studies about the way surrogacy affects the the welfare of
the child, the surrogate, and her family. We will also look at programs meant to encourage a more mindful surrogacy experience, such as the
Sacred Surrogacy (part of the Sacred Living movement) and MHBs Framework for Ethical Surrogacy.
Moderator: Ron Poole-Dayan, surrogacy father, executive director of MHB
Speakers / Panelists:

Heather Jacobson, PhD, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Elaine Gordon, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, third party family building.
Rachelle Myers-Nelson, surrogate mother and a member of MHBs surrogates advisory board.
Nici Shipway, birth doula, curator of the Sacred Surrogacy program.
Jonelle Martin, a surrogate mother

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15:

Registration: 8:30-9:00 AM (10th Floor Foyer)
Planning your parenting journey: 9:00-10:30 AM (Commandants Room, 10th Floor)
This is the first part of our comprehensive surrogacy workshop that was developed based on the accumulated knowledge of hundreds of gay
men who have already gone through the process.
Topics covered will include:

Basic terminology, types and components of typical surrogacy arrangements.

Typical sequence and timeline for gestational surrogacy journeys.
Legal considerations in the USA and Canada.
Major decisions that shape the surrogacy journey.
Considering your family vision, financial constraints, risk tolerance and ethical preferences.

Coffee break: 10:30-10:45 AM

Sponsored by Canadian Fertility Consulting

Picking providers, budgeting and financial assistance: 10:45 AM12:00 PM

(Commandants Room, 10th Floor)
On the second part of our workshop we will provide peer advice on selecting service providers, cost saving tips, and resources for financial
support.
Topics covered will include:

Where to start (agency, clinic, surrogate or donor)

Selecting an agency and clinic
Estimated costs, and factors that affect costs
Cost saving best practices.
Financial help through the Gay Parenting Assistance Program (GPAP).

Lunch / Gay Parenting Expo: 12:00 - 1:30 PM (Crystal Ballroom, 11th Floor)
Enjoy a buffet lunch and explore our Gay Parenting Services Exhibit: more than twenty five tables where you can meet and receive information
from leading clinics, surrogacy agencies, lawyers and supporting community organizations. The expo will remain open until 6:00pm. Lunch is
sponsored by the San Diego Fertility Center.

Breakout sessionscome meet the sponsors: 1:303:30 PM (10th Floor Rooms: Regimental,
Heritage, Commandants, plus Crystal Lounge, 11th Floor)
Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in up to 6 introductory 20-minute group consultations with the various seminar sponsors. Take
advantage of this opportunity to shop around and get to know these agencies and clinics more closely. Breakout sessions table on page 5.

Break: 3:303:45 PM
Optional private consultations: 3:308:30 PM (various suites on the 4th floor, please check with
participating providers for more details)
Several clinics and agencies will be available in offices for private consultations with prospective parents that wish to explore the options they
offer in more depth. Prospective parents may request to coordinate consultations in advance using this form. Consultation slots may also be
available last minute for those who want to first hear the providers at the conference.

SPECIALTY PANELS
Commandants Room, 10th Floor Regimental Room, 10th Floor

Heritage Room, 10th Floor

BUDGETING:

A closer look at medical insurance

and surrogate compensation
packages
MODERATOR:

Ron Poole-Dayan / MHB board

3:45-4:30 pm

PANELISTS:

- Diane Hinson, Esq. / Creative Family

Connections
- Leia Swanberg / Canadian Fertility
Consulting
- Steve Snyder, Esq. / IARC
- Rachelle Myers-Nelson / MHBs
Surrogates Advisory Committee

MEDICAL WORKSHOP I:

Choosing egg donors and creating

optimal embryos

Psychological and social issues

during the surrogacy process
MODERATOR:

Dr. Georges Sylvestre / MHB board

MODERATOR:

Heather Jacobson, Ph.D., University

of Texas at Arlington

PANELISTS:

PANELISTS:

- Guy Ringler, M.D. / California Fertility - Qin Fan, Psy.D. / Clinical Psychologist,
California Pacific Medical Center
Partners
- Elaine Gordon, Ph.D./ Clinical Psy- Dr. Brandon Bankowski, M.D. /
chologist, third party family building
Oregon Reproductive Medicine

EXPERT LEGAL PANEL:

Legal status of surrogacy across the

USA and Canada, contracts, securing
parentage rights
MODERATOR:

Anthony Brown, Esq. / MHB board

4:30-5:15 pm

PANELISTS:

- Tabitha Lundberg Koh, J.D. / NWSC

- Ellen Trachman, Esq. / Colorado
Surrogacy
- Deborah Wald, Esq. / The Wald Law
Group
- Alex MacNab LLB, / Moe Hannah

MEDICAL WORKSHOP II:

choosing an optimal surrogate

and making crucial decisions during
the IVF process
MODERATOR:

Dr. Georges Sylvestre / MHB board

PANELISTS:

- Susanna Park, M.D. / San Diego

Fertility Center
- Dr. Mousa Shamonki, M.D. / Fertility
& Surgical Associates of CA

LIFE AFTER BIRTH

Resources and Family Support

Services with Our Family Coalition
FACILITATOR:

Polly Pagenhart, Our Family Coalition

Gay parenting expo / networking reception: 5:156:00 PM (Crystal Lounge, 11th Floor)
Prospective parents, parents (&children!), psychologists, social workers, students, researchers and other professionals are invited to network
and exchange perspectives over refreshments. Our Surrogacy Expo will run in parallel.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Time

10th Floor:
Commandants Room

10th Floor:
Regimental Room

10th Floor:
Heritage Room

11th Floor:
Crystal Lounge

Dr. Susanna Park and

Dr. Said Daneshmand

Leia Swanberg

Dr. Brandon Bankowski

Victoria Ferrara, Esq.

Nici Shipway

Dr. Brandon Bankowski

Steven Snyder, Esq.

1:30-1:48
2 minute break to
Switch Rooms

1:50-2:08
2 minute break to
Switch Rooms

Dr. Susanna Park and

Dr. Said Daneshmand

2:10-2:28
2 minute break to
Switch Rooms

Dr. Guy Ringler

Donna Raidy
Diane Hinson, Esq.

Dr. Vicken Sahakian

2:30-2:48
2 minute break to
Switch Rooms

Dr. Guy Ringler

Dr. Carl Herbert

Dr. Mousa Shamonki

John Chally, JD

Brad Spencer

John Chally, JD

Dr. Peter Uzelac

Jennifer White

Cora Jenson

2:50-3:08
2 minute break to
Switch Rooms

Christina Thursby

3:10-3:30
Amy Kaplan

Carly Gonzalez

COLLABORATING ORGANIZATIONS
ABOUT OUR FAMILY COALITION

Our Family Coalition promotes the equality and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer families with children. We foster leadership in advocacy efforts that
promote social justice to ensure that all the families in our community are respected and loved. The organization provides a variety of vehicles for LGBTQ families with children
to engage effectively in public education and advocacy efforts that challenge the bias and discrimination that affect them. We aim to reach a diverse grassroots base of LGBTQ
families where they are and engage them in challenging the many societal barriers they face.

www.ourfamily.org

ABOUT GAY FUTURE DADS

Gay Future Dads was formed in 2004 by a group of single gay men in the Castro area of San Francisco who were interested in learning about becoming parents and who wanted
to find new and different ways to meet other guys who wanted to become parents. Since that time Gay Future Dads has grown into a unique social group and support network of
more than 100 members who get together at casual events in members homes, local cafes and at special events like the SF LGBT Film Festival and SF Gay Pride Celebration.
We have gone on to make good friends, form coupled relationships and have children through co-parenting, adoption and surrogacy arrangements.

www.gayfuturedads.org

ABOUT THE FAMILY EQUALITY COUNCIL:

Family Equality Council is the national expert on LGBTQ parents and their families. We promote lived and legal equality for these three million parents and their six million children.
We foster supportive communities, educate the public, and pursue policy change to advance equality for LGBTQ-headed families across the United States. Current legal and
cultural structures hurt LGBTQ parents and their children. Through our commitment and expertise, we are the national organization advancing an inclusive family agenda within
and beyond the LGBTQ movement. Family Equality Council is committed to a future in which families with parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer are
legally recognized, valued by society, and afforded equal opportunity to thrive.

www.familyequality.org

ABOUT SACRED SURROGACY

Sacred Surrogacy is a personal soul calling and a way to walk this path in a deep and mindful way. It has manifested itself into a support network, in person retreats and guidance
for Surrogates, Donors, and Intended Parents. The programs help people moving through the process in a way that allows them to connect with themselves and with this very
special journey. During this process various topics pertinent to surrogacy/donation will be explored, and participants will be encouraged to embrace this beautiful journey theyre
on. Surrogacy is a true journey of self, and can be such a blessing to your life in so many ways.

www.sacredsurrogacy.com

PANELISTS:
Brandon J. Bankowski, MD, MPH

Dr. Bankowski is one of the most-respected and experienced physicians helping LGBTQ intended parents build their families through
donor egg surrogacy in the USA. He is a board-certied reproductive endocrinologist with extensive experience in IVF, egg donation,
surrogacy and genomics. He has practiced at Oregon Reproductive Medicine (ORM) since 2005. He and his partners at ORM have
helped LGBTQ intended parents from across the world build their families. Dr. Bankowski is passionate about providing ORMs
patients the best care and the highest chance for success on their first attempt, while looking after the genetic health of their family.
His vision lead to the formation of ORM Genomics, ORMs industry-leading reproductive genomics program and in-house genetics laboratory, as well
as the integration of advanced genetic screening of all donors in the ORM Donors program. He is committed to helping LGBTQ intended parents using
donor egg surrogacy benefit from the latest advances in genetic screening to help them have the best chance of a healthy baby on their first attempt.

Qin Fan, Psy.D.

Qin Fan is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in San Francisco and an adjunct instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at
California Pacific Medical Center.She received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University San Francisco and Masters in French
Literature from the University of North Caroline-Chapel Hill. Her doctoral dissertation investigated womens experience of loss following failed in
vitro fertilization attempts. In her practice and teaching, she focuses on reproductive mental health, specifically on the third party reproduction.
A member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine and Gaylesta of San Francisco, she supports the family building efforts of all
individuals and has extensive experience working with LGBTQ community.

Elaine R. Gordon, Ph.D.

Elaine Gordon is a Clinical Psychologist with a specialty in infertility, child development, adoption, reproductive medicine, and third
party family building. Besides her role as a therapist and group facilitator working with patients struggling with infertility related issues,
she lectures on various topics surrounding the psychological and ethical issues of contemporary family building. Dr. Gordon is the author
of Mommy, Did I Grow in Your Tummy? Where Many Babies Come From, a childrens book dedicated to explaining a childs unique
reproductive beginnings whether it be IVF, egg donation, sperm donation, surrogacy or adoption. Dr. Gordon is well versed in both
the medical and psychological aspects of reproductive medicine utilizing third parties. Her involvement in egg donation and surrogacy
programs has stimulated an interest in the issues surrounding secrecy and disclosure in third party parenting. Related to the disclosure/
nondisclosure issue is the need to assess the advantages and disadvantages of open versus closed donation policies. She lectures
on disclosure policies and how you talk to children about non-traditional family building with the focus being the best interest of the child.

Diane S. Hinson, Esq.

Diane Hinson, a cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School, founded Creative Family Connections LLC on the principle that
everyone can build a family. After starting her own family as a single mother, Diane built a full-service surrogacy agency and
reproductive rights law firm that is consistently one of the highest-ranked agencies in the world. Clients from across the country
and around the world choose CFC for the compassionate care and legal expertise that Diane and her team provide. Because of her
passion for family equality, Diane has fought to obtain landmark court rulings for same-sex parents. She has opened doors to IVF clinics for gay
fathers, drafted and advocated for gay-friendly surrogacy legislation, served as HRCs pro-bono counsel for surrogacy issues, spoken frequently
about surrogacy, and provided surrogacy advice on the well-known Surromoms.com website. She has also collaborated with fellow surrogacy
attorneys to develop an in-depth 50-state surrogacy law analysis, which is widely relied upon in the surrogacy world and cited in the media.

Heather Jacobson, Ph.D.

Heather Jacobson is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Texas at Arlington where she directs the Masters in Sociology Program
and teaches courses on families, reproduction, and qualitative research methods. She is also an affiliated faculty member of the Womens and
Gender Studies Program. She holds a PhD in Sociology from Brandeis University and an MPhil in Womens Studies from Trinity College Dublin.
She is a family sociologist whose research centers primarily on various routes to family formation. She is the author of Labor of Love: Gestational
Surrogacy and the Work of Making Babies, published by Rutgers University Press in 2016, and Culture Keeping: White Mothers, International
Adoption, and the Negotiation of Family Difference, published by Vanderbilt University Press in 2008. Her work has been featured on the National
Public Radio program Think and in The Boston Globe, Contexts, Brain Child Magazine and the radio program Creating a Family: Talk about
Adoption and Infertility. She serves on the editorial board of the journal Adoption Quarterly.

Tabitha Lundberg Koh, J.D.

Tabitha is the Director of Legal Services at Northwest Surrogacy Center, LLC. A graduate of the University of California Berkeley
Law School and an attorney since 2007, her practice areas include adoption, surrogacy, and assisted reproductive technology, as
well as estate planning and probate. She is licensed to practice law in California, Oregon, and Washington. Tabitha is a member
of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys , Oregon Women Lawyers (OWLS), and the Oregon Gay and Lesbian Law Association.

Alex MacNab, LLB

Alex MacNab has extensive training and experience in interest- based negotiation, mediation and arbitration. He offers creative solutions
for clients in a way that best fits their needs whether that be through lawyer-assisted negotiation, mediation or arbitration, with litigation
as the method of last resort. He also specializes in reproductive law and is well-known for helping families with third party assisted
reproductive techniques including donor egg, donor sperm, traditional and gestational surrogacy, as well as adoption. Alexs legal career
began in 2004 in Newfoundland and Labrador where he practiced with the Legal Aid Commission in Labrador. Alex gained experience in
the areas of criminal defense and family law, appearing regularly in both the Provincial and Supreme Courts. Alexs educational background
includes a Law Degree from Dalhousie University Law School, and a BA from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Susanna Park, M.D.

World renowned for her fertility expertise, IVF success and excellence in medical care, Dr. Susanna Park has practiced as an
infertility physician for the past 15 years. Dr. Park joined the San Diego Fertility Center in 2012 following her tenure at Columbia
University in New York City. Her passion is to combine her extensive experience as an infertility physician with individualized care
and compassion. Dr. Park is double board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. She
graduated summa cum laude from Siena College and obtained her medical degree at Albany Medical College. Dr. Park completed her
residency and her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Dr. Park has developed
a large international referral practice due to her excellent patient rapport and high success rates with a variety of treatments including IVF, donor eggs,
egg freezing and gestational surrogacy. Dr. Park works closely with the leading surrogacy agencies to assist the LGBT community build families.

Guy Ringler, M.D.

In clinical practice for over twenty years, Dr. Guy Ringler has developed a large international referral practice due to his excellent
patient rapport and expertise in IVF, surrogacy, and gay family building. As one of the worlds first fertility doctors to help
gay men become fathers through egg donation and surrogacy, Dr. Ringler has been recognized by the American Fertility
Association (AFA) with an Achievement Award. He regularly lends his voice to the public conversation about gay familybuilding as a spokesperson for GLAAD and a contributor to the Huffington Post. Dr. Ringler has worked closely with the AFA
to increase public awareness of fertility options for people with HIV, and he has helped many HIV-positive people have children
through assisted reproduction. Dr. Ringler is on the advisory board of Men Having Babies and lives in Los Angeles with his husband, Mark Rios.

Mousa Shamonki, M.D.

Dr. Shamonki is board certified in reproductive endocrinology and obstetrics and gynecology, and serves as Associate Clinical
Professor at UCLA. He received his medical degree and OB/GYN residency at the University of Vermont. He completed his reproductive
endocrinology and infertility fellowship at Cornell University, considered by many in the field as the premier fellowship in the country. After
fellowship, Dr. Shamonki spent one year perfecting his skills at Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey, where he performed
thousands of ultrasounds and procedures, providing him unique and high-volume training thereby giving him experience rivaling
any clinician in the country. In 2006 Dr. Shamonki joined his alma mater UCLA and, as Director of In-Vitro Fertilization and Assisted
Reproduction, quickly developed the IVF Program at UCLA into a center of excellence. He has published numerous papers and has won
several awards, including the Carbee Award for excellence in OB/GYN, the Patients Choice Award and Americas Top Doctors Award.

Nici Shipway

After years in the birth community Nici Shipway chose a path of a Birth Doula, supporting women throughout their pregnancy, birth and
postpartum. After Leia Swanberg began development of the Sacred Surrogacy Program she selected Nici Shipway to be its curator. Since
then the single stream program has developed into a three part company providing support, guidance and programming for Surrogates,
Egg Donors and Intended Parents from any agency, anywhere in the world. Sacred Programs for Surrogates, Egg Donors and Intended
Parents are meant to be used as tools to honor each participant along each of their journeys. We encourage each participant to create
an open relationship with Nici as she will be able to help guide you along your beautiful journey with grace, reverence and thankfulness.
For further information on the programs please go to www.sacredsurrogacy.com or contact Nici directly at nici@sacredsurrogacy.com.

Steven H. Snyder, Esq.

Steven H. Snyder, Esq., is the founding and principal partner of Steven H. Snyder & Associates in Maple Grove, Minnesota. He
is also the Director of the International Assisted Reproduction Center, a U.S. surrogacy and egg donation matching agency.
Mr. Snyder is an active leader in numerous professional organizations, including RESOLVE, the American Fertility Association,
the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, and the American Bar Association Assisted Reproductive Technology
Committee. Mr. Snyder is an expert and a frequent national and international speaker on assisted reproductive technology topics.

Leia Swanberg

Leias passion for alternative family building began at age sixteen, when she was a birth mother to a daughter placed in an
open adoption. Since then, she has had four children of her own ages 20,12, 2 and a new baby. She has been a gestational
surrogate twice and an egg donor several times. Leias approach to surrogacy is simple taking a holistic approach to ensure
that all parties are supported, encouraged and protected. She has made great industry connections and working partnerships
with professionals worldwide to ensure that she can help to develop the fertility plan that best suits your needs. Having owned
Canadian Fertility Consulting since 2007, she has had the opportunity to help hundreds of couples become parents. Leias
previous experience as a small business owner and background in management and small business development has helped her grow CFC into
Canadas foremost surrogacy consulting service. Leia and CFC have been featured many times in Canadian media, including Canada AM and
The National Post, helping to depict third-party reproduction as a tangible and approachable subject in the country.

Ellen Trachman, Esq.

Ellen is an attorney who left corporate law years ago to make a difference in peoples lives. She founded Trachman Law Center, LLC,
specializing in family formation law, and loves representing men and women who are building their families through assisted reproductive
technology. The creation of Colorado Surrogacy was the natural next step in the evolution of Ellens commitment to growing families
through surrogacy. She cant imagine more rewarding, meaningful and enjoyable work. Ellen is affiliated with several professional
associations devoted to family formation and was named Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year in 2015 by the Denver Gay & Lesbian
Chamber of Commerce. Originally from northern New Mexico, Ellen did her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley,
and earned her law degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Ellen has four children and loves living in colorful Colorado.

Deborah Wald, Esq.

Deborah Wald is the founder and managing partner of The Wald Law Group, a full-service family law firm in San Francisco. She focuses her
practice on adoption, assisted reproduction, parentage and custody litigation. She has been practicing assisted reproduction law for over a
decade, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys as well as the Academy of California Family
Formation Lawyers. She also teaches at the University of San Francisco School of Law. Ms. Wald is standing Chair of the National Family
Law Advisory Council of the National Center for Lesbian Rights and an active member of the Family Law Institute of the National LGBT Bar
Association. She and her partner have raised two sons, both now in college. There is no part of her work she enjoys more than assisting other
members of the LGBT community with fulfilling their dreams of becoming parents.

MHB SPEAKERS:
Anthony M. Brown, Esq., Board Chairman

Anthony currently is a senior associate at the law firm of Chianese and Reilly Law, P.C., heading their family and estates law division serving
married and unmarried individuals, couples and families. Anthony is the Executive Director of The Wedding Party and has been a Board member
since its inception in 1999. Anthony is the founder of TimeForFamilies.com, a web environment dedicated to assisting gay and lesbian couples
create their own families. Anthony has worked as a law guardian at The Childrens Law Center, representing the legal needs of children in
Brooklyn Family Court. Anthony also worked as a legal intern for Lambda Legal in the summer of 2002. Anthony was appointed as a board
member and Secretary of the board of Men Having Babies upon its incorporation in July 2012 and has served as Board Chairman since 2013.

A.J. Edge, Director of Operations & Finance

A.J. began working with Men Having Babies in October 2013 in conjunction with the launch of the Gay Parenting Assistance Program (GPAP).
His day-to-day responsibilities include conference production and logistics, managing GPAP including Stage II matching and case management,
finance, and budgeting. His past professional experience includes working for an array of not-for-profit organizations including a Childrens
Museum, an Opera company, and a Zoo. A.J. graduated summa cum laude from Walden University with a BS in business administration and
completed his MBA also from Walden University in August 2016. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, he now resides in North New Jersey with his
husband, Daniel, a veterinarian who works within the animal health industry for a large pharmaceutical company. Together they have two boys
through adoption, Jackson and Peyton.

Rachelle Myers-Nelson, Surrogates Advisory committee member

Rachelle and her husband have one son who is 7 years old. Rachelle is a surrogate mother who has completed two journeys for two different
gay couples from Italy. She delivered a singleton boy in April 2013 and twin boys in March 2015. She loves sharing about her relationship with
the intended parents, minimizing the use of injectable medications, the support she received from her husband, friendships lost and gained, and
really anything surrogacy related. Rachelle has served as an advocate and public speaker on matters including surrogacy, gay marriage and gay
parenting, and in 2016 gave several media interviews to Italian and Belgian media on these subjects.

Ron Poole-Dayan, Board Member / Executive Director

Ron is the executive director and founding board member of Men Having Babies. He has over 20 years of experience in marketing and business
strategy development both in the USA and internationally. Ron earned his Masters degree in political economy and comparative politics from
Columbia University, and his bachelors degree in business administration from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Ron is married to Greg
Poole-Dayan, the Administrator of the Jewish Home Lifecare Nursing Home in the Bronx. The couple met in 1994, and are among of the first
same-sex couples in the nation to father children through gestational surrogacy. The twins, born in 2001, were conceived with the use of eggs
donated by Gregs sister, and carried by a gestational carrier. Ron has been the MHB program coordinator since 2005, and was appointed as
the Executive Director of Men Having Babies upon its in corporation in July 2012.

Georges Sylvestre, M.D., Board Member

Georges Sylvestre is an Obstetrician/Gynecologist specialized in High-Risk Pregnancies, currently Chairman of OBGYN at Flushing Hospital
Medical Center in Queens. Georges and his husband David Margolis live in Manhattan, and are the proud fathers of Tristan and Noah, born in
2010 and 2013 via gestational surrogacy. Having grown up in France, Canada and Switzerland, the Sylvestre-Margolis boys speak French and
English at home, and has traveled extensively across the world, making a point of meeting other LGBT gay couples raising children. Georges
profession and personal experience give him a unique advantage in understanding the medical, psychological, ethical and financial challenges
of the IP/couple egg donor Gestational surrogate triad.

10

BREAKOUT SESSION SPEAKERS:

Said T. Daneshmand, MD, FACOG

Dr. Said Daneshmand is an internationally recognized fertility specialist with extensive experience in providing third-party
reproductive services. Dr. Daneshmand serves on the board of several surrogacy advocacy groups. He has collaborated
to develop in vitro fertilization (IVF) protocols to improve pregnancy rates, including PTEC (post-thaw extended culture),
which is one of the most successful IVF regimens currently available. These groundbreaking findings were published in the internationally
respected medical journal, Fertility and Sterility, where Dr. Daneshmand also served as a reviewer. Dr. Daneshmand completed his fellowship
and residency at UCLA. He is specialty board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and sub specialty board certified in Reproductive
Endocrinology. Among his achievements, Dr. Daneshmand is the recipient of numerous awards including the Eileen Pike Medical School
Valedictorian Award and the PCRS Fellowship and Practicing Physician Research Award. He has served as the President of the Alpha
Omega Alpha Honor Society (Iota Chapter) and is a member of the Decherney Society, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine
(ASRM) and the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). Dr. Daneshmand speaks French, Spanish and Farsi.

John Chally, J.D.

John is one of the Directors and Founders of Northwest Surrogacy Center, LLC. He has over 20 years of experience as a surrogacy
attorney, with a focus on securing the legal relationships between intended parents and their children. He also has nearly 40 years
of experience practicing in the areas of adoption and adoption litigation. He has a Martindale-Hubbell rating of AV Preeminent, indicating
the highest level of professional excellence and ethical standards, and is ranked as a Super Lawyer. He is a member of the American
Academy of Adoption Attorneys and the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys. One of the early promoters
of open adoption, John is a former member of the State of Oregon Task Force on Adoption Services and the Oregon Law Foundation
Adoption Committee. In 1985 he co-founded Open Adoption & Family Services, Inc., one of the largest adoption agencies in the
Pacific Northwest. He has published numerous articles and book chapters on adoption and frequently speaks at adoption seminars.

Victoria Ferrara, Esq.

Victoria Ferrara is the Founder and Legal Director of Worldwide Surrogacy Specialists, LLC, a successful surrogacy matching
agency, through which she has helped many couples and individuals have children. One of her achievements is the landmark
decision of Raftopol v. Ramey, 12 A.3d 783 299 Conn. 681 (2011), a Connecticut Supreme Court case that essentially
created a new way to establish legal parentage in Connecticut, i.e., by being a party (Intended Parent) to a valid gestational
agreement regardless of genetic connection to the child to be born to the gestational surrogate. Attorney Ferrara appears
frequently in courts throughout the State of Connecticut for all matters in involving assisted reproduction law, pre-birth orders, and adoptions,
including co-parent and step-parent adoption matters. She is a member of the Academy of Assisted Reproductive Law Attorneys, the Family
Law Institute, the National Gay and Lesbian Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association, and the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association.

Carl Herbert, M.D.

Dr. Herbert graduated from the University of Florida as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He completed both a
residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Herbert
joined the Vanderbilt teaching faculty upon completion of his fellowship and served as the Director of the Reproductive Endocrinology Division
from 1989-90. He is an accomplished clinical researcher and author of numerous articles and chapters for professional medical publications.
In 1982 Dr. Herbert was instrumental in the development of one of the first assisted reproductive technology programs in the United States at
Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He is an internationally recognized fertility specialist who has been performing in-vitro fertilization longer
than any other physician in the Bay Area. This experience provides him with a unique perspective as he incorporates the latest developments in
reproductive technology into patient care. Dr. Herbert is Board Certified by The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in both Obstetrics
and Gynecology and in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

Jennifer White

Jennifer is Co-Director of Colorado Surrogacy. She loves helping people realize their dream of becoming parents and is honored to play a role
in this intimate and life-enhancing journey. After earning a bachelors degree in Justice and Public Safety from Auburn University Montgomery,
Jennifer spent 15 years as a paralegal, most recently in the ART field. Shes also worked in the insurance and medical fields, making her uniquely
qualified to help intended parents and their surrogate sort through any bumps in the road. Thanks to a spouse in the Air Force, Jennifer has lived
in every region of the country as well as Germany and Englandand shes been to every state in the U.S., with the exception of Alaska. Shes
the proud mom of one daughter and two fur-babies. With several half-marathons under her belt, including San Francisco, shes keen to fulfill a
major life goal and run the full 26.2 miles. When you get the chance, ask Jennifer about the playground in Amersham, England, named after her.

11

Donna Raidy

Donna Raidy is our Vice President of Operations and oversees all operations at Fertility Source Companies. Donna has over 30 years of
experience in business management and takes tremendous pride in directing our great team of professional and compassionate staff
who all truly understand and appreciate the journey our Intended Parents are on. Donna is a longtime advocate for childrens rights and
volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in the dependent care system. Donnas love for family and children, coupled
with her extensive management experience is a unique blend that she brings to Fertility Source Companies and our Intended Parents.

Vicken Sahakian, MD

Dr. Sahakian is the Medical Director of Pacific Fertility Center-Los Angeles. Founded in 1992, PFCLA was one of the first private IVF clinics in the
United States. Dr. Sahakian has established one of the most successive IVF programs in the world using the most advanced technologies available
and has performed over 8000 IVF procedures that have resulted in the birth of over 4000 babies all over the world. Dr. Sahakian has special interest
in gestational surrogacy and egg donation thus helping the LGBT community to build families. Over the last 25 years, he has performed over 2000
IVF cycles with third party parenting such as egg donation and/or gestational surrogacy. Recent success rate in this subgroup has been so elevated
that he has instituted comprehensive financial programs aimed to practically guarantee the birth of a child through IVF. The Unlimited Livebirth
financial package allows intended parents to pay a single comprehensive fee to the doctor for unlimited attempts of transfers until a live birth.

Peter Uzelac, MD, FACOG

Dr. Peter Uzelac is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He is a member of the Society for
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (SREI). He is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and has established
practices in Sonoma County, Napa Valley, San Francisco, and Marin County areas. Graduating first in his medical school class at St. Georges
University, he completed a four-year Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Loma Linda University-White Memorial Medical Center in Los
Angeles. Dr. Uzelac spent the next four years practicing high-risk obstetrics with the University of Southern California Perinatal Group where
he developed a concern for how disease states of early pregnancy can have a lasting impact upon offspring. He now brings this one-of-a-kind
perspective and unusually holistic approach to caring for his patients in reproductive medicine. Dr. Uzelac was part of one of the first successful
IVM (in vito maturation) programs in the United States while completing a three-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at
the University of Louisville. He launched his own IVM program at Marin Fertility Center and, in March of 2015, announced the live birth of the
first IVM baby born on the West Coast of the United States.

Cora Jenson

Cora Jenson is the founder and President of Modern Family Surrogacy Center, located in San Diego, California. Cora has built a decade old reputation
in the Surrogacy and Egg Donation field by first being a successful 4 time Surrogate, delivering a set of twins, three separate singletons, being an
Egg Donor, and then ultimately founding Modern Family Surrogacy Center. Cora takes pride in operating an agency that gives personalized service
to each and every Surrogate, Egg Donor, and Intended parent. Surrogacy is her passion and having been through the process personally several
times she believes that making the best possible match between all parties concerned ultimately makes for the best possible journey for all.

Brad Spencer

Brad Spencer is co-owner and co-founder of Same Love Surrogacy, a full service gay owned and operated egg donor and surrogacy agency
based in West Hollywood, CA. Brad partnered with close friends Jay Cook and Danny Wong for the inspiration of Same Love Surrogacy the
personal experience of three gay dads who created their families via surrogacy and egg donation. What all this personal experience taught us
is that more and more LGBTQ individuals are seeking to become parents via assisted reproductive technology, and we want to assist intending
parents through their journey to parenthood will giving back to the LGBTQ community. Brad was born, raised and resides with his husband
and two twin boys in Los Angeles, California. He has worked as a successful investment professional for nearly 20 years. He holds a Bachelor
of Science degree in Business and Finance from California State University Northridge (CSUN). Brads hobbies include tennis, golf, travel, and
spending time with his family. Brad is also an active supporter and volunteer for The Trevor Project, a national non-profit organization dedicated
to preventing suicide among LGBTQ youth.

12

Amy Stewart Kaplan

Amy Stewart Kaplan, President/Founder of West Coast Surrogacy, began her career in reproductive medicine in 1990, and has since devoted
her life to the field. Amy got her start at a Southern California IVF center. It was there she began to realize her passion for reproductive technology,
as well as a desire to assist others in this worthy pursuit. Amy then donated her eggs for two couples, resulting in the births of three children.
After giving birth to her second child, Amy chose to leave her management position to be a stay-at-home mom. However, she soon resumed her
career as a consultant for a surrogate/egg donor agency, working closely with intended parents, donors and surrogates. Years later Amy realized
a longtime desire to become a surrogate mother. Amy calls the experience as a surrogate life altering and an event that had a profound
impact on who (she is) today. Her participation as a gestational surrogate gives her a unique insight into the surrogate mother process that is
appreciated by carriers and intended parents alike.

Christina Thursby

Some search a lifetime to find their passion. Its a calling that changes not only their world but ultimately brings joy to others. The result is
personal happiness. Christina Thursby, found her calling. She has made dreams come true for five families by becoming a surrogate. With her
personal and professional experience, Christina continues to help others from all over the world complete their family as Co-Owner of Its Time
Surrogacy. No matter what youve faced, or familial obstacles youve attempted to overcome, having a family is one goal Christina wants to help
you achieve. Whether you are a parent, a surrogate, or an ITS agency partner, youll find Christina to be devoted, sincere, compassionate and
knowledgeable.

Carly Gonzalez

Carly is a wife to Jose and mother of 2 beautiful children. Lily (10) and Jacob (8) are her very world and the joy and love they have brought her and
her husband has been amazing! Carly and Jose decided after her son was a year old, that their family was complete. Carly loved being pregnant
and decided that she would love to help someone else have their own child, so she looked into becoming a gestational carrier. Carly has been
a Gestational Surrogate, blessing 3 different families with their children. She has had 2 sets of twins, and 2 singleton surrogate pregnancies.
The families she has blessed are forever grateful and have a wonderful relationship with her. Carly started working in 2012 for other surrogate
agencies. Learning how to navigate the ins and outs of the process and developing relationships with other professionals in the industry. Once
she felt comfortable to branch off on her own, she opened Baby Bump Journeys, and with the help of the professionals she works with, has been
able to match wonderful couples with the best surrogate candidate for them.

13

SPONSORS DIRECTORY
SAN DIEGO FERTILITY CENTER

PLATINUM

San Diego Fertility Center physicians: Dr. Susanna Park, Dr. Michael Kettel, Dr. Sandy Chuan, and
Dr. Brooke Friedman, proudly announce the welcome addition of Dr. Said Daneshmand! San Diego
Fertility Center is one of the most highly respected and well-established fertility centers worldwide,
serving a diverse patient population with compassion, respect and confidentiality. With more than 60
years of collective experience diagnosing and treating infertility, San Diego Fertility Center is proud
to offer the LGBT community solutions in achieving parenthood through egg donation, surrogacy,
IVF and Intrauterine Inseminations. San Diego Fertility Center consistently maintains some of the
highest live birth rates for Egg Donor IVF worldwide! San Diego Fertility Center experiences clinical
pregnancy rates of 70% - 80%. Additionally, San Diego Fertility Center partners with national and
international surrogate agencies to help Intended Parents successfully build their families. Unlike
other egg donor agencies, San Diego Fertility Centers in-house Egg Donor Program is supervised
by nationally recognized fertility specialists. Egg Donor IVF recipients have the option of selecting
an in- house candidate or utilizing an agency egg donor. The opportunity for known donation
and future contact is also possible. San Diego Fertility Center has a Success Guarantee financial
program which offers hope, confidence and peace of mind that you have chosen the right team to
build your family!

www.sdfertility.com

CANADIAN FERTILITY CONSULTING

PLATINUM

Canadian Fertility Consultants is Canadas leading full service fertility consulting firm. We know that fertility challenges go beyond borders,
time zones and language; fertility affects us all no matter where we are located. CFC has the knowledge, global reach and capacity to assist
you at anytime, anywhere in the world. Our goal is to support and guide clients through the entire process of building a family. We have
fostered relationships with leading fertility professionals around the world in order to provide the best team. We work closely with clients
to develop a plan that is tailored to their individual needs and one that offers the best chance of success, including access to your embryos
from your preferred clinic. CFC utilizes knowledge from our legal team to make certain each plan is carried out respecting the current legal
framework both within Canada and abroad. We want to ensure this already difficult journey progresses as smoothly, respectfully and as
stress-free as possible.

www.fertilityconsultants.ca

14

OREGON REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE

GOLD

Love is Family. Oregon Reproductive Medicine (ORM) is one of the worlds leading IVF clinics for donor egg surrogacy. For over 25 years we have been helping LGBTQ
intended parents from 40 countries build their families. We are recognized globally for personalized care and consistently achieving among the highest live birth success
rates in recent years a more than 90% live birth rate with more than 70% twins in our donor egg surrogacy program. ORM Donors is our in-house egg donor program.
Our locally-based donors are fully and rigorously-screened which minimizes time, risk and cost for intended parents. ORM Surrogacy is our program for intended parents
working with a surrogate as part of their family building. ORM is one of the most experienced IVF clinics for surrogacy, with a dedicated team for managing these complex
processes and longstanding relationships with the most experienced and respected surrogacy agencies. ORM Genomics is our program for integrating the most advanced
reproductive genomics care and screening into every journey. Our team of in-house genetics counselors works with every donor and intended parent. Our goal is to give
every intended parent the very best chance for success and a healthy baby on their first attempt.

www.oregonreproductivemedicine.com

CALIFORNIA FERTILITY PARTNERS

GOLD

California Fertility Partners is credited with helping to make some of the worlds first IVF babies. Our babies are now 30. We have been helping gay men to have children
through egg donation and surrogacy for the past two decades. The physicians and scientists at California Fertility Partners have dedicated their careers to helping patients
build healthy and happy families. Our physicians are board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and have established international reputations for their
expertise in IVF, egg donation, surrogacy, and reproductive surgery. They attract patients from around the globe for their expertise in reproductive medicine. In addition to
excelling in patient care, our team has made significant research contributions which have advanced the field of reproductive medicine. We believe that the best results can
be obtained by providing personalized and individualized care to each of our patients. Each new patient is assigned a specially trained nurse to help provide care during the
treatment cycle. All exams and procedures are performed by the patients personal physician. We believe this close and attentive care can help bring optimal outcomes.

www.californiafertilitypartners.com

NORTHWEST SURROGACY CENTER

GOLD

Founded in 1994 by attorneys specializing in surrogacy and adoption, Northwest Surrogacy Center, LLC is the leading and most successful surrogacy program on the
West Coast. NWSC is dedicated to helping people of all kinds create the families they have dreamed of by matching intended parents with caring, responsible surrogates.
We provide unparalleled service throughout the surrogacy process, from the application process to the birth and beyond. NWSC is consistently ranked one of the best
surrogacy agencies overall by the Men Having Babies survey, with lower than average costs and wait times, and higher than average success rates. We work with Oregon
Reproductive Medicine (ORM), one of the most successful IVF clinics in the world. In addition to its flagship office in Portland, Oregon, NWSC also has an office in the heart
of San Francisco, California.

www.nwsurrogacycenter.com

SIMPLE SURROGACY

GOLD

Simple Surrogacy was founded in 2002 to assist couples and individuals in achieving a family through assisted reproduction. We were founded
on one simple principle: to provide our clients with the highest standard of care at an affordable price. We are one of the largest surrogacy and
egg donation agencies in the U.S., and are highly regarded in the surrogacy community for our expertise, support and professionalism. Simple
Surrogacy has worked with many International Clients on their journey to becoming parents, using our personal attention to detail, prompt
response and matching times, and affordable prices. Our counselors, coordinators and owners are all experienced in assisted reproduction, as
former surrogates, Intended Parents or Egg Donors. It is our pleasure to offer our clients that insiders expert knowledge at significantly reduced
costs that enable many people to become Parents through Surrogacy.

www.simplesurrogacy.com

15

WORLDWIDE SURROGACY SPECIALISTS, LLC

SILVER

Worldwide Surrogacy Specialists LLC was founded by leading reproductive lawyer, Victoria T. Ferrara. The worldwide team guides and informs diverse and hopeful parents
through their surrogacy journeys with compassion, professionalism and the highest ethical standards. Worldwide is dedicated to providing premier service including
attentive, individualized representation to all of our clients so that Intended Parents can focus on the joys of having children. Victoria has been practicing law in the area of
assisted reproductive technology for over 25 years and she lectures to physicians, potential parents, universities, and lawyers around the world. Victoria has proudly fought
for the rights of the GLBTQ community and in 2015, she received the Lambda Legal Award in recognition for her commitment to equality. Victoria also won a historic and
landmark court decision in the Connecticut Supreme Court, Raftopol v. Ramie, which was a major beneficial change in surrogacy law. Victoria and her partner, Michelle, of
23 years, are the proud parents of two sons, ages 16 and 21. She is a member of the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Lawyers as well as the American Bar
Association Family Law/Assisted Reproduction Committee, and she is the author of Gestational Surrogacy, A Primer.

www.worldwidesurrogacy.org

IARC

SILVER

IARC has extensive expertise in surrogacy and egg donation programs based on over 1,000 births to intended parents of all types around the globe. We are proud to offer fullservice support with all legal, medical, financial, emotional, and educational aspects of this process while always remaining concerned about the well-being of all parties in the
process. You may count on us for thorough education, transparency, and personalized attention. This is not a one size fits all process, and we help intended parents to make
decisions that are best for their needs. This is an emotional step but also one that is filled with excitement. Joining your family on this journey would be our sincere privilege!

www.fertilityhelp.com

CREATIVE FAMILY CONNECTIONS

SILVER

Founded in 2001 by Diane Hinson, Creative Family Connections LLC, is a full-service surrogate matching agency and law firm. CFC passionately upholds the principle
that everyone can build a familyDiane began her own family as a single parent. CFC provides its clients more than half of which are same-sex couples with
premiere concierge-level support from its caring case managers, as well as expert legal services, all in one integrated entity. The surrogate screening process at CFC is
highly rigorous, resulting in the acceptance of only 2% of potential candidates who apply. CFCs surrogates are not only healthy and clinically pre-approved, but they have
a deep desire to help build someones family. CFCs mission is to make every surrogacy journey as happy and stress-free as possible, while also legal and ethical. CFC is
honored to be ranked as a top surrogacy company in the world by parents who have completed their surrogacy journey, as compiled by Men Having Babies. Diane and her
team collaborated with fellow surrogacy attorneys to develop an in-depth 50-state surrogacy law analysis, at www.surrogacymap.com, which is relied on throughout the
surrogacy world and is frequently cited in the media, including the New York Times and CNN.

www.creativefamilyconnections.com

PACIFIC FERTILITY CENTER-SAN FRANCISCO

SILVER

Pacific Fertility Centers (PFC) devoted team of physicians is recognized nationally and internationally for their extensive clinical experience, outstanding academic credentials
and research contributions, as well as for their success in treating the most challenging fertility cases. Each PFC physician is a Certified Subspecialist in Reproductive
Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Their physicians have held faculty positions at leading research universities.
Each physician has actively participated in clinical research to advance the safety and success of infertility treatments. As a group, PFCs physicians have performed IVF
procedures longer than any other program in the Bay Area. Additionally, PFCs clinical laboratory director is internationally recognized for his decades of work in human
embryology. He and his team of extensively trained, certified embryologists are devoted to leading this field in research and new technology.

www.pacificfertilitycenter.com
16

FERTILITY & SURGICAL ASSOCIATES OF CALIFORNIA

SILVER

Fertility & Surgical Associates of California (FSAC) is a progressive team of experts providing state of the art and personalized reproductive care, in a compassionate and
intimate environment. FSAC believes that everyone deserves to have the family of their dreams and is dedicated to helping gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals or
couples on their journey to parenthood through the services we provide. We are fortunate to have experienced tremendous growth since we opened our doors in 1999. We
care for our patients today, the same way we cared for the first patient who walked through our doors - with respect, care, and compassion. Patients throughout the United
States and abroad choose FSAC because of our excellent live birth and pregnancy success rates and unparalleled level of medical care.

www.fertilityassociates.com

COLORADO SURROGACY

SILVER

Colorado Surrogacy is a professional, friendly, Colorado-focused agency committed to growing families through gestational surrogacy. They provide assistance to same-sex
couples, and single men and women seeking to start a family through assisted reproductive technology. They screen and select qualified, open-hearted surrogates to help
make your dreams of a child come true. Their services support and protect the health and family of the surrogate motherthe cornerstone of this extraordinary journey
and empower, grow and protect the family about to be created. Colorado has one of the most surrogacy-friendly judicial systems in the country. Colorado courts routinely
grant intended parents pre-birth parentage orders (PBOs) before the baby is delivered. Your name(s) goes on the birth certificate and theres no lengthy and expensive
adoption. Perhaps most importantly, Colorado does not use gender to dictate who can be a parent.

www.coloradosurro.com

FERTILITY SOURCE COMPANIES

SILVER

Fertility SOURCE Companies mission is to provide individuals who are unable to conceive with the assistance they need to become parents, including matching them with
an egg donor, surrogate or both. As one of the largest egg donor and surrogacy agencies operating in the United States, Fertility SOURCE Companies is proud to provide
our clientele with the most comprehensive third party reproductive care and coordination. Through its divisions, The Donor SOURCE and The Surrogacy SOURCE, the
companys commitment is to provide the highest degree of compassion, support and guidance to recipients, egg donors and surrogates. Fertility SOURCE Companies is
proud to serve our LGBT community. As the world of assisted reproduction continues to advance, LGBT families have the distinct opportunity to pave the way for families
empowered by choice that refuse to be limited by conception challenges or biological origin.

www.thesurrogacysource.com

PACIFIC FERTILITY CENTER-LOS ANGELES (PFCLA)

SILVER

We can trace our roots to the introduction of in-vitro fertilization into mainstream medicine. Pacific Fertility Center-Los Angeles (PFCLA) was founded in 1992 by the team
that pioneered the nations first private in-vitro fertilization center. Since that time, our physicians have introduced several innovations in the treatment of infertility, and
we have been at the vanguard in defining standards of care and accountability. Were proud to note that thousands of children across the world owe their conception to
the treatment their parents received with us. Our mission is to help you have a baby, regardless of your marital status, the ticking of your biological clock or your sexual
orientation. We are proud to report that we have completed over a thousand gestational surrogacy cycles and helped hundreds of gay men, women and couples achieve
their dream of parenthood.

www.pfcla.com
17

MODERN FAMILIES SURROGACY CENTER

SILVER

At Modern Family Surrogacy, we specialize in the creation of families through third-party reproduction. We understand that surrogacy is a process in which you are
emotionally and financially invested. You are not alone, we are here to take you by the hand and guide you through each and every step of the process. Our ultimate goal is
to see you holding your baby in your arms. We are proud to have guided hundreds of families through the Surrogacy process with over 250 babies being born to date. We
are proud to allow you to choose a Surrogate, speak with her, and confirm your match PRIOR to retaining our services or paying a fee. We take great pride in the work we
do and love helping fulfill others dreams of becoming parents.

www.modernfamilysurrogacy.com

SAME LOVE SURROGACY

SILVER

A full service gay owned and operated egg donor and surrogacy agency based in West Hollywood, CA. Owners Brad Spencer, Jay Cook and Danny Wong are the inspiration
of Same Love Surrogacy the personal experience of three gay dads who created their families via surrogacy and egg donation. What all this personal experience taught
us is that more and more LGBTQ individuals are seeking to become parents via assisted reproductive technology, and we want to assist intending parents through their
journey to parenthood will giving back to the LGBTQ community. Thats where Same Love Surrogacy comes in. The three agency owners wanted to create a surrogacy
agency tailored to the unique needs of LGBTQ intended parents. We wanted our agency to offer person-to-person guidance to LGBTQ people embarking on the journey
to parenthood, informed by our more than 15 years of cumulative experience with surrogacy and donor services as well as our own perspectives as LGBTQ parents and
surrogate to LGBTQ parents.

www.samelovesurrogacy.com

NEW ENGLAND FERTILITY

SILVER

Dr. Gad Lavy founded New England Fertility in 1991, with the goal of providing state-of-the-art fertility treatment to couples and individuals seeking help conceiving. New
England Fertility was the first non-hospital-based outpatient in vitro fertilization (IVF) center in the state of Connecticut, as well as the first infertility treatment center in
Connecticut to have a baby born from a cryopreserved egg. New England Fertility was also a pioneer in providing innovative fertility therapies such as intracytoplasmic
sperm injection (ICSI), pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), and egg freezing, and is recognized as one of the largest egg donor/gestational surrogacy programs in
Fairfield County, Connecticut.

www.nefertility.com

EMD SERONO

BRONZE

EMD Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is a specialized biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing therapies with
groundbreaking potential. At EMD Serono, we recognized the potential of specialty pharmaceuticals and patient care long ago, and have been dedicated to delivering on their
promise ever since. We have a legacy of both trying to find solutions to hard to treat conditions, as well as developing patient assistance programs that help ensure that those
who need our therapies are able to access them. As one of the top five U.S. companies exclusively focused on specialty care, we see our innovation as a matter of balancing
science with emotion integrating our top minds in research and development with the insights from patients and health care practitioners confronting real- world concerns.

www.emdserono.com

18

SAN FRANCISCO EGG BANK

BRONZE

Located in San Franciscos Marina neighborhood, we are a team of reproductive physicians who offer support to all intended parents by way of egg donation, precision IVF,
surrogacy services, and more. Our unconventional approach to IVF is a perfect blend of technology, convenience and the human touch. Dr. Uzelac and Dr. Agard, bring a
vast compilation of experience as Reproductive Endocrinologists, offering the highest quality of medical care. Over the past decade, fertility treatments have undergone a
series of dramatic advances. We embrace all new technology to improve the patient experience, offering an array of treatment approaches suited to each patient. By offering
treatments using less medications, needing fewer office visits, available lower cost options, we personalize fertility care to our patients needs. SF Egg Bank rises above the
competition, with programs and affordability providing opportunity for patients to stay in treatment to attain their goal of having a healthy baby.

www.sfeggbank.com

EXTRAORDINARY CONCEPTIONS

BRONZE

Extraordinary Conceptions is an International Egg Donor and Surrogacy Agency founded by Intended Parents, which has been in business for over 10 years. The longevity
alone stands out among the rest; in addition to our lengthy involvement in the field we also have an in house Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, Insurance Specialist,
Notary Republic, Accounting Department, 9 Gestational Carrier Coordinators, experienced egg donors and surrogates on staff for 24/7 support, 8 languages spoken fluently
on premises and access to a Reproductive Law Office at all times. Most importantly we have a Stress Free Policy, which means we do not charge any money to view our
database, Nor do we collect an Agency fee until contracts are signed. We are proud that we have successfully helped intended parents from all over the world in creating
their families with over 2,000 babies born.

www.extraconceptions.com

WEST COAST SURROGACY AND WEST COAST EGG DONATION

BRONZE

West Coast Surrogacy and West Coast Egg Donation uses a team-oriented approach that provides the highest level of integrity, support, and compassion. It is our pledge
to guide you through every step of this life-changing process, acting as both a resource for information and an unparalleled support system for intended parents, surrogate
mothers and egg donors. WCS offers a program focused on healthy pregnancy for both surrogate and baby.

www.westcoastsurrogacy.com

ALEX MACNAB, MOE HANNAH LLP

BRONZE

Moe Hannah LLP is a boutique Family and Fertility law firm of eight lawyers which has been serving clients for twenty years in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Our firms goal is
to ensure that clients will make each decision with their eyes wide open with a clear understanding of the possible consequences of those decisions. Our firm strives to work
with clients to determine the approach that best suits their needs and that of their family. We help focus clients on the path to resolving issues in a respectful and transparent
way through a variety of options. At Moe Hannah LLP, we draw on our decades of experience and resources to work on your behalf.

www.surrogacylawyercanada.com

19

DONOR CONCIERGE

BRONZE

Donor Concierge is a hands-on expert service that helps find the right egg donors and surrogates to match with client families. Our trained case managers have a track
record of outstanding results helping families find the right donor/surrogate through the best industry connections. This team of compassionate, highly educated case
managers tailors each search to find the best egg donor and surrogate matches to help you create your family. We work closely with more than 100 of the best agencies
and fertility professionals and bring a unique insight and understanding of the third party fertility industry world. We are your advocate and friend through this most poignant
journey guiding you and helping you make decisions that will enable you to welcome the child youve been waiting for.

www.DonorConcierge.com

THE WALD LAW GROUP

BRONZE

The Wald Law Group is an all-purpose family law firm based in San Francisco. Its founder, Deborah Wald, has been certified as a Family Law Specialist by the State Bar
of California and was named a Northern California Super Lawyer for 2015. While her firm handles all aspects of family law, Ms. Walds primary practice areas include
Parentage Litigation, Custody, Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Law. Ms. Wald serves as an Advisor to the State Bar of Californias Family Law Executive Committee
(FlexCom) and is a fellow of the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys (AAARTA), the reproductive law committee of the American Bar
Association, and the Academies of California Adoption and Family Formation Lawyers. In addition, she is Chair of the National Family Law Advisory Council for the National
Center for Lesbian Rights.

www.waldlaw.net

ITS TIME SURROGACY

BRONZE

Its Time Surrogacy is a San Diego based surrogacy agency which is owned and operated by two women who have dedicated their lives to the
infertility world. Angela Hartshorn, the founder/Co-Owner of Its Time Surrogacy has been in the field since 1994 and has a plethora of knowledge.
Her enriched clinical experience makes her able to help their clients navigate the fertility process smoothly. Christina Thursby, Co-Owner, has
served as a gestational surrogate five times over the last decade. Each journey was unique, brought her immeasurable joy and equipped her
with the skills to support everyone along the journey. Their services are geared towards a family approach and they pride themselves on offering
impeccable services and support throughout the entire process. With these two on your side your journey will be in capable and caring hands.

www.itstimesurrogacy.com

BABY BUMP JOURNEYS

BRONZE

Baby Bump Journeys is a compassionately ran Surrogate Agency. Carly Gonzalez and her team provide personal surrogacy
experiences and utilize those experiences to help the future surrogates in their journey. We offer a more personalized touch to
each intended parent and surrogate through the entire surrogacy journey. From matching Intended Parents with the best surrogate
candidate, attending appointments, and being available to both the intended parent and surrogate when they are in need. We
pride ourselves in being very hands on, offering complete support and really getting to know each client and surrogate. Due to our
personal and professional experiences in the field of surrogacy, we feel you will be in the best hands with us. We have excellent relationships with many professionals in the
field and hope you will give Baby Bump Journeys a chance to help you.

www.babybumpjourneys.com

OHSU FERTILITY CONSULTANTS

BRONZE

At OHSU Fertility Consultants, patients near and far take advantage of our outstanding services. We are committed to providing the most advanced
medical treatments. With twenty years of expertise, we are one of the most established egg donation programs on the West Coast. Couples
who want to be parents feel confident choosing us because of our experience and success rates. We have helped couples from the Pacific
Northwest, California, other parts of the USA, China and Europe. OHSU is committed to ensuring that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
patients are welcomed, respected and given culturally competent care. OHSU earned top marks in meeting non-discrimination and training criteria
that demonstrate its commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients, and their families, who can face significant challenges in securing
the quality health care and respect they deserve.

www.ohsu.edu/xd/health/services/women/services/fertility/index.cfm
20

21

WE HELPED CREATE SOME OF

THE WORLDS FIRST IVF BABIES
IVF, SURROGACY, EGG DONATION, GAY FAMILY BUILDING
California Fertility Partners has been helping men and women
of the LGBT Community to have babies and build happy families for over twenty years.

GUY RINGLER, MD
11818 WILSHIRE BLVD, STE 300 | LOS ANGELES, CA | 310.828.4008 TEL
WWW.CALIFORNIAFERTILITYPARTNERS.COM

22

GROW YOUR FAMILY

with the

EXPERTS

IVF | EGG DONORS | SURROGACY | REPRODUCTIVE GENOMICS

OregonReproductiveMedicine.com

+1 503.274.4994

DR. MELVIN THORNTON II

AC T I N G M E D I CA L D I R E C TO R
& D I R E C TO R O F T H E E G G D O N O R P R O GR A M

Dr. Thorntons expertise in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

combined with his warm nature ensures that each of his patients feels
cared for and supported throughout their experience. He places an
emphasis on individualized care and focuses on helping each patient
determine the path that is right for them as they go through the journey
of creating their family.

HELPING YOU ACHIEVE YOUR

FAMILY BUILDING DREAMS

Dr. Thorntons experience includes 15 years as the Medical Director of the

Columbia University IVF program and nine years as Director of their donor
egg program. He is passionate about helping patients realize their dreams of
family through egg donation and his personalized approach enables him to
provide the best care possible for his patients.

SINCE 1991 WE HAVE HELPED OVER 5,000 FAMILIES

OUR MISSION
CT Fertility strives to provide all patients every available
option for building their family. For the last 25 years we have
been a leader in fertility, and have been widely recognized
throughout Europe and the U.S. as a preeminent fertility center
for advanced reproductive care of infertile couples, singles
and same-sex couples. We take great pride in partnering with,
guiding and empowering our patients to achieve their unique
family building goals.

DR. JOAO DE PINHO

LEAD PHYSICIAN

Dr. De Pinho was born in Portuguese and speaks Spanish,

Portuguese, French and English, as well as some German and Italian.
After graduating from Baylor College of Medicine, he went on to
complete an advanced fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and
Infertility at Columbia University in New York City where he
participated in multiple research projects and authored numerous
publications in Obstetrics, Oncologic Gynecology, Urogynecology
and Reproductive Medicine. Additionally, he authored original works
in the areas of infertility, ethics of egg donor programs, HIV and
reproduction and the development of new egg freezing techniques.

OUR LOCATIONS
Based in a brand-new facility in beautiful Trumbull, CT, just 90
minutes north of New York City, CT Fertility also has offices in
Manhattan. And we are thrilled to announce our expansion into
Europe with a new office in Barcelona, Spain. By expanding our
capacity and presence, we hope to bring new family building
options to patients around the world.

OUR PHYSICIANS
To accommodate our growing patient demand, we are pleased
to welcome two leaders in the field of Reproductive Medicine
to our team.

23

CT Fertility - Connecticut

CT Fertility - Manhattan

CT Fertility - Europe

100 Technology Drive, Suite 210

Trumbull, CT 06611
+1 203-373-1200 (Telephone)
+1 203-365-6516 (Fax)
www.ctfertility.com

110 East 55th Street, 9th Floor

New York, NY 10022
+1 212-754-1200 (Telephone)
+1 212-754-1200 (Fax)
www.ctfertility.com

Ronda de la Universitat, 9 - 6
08007 Barcelona, Spain
+34 931-591-113
www.ctfertility.com

Let our family help create

your family!

Your Family
Building
Resource

Oering compassionate and

cost-conscious guidance to
surrogacy and egg donor
journeys for over 25 years

ivf
surrogacy
egg donation

gayparentstobe.com
844.203.7208

ferlityhelp . com
info@iarc-usa . com
24

25

To Start Your Family,

Start With A Caring
Partnership.
Our caring, knowledgeable professionals provide
exceptional guidance along the path to parenthood
through surrogacy, from comprehensive surrogacy
matching services to legal advice and counseling.

Visit us to download a FREE copy of our

best-selling surrogacy primer.
WorldwideSurrogacy.org/SanFran
WorldwideSurrogacy.org
or call (203) 255-9877

2017

EVENTS
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

March 2-3, 2017Beautiful Israel / Yarkon Park

CHICAGO

April 8-9, 2017Center on Halsted

DALLAS

June 10-11, 2017

Wyndham Dallas Suites Park Central

Brussels

September 23-24, 2017Hilton Brussels Grand Place

New York

November 12, 2017JCC Manhattan, not final

26

FROM THE SURROGACY ADVISOR PEER RATINGS DIRECTORY

from www.menhavingbabies.org/ratings as of 12/24/16
Overall
Score

Golden Surrogacy
Creative Family Connections
All Families Surrogacy
NW Surrogacy
IARC
Worldwide Surrogacy Specialists
Fertility Miracles
ARTParenting
The Surrogacy Source
Simple Surrogacy
Surrogate Alternatives (SAI)
Circle Surrogacy
Family Source Consultants
Growing Generations
Extraordinary Conceptions
Reproductive Possibilities
Center for Surrogate Parenting (CSP)
Surro Connections
Same Love Surrogacy
Canadian Surrogacy Options
Lotus Blossom Consulting
ConceiveAbilities
Tammuz
Lotus Surrogacy
Viva Family

# of
Average
Reviews Journey Cost

Average
Journey
Length
(months)

Web Site

USA SURROGACY AGENCIES WITH 10+ REVIEWS

9.91
11
$126,000
17
www.goldensurrogacy.com
9.63
48
$134,000
19
www.creativefamilyconnections.com
9.6
10
$138,000
16
www.allfamiliessurrogacy.com
9.24
46
$115,000
18
www.nwsurrogacycenter.com
9.17
29
$108,000
23
www.fertilityhelp.com/
9.08
40
$125,000
18
www.assistedreproductionlaw.com
8.91
22
$125,000
17
www.fertilitymiracles.com
8.91
23
$97,000
20
www.artparenting.com
8.8
10
$113,000
15
www.thesurrogacysource.com
8.71
52
$96,000
18
www.simplesurrogacy.com
8.65
20
$125,000
23
www.surrogatealternatives.com
8.14
121
$131,000
19
www.circlesurrogacy.com
8.03
31
$96,000
20
www.familysourcesurrogacy.com
7.58
19
$166,000
21
www.growinggenerations.com
7.55
20
$138,000
18
www.extraconceptions.com
7.15
26
$126,000
21
www.reproductivepossibilities.com
6.45
11
$129,000
20
www.creatingfamilies.com
USA SURROGACY AGENCIES WITH LESS THAN 10 REVIEWS
9.60
5
$116,000
14
www.surroconnections.com
9.33
3
$127,000
16
www.samelovesurrogacy.com
9.00
5
$84,000
22
www.canadiansurrogacyoptions.com
9.00
5
$128,000
23
www.LotusBlossomConsulting.com
8.67
6
$110,000
18
www.conceiveabilities.com
SURROGACY OUTSIDE THE USA
9.31
35
$73,000
16
www.tammuz.com
9.30
27
$68,000
14
www.lotussurrogacy.com
9.25
8
$71,000
20
www.viva-family.com

IVF CLINICS
Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine
California Fertility Partners
CT Fertility
Fertility center of Las Vegas
Fertility & Surgical Associates of CA
Fort Worth Fertility
La Jolla IVF
Shady Grove Fertility Center
Oregon Reproductive Medicine
Fertility Center of IL (FCI)
RMA NJ
HRC Fertilty
Pacific Fertility Center (PFCLA)
New England Fertility (NEF)
aParent IVF
ReproMed
San Diego Fertility Center (SDFC)
Fertility Specialists of Texas
Reproductive Medicine Associates of CT (RMACT)
Oregon Health & Science U. (OHSU)
Center for Assisted Reproduction (CARE Fertility)
Cardone Reproductive
Markham (Canada)

Overall
Score

# of
Reviews

First cycle success

CLINICS WITH 10+ REVIEWS

9.8
33
74%
9.7
13
77%
9.3
161
76%
9.3
33
84%
9.3
11
82%
9.2
22
65%
9.2
23
83%
9.2
18
65%
9
60
88%
9
31
73%
8.8
16
67%
8.5
17
75%
8.2
29
54%
7.2
14
50%
CLINICS WITH LESS THAN 10 REVIEWS
10
6
100%
9.6
5
60%
9.6
7
100%
9.4
7
100%
9.4
7
71%
9.2
5
75%
9.1
7
86%
7.3
4
25%
5.9
7
43%
27

Web Site

www.vcrmed.com
www.californiafertilitypartners.com
www.ctfertility.com
www.fertilitycenterlv.com
www.fertilityassociates.com
www.fwivf.com
www.lajollaivf.com
www.shadygrovefertility.com
www.oregonreproductivemedicine.com
fcionline.com
www.rmanj.com
www.havingbabies.com
www.pfcla.com.
www.nefertility.com
www.aparentivf.com
www.repromed.ca
www.sdfertility.com
www.fertilitytexas.com
www.rmact.com
www.ohsu.edu
www.embryo.net
www.cardonerepromed.com
www.markhamfertility.com

ABOUT MEN HAVING BABIES

With over 4,500 future and current gay parents worldwide, the international nonprofit Men Having
Babies (MHB) is dedicated to providing its members with educational and financial support. Each year
over a thousand attendees benefit from unbiased guidance and access to a wide range of relevant
service providers at its monthly workshops in NYC and conferences in NYC, Chicago, Brussels, San
Francisco, Dallas and Tel Aviv. The organizations Gay Parenting Assistance Program (GPAP) provides
dozens of couples annually with over a million dollars worth of cash grants, discounts and free services
from over fifty leading service providers. Collaborating with an advisory board made up of surrogates,
MHB developed a Framework for Ethical Surrogacy, which has received endorsements from leading
LGBT parenting organizations worldwide. In addition, MHB offers extensive online resources, a
directory with ratings and reviews of agencies and clinics, a Surrogacy Speakers Bureau, and a vibrant
online community forum.

SURROGACY WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES

MHB offers monthly workshops in NYC, as well as annual conferences in New York,
San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, Tel Aviv and Brussels. These conferences, which
are organized with the help of prominent LGBT parenting organizations, provide
unparalleled opportunities to get unbiased information, access a wide range of relevant
service providers, and connect with others going through the surrogacy process.
Special interest panels for parents, prospects and professionals include topics such as
parenting for HIV+ men, speaking to your children about surrogacy and gay parenting,
testimonies from teenagers born via surrogacy, and ethical considerations in surrogacy.

THE GAY PARENTING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (GPAP)

The Gay Parenting Assistance Program (GPAP) was created as part of our mission to
make surrogacy services more affordable for gay men. GPAP annually provides dozens of
couples with access to substantial discounts and about $750,000 in cash grants and free
services from about fifty leading service providers. Funds for this program come from event
sponsorship fees and direct donations. Applications for discounts (Stage I) are accepted on
a rolling basis, and candidates for grants (Stage II) are evaluated annually.

THE SURROGACY ADVISOR DIRECTORY

In an effort to promote transparency and affordability, MHB conducts extensive surveys of
hundreds of surrogacy clients. Using the data we receive, we compile exclusive rating tables
with satisfaction levels for various agencies and clinics, as well as success rates, and real
cost figures. This information has already helped many prospective parents save thousands of
dollars by identifying affordable, effective providers. The directory includes a comprehensive
listing of over 100 providers from the USA and beyond with contact information, descriptions
of services, video introductions, and reviews. A universal consultation request form allows our
members to contact dozens of providers in one step.

ADVOCACY AND RESEARCH

Together with our Surrogates Advisory Committee and community partners worldwide, MHB
works to promote a Framework for Ethical Surrogacy that benefit all parties involved. We also
work to raise awareness about surrogacy by assisting academic studies, maintaining the
MHB Surrogacy Forum on Facebook for dads and surrogates, and setting up the first ever
Surrogacy Speakers Bureau.