Michael Doyle, M.D.

Dr. Doyle is the founder and medical director of CT Fertility, which he started in 1991 after completing his advanced fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology at Yale University. Prior to that he received his undergraduate degree from Brown University; his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco; and his residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Over 6,000 babies have been born to parents who have been successfully treated by Dr. Doyle, including over 500 for LGBT families who consistently praise him as a highly skilled expert who balances great technical expertise with a highly caring, hands-on and flexible approach. Dr. Doyle has authored numerous articles, research papers and book chapters, he is a frequent speaker at medical meetings and conferences, and acts as the resident expert on prominent community and professional portals including Fertility Authority, Family Equality Council, Proud Parenting, Surromoms Online, and the Center Families. In 2009 the outstanding results of his Frozen Donor Egg Bank were featured to an international audience at the ESHRE conference in Amsterdam.

Kate Ellis-Davies, Ph.D.

Dr. Kate Ellis-Davies is a researcher and lectures at the University of Cambridge, England. Kate’s primary research interest is in studying men’s adaptation to fatherhood. Kate’s research aims to further understanding and aid evidence-based reform in policy and legislation. Kate is leading an international project, in a collaboration with Men Having Babies and Notre Dame University, into how gay fathers biologically adapt as they pursue parenting through surrogacy, the Men2Fathers Study. Kate also manages a European project on gay father and child well-being, the New Parents Study, and has had her research published in international journal, textbooks, and discussed in the press.

Victoria T. 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.

Sergio Gomez

Sergio Gomez has worked in CARE Mexico since 2013 as Journey Coordinator and Press & Media Officer, helping couples and individuals from across the globe to fulfill the creation of their family. He has worked in diplomacy for more than 5 years as an interpreter and translator for Ambassadors and International Delegations. He is speaks 5 languages fluently and he´s experienced in Public and International Relations, excelling communications skills. He holds a Masters degree in linguistics by the National School of History and Anthropology.

Kristen Hanson

Kristen Hanson is the Co-Owner and Executive Director of Finance and Contracts at Simple Surrogacy. Kristen oversees the financial aspects of Simple Surrogacy, as well as managing the escrow accounts of our clients. Kristen’s legal responsibilities include working with associate attorneys to determine state laws and required legal proceedings; locating separate legal counsel experienced in surrogacy law for Client and Surrogate; review and assist in negotiating the surrogacy contract between Recipient Couple and Surrogate; and overseeing all necessary legal filings and procedures (such as pre-birth orders and step parent adoptions) to establish parental rights for Intended Parents. Kristen’s escrow responsibilities include overseeing the escrow and managing the account; monitoring and authorizing disbursements in accordance with your contract; and sending intended parents itemized monthly statements of the escrow activity. Kristen’s first priority is to make sure all of our client’s money is handled in the most responsible way, that our Surrogates never receive a late payment, and that our clients are assured that their money is well managed. Kristen is an experienced Egg Donor, and has extensive first-hand knowledge of the donation process.

John Hesla, M.D.

John S. Hesla, MD, is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist specializing in the treatment and care of patients with infertility issues. He joined Oregon Reproductive Medicine in 1999 as the co-founder of its groundbreaking IVF program — helping to build one of the first embryology laboratory clean rooms in the world. Dr. Helsa is internationally recognized for his innovative methods for treating infertility, and for his overall tenacity and dedication to helping patients achieve their dream of a successful pregnancy. Prior to joining ORM, Dr. Hesla was director of IVF and head of reproductive surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Hesla is globally recognized by the LGBTQ community for his compassionate approach and consistent success. This past June Pride, Dr. Hesla was invited by the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai to discuss helping LGBTQ families on their road to parenthood. D.r Hesla has been instrumental in setting ORM’s high standards for our medically screened Donor Egg Program, as well as for surrogates and their comprehensive medical screening. He is honored to be attending and speaking today.

Diane Hinson, Esq.

Diane Hinson is the Owner, Founder and Managing Attorney of Creative Family Connections LLC, an international Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) law firm that focuses exclusively on legal issues pertaining to surrogacy and also helps match intended parents to gestational surrogates. Diane is recognized as a legal expert in the area of ART within the surrogacy community and as a leading family building resource around the world. She offers legal information to readers of the Surromomsonline Forum called “Ask Attorney Diane Hinson, Esq.” Diane is an elected Fellow of the American Association of Assisted Reproductive Attorneys (AAARTA), is an active member of the Reproduction Law subcommittee of the American Bar Association (ABA), and serves as a professional member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM) Legal Practice Group. In support of LGBT, Diane provides surrogacy-related guidance and pro-bono services to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), regularly speaks at the Family Equality Council’s conferences, acts as a guest teacher for the “Maybe Baby” class, sponsored by Rainbow Families DC.

Dr. Mark P. Leondires, M.D.

Dr. Mark P. Leondires is Medical Director and Partner at Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMACT) and Gay Parents To Be. He is board-certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Prior to joining RMACT, he served as the Director of Assisted Reproductive Technologies at the Combined Federal Program for Reproductive Endocrinology. During this time he was an Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and clinical faculty for the Combined Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology. He received his undergraduate degree from Colby College. He earned his medical degree from the University Of Vermont College Of Medicine. He completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine followed by a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. His professional society memberships include the Society of Reproductive Endocrinologists, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

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 2013 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.

Mary Riddle, Ph.D.

Dr. Riddle received her PH.D. in Clinical Health Psychology from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology of Yeshiva University. Dr. Riddle is on faculty at The Pennsylvania State University in the Department of Psychology. Her private practice (Family Life Psychological Services, LLC) is in State College, PA. Her area of expertise is in the evaluation and counseling of gestational surrogacy arrangements. Current research interests include various aspects of Gestational Surrogacy including the psychological well-being of the biological children of surrogates. Dr. Riddle is a member of the Mental Health Professional Group of The American Society for Reproductive Medicine. She is the past Chair of the Mental Health Professional Group as well as the past Chair of the Scientific Development Committee. Dr. Riddle serves on the Editorial Board of Fertility and Sterility, the medical journal of The American Society for Reproductive Medicine. She is also a reviewer for Reproductive Biomedicine online. Dr. Riddle was recently selected by the American Psychological Association to attend the 2015-2016 Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology.

Bruce Shapiro, M.D.

The Fertility Center of Las Vegas founder, Dr. Bruce Shapiro, has dedicated more than twenty years of scientific research to improving the safety and success of fertility treatments. Dr. Shapiro’s findings have reduced the incidence of side effects following ovarian stimulation, improved embryo transfer techniques, and increased implantation rates allowing the transfer of fewer embryos. This has resulted in better safety and success through good science, ultimately leading to some of the highest reported birth rates in the United States. Dr. Shapiro presents his widely published research worldwide. Dr. Shapiro holds Specialty Board Certification in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Subspecialty Board Certification in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI). He established and heads the University of Nevada School of Medicine Division of REI. Dr. Shapiro also holds a Ph.D. from the University of Amsterdam, Holland. He completed his REI fellowship at Yale University after his residency at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Cindy R. Wasser, LLB

With her unique background as a high profile criminal defence lawyer for almost 30 years and, extraordinary journey as an Intended Parent, Cindy Wasser offers an unparalleled service to Intended Parents, Surrogates and Donors. Her firm, Hope Springs Fertility Law™ is one of the leading firms in Canada with a large international clientele. When the RCMP investigation into ART began in February 2012, Cindy was called upon to provide legal advice to other fertility lawyers, medical practitioners and, consultant agencies. Cindy has lectured about fertility law at medico-legal conferences and at hospitals and is published in a leading medical journal. During her criminal law career she successfully defended high profile cases; published and lectured. Cindy was a founding Director of the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted; the Chair of the Criminal Justice Section of the Ontario Bar Association and; a member of many Law Society Committees. Cindy and her husband are parents to two perfectly created daughters with the generous assistance of an ovum donor and two Surrogates.

Steven H. Snyder, Esq.

Steven Snyder is the founding and principal partner of Steven H. Snyder & Associates, Attorneys At Law and the International Assisted Reproduction Center (IARC) in Minnesota. Mr. Snyder attended law school at the University of Minnesota, graduating cum laude in 1982. Mr. Snyder successfully litigated the first and only contested Minnesota surrogacy case to date in 2006 in which he won sole custody of the child for a single gay father. He is a member of the American Bar Association (ABA), Chair of the Reproductive & Genetic Technology Committee of the Family Law Section of the ABA, ABA liaison to the National Coalition for the oversight of Assisted Reproductive Technology, Chair of the Minnesota State Bar Association Family Law Section, and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. Mr. Snyder also serves on the national legal advisory committee of RESOLVE: The National Fertility Association, is chair of the legal advisory group for the American Fertility Association (for education, support, and advocacy on behalf of infertile persons), and is a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (national organization of fertility physicians).

Anthony M. Brown, Esq.

Anthony currently works for the law firm of Albert W. Chianese & Associates heading their Nontraditional Family and Estates Law division serving unmarried individuals, couples and families. Anthony is the Chairman of the Men Having Babies’s board and also serves as the Executive Director of The Wedding Party. 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 Children’s Law Center, representing the legal needs of children in Brooklyn Family Court. Anthony also worked as a legal intern forLambda Legal in the summer of 2002. Anthony was appointed as a board member and Secretary of the board of Men Having Babies upon its in corporation in July 2012.

Ron Poole-Dayan, MHB 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 bachelor’s 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 Greg's 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.

Katelyn Jakobsen, LICSW

Katelyn joined the Men Having Babies team in October 2013 as part of the launch of the Gay Parenting Assistance Program. Her primary focus is conducting psycho-social assessments and helping IP’s and gestational surrogates to properly structure their surrogacy experience from the beginning. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in providing clinical support during the gestational surrogacy experience, Katelyn holds a Master’s of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan. Upon completion of her degree, she worked for social services in multiple states, specializing in foster care and adoption until she made the transition to surrogacy in 2008. Katelyn also works as a consultant at The Center for Surrogacy and Egg Donation in Southborough, MA, managing the surrogate screening process. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and presents at their annual conference on clinical aspects of surrogacy. Katelyn resides in a suburb of Boston, MA, wife to husband, Bjorn, and mother to three young children.

Georges Sylvestre, M.D., MHB board member

Georges Sylvestre is an Obstetrician/Gynecologist specialized in High-Risk Pregnancies, currently Division Director and Vice-Chairman at Jamaica Hospital 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.

Gregory J. Payton, Ph.D, MHB board member

Greg is a lecturer in the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University and a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in New York City. Greg received his Masters degree in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University and his Doctorate from Columbia University. In his teaching, research and practice, Greg emphasizes the resiliency of the LGBTQ population and works to support their efforts at creating families. Additionally, Greg is an alumnus of the Point Foundation and currently serves as a Mentor and member of the Alumni Committee. Greg and his husband Robert Lafferty welcomed their daughter, Grace, into their family in 2013 via gestational surrogacy.

Stephanie Scott

Stephanie Scott is the Executive Program Director at Simple Surrogacy. Stephanie is responsible for the initial screening of all Intended Parents, Surrogates, and Egg Donors who apply with our program. She reviews all new applicant profiles, records, references, insurance policies, and ensures all applicant background investigations have been completed and cleared before matching within our program (investigation includes a search of both Federal and State criminal records, as well as a Residential History and Social Security Verification). She also ensures that the surrogates in our program have optimal medical coverage to cover the pregnancy and delivery and arranges for all parties to obtain a life insurance policy.

John Chally, J.D.

John Chally, J.D. is one of the Directors and Founders of Northwest Surrogacy Center, LLC. He has 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.

Leia Swanberg

Leia’s 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 three children of her own – ages 19,11, and a new baby. She has been a gestational surrogate twice and an egg donor several times. Leia’s 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. Leia’s previous experience as a small business owner and background in management and small business development has helped her grow CFC into Canada’s 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.

Nancy Block

Nancy is proud and excited to be a part of the Fertility Source Companies’ team, as Vice President of International and Major Client Relations. Acquired by FSC, The Center for Egg Options (CEO) was founded by Nancy in January of 2000 specializing in gestational surrogacy and egg donation. Nancy’s vast experience in the field of obstetric, gynecological and fertility nursing along with her dedication to intended parents, donors and surrogates has made her a leader in her field. Prior to opening CEO, Nancy spent 17 years as a nurse at Northwestern Memorial Hospital Prentice Women’s Pavilion. Nancy attended the University of Arizona and The Evanston Hospital School of Nursing. Today Nancy is a national spokesperson for the infertility industry and she currently sits on the board of Parents Via Egg Donation (PVED) as well as The Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy (SEEDS). Nancy has been a guest speaker at many industry events as an expert educating on third party reproduction.

Scott Buckley, Esq.

Scott Buckley is the Director of Operations at Circle Surrogacy, the nation’s oldest, gay-owned, full service surrogate-parenting agency serving intended parents worldwide. He is also a partner at the Boston law firm, Weltman Law Group. Scott not only overseas the day-to-day operations at Circle Surrogacy, but also addresses insurance questions; and conducts legal consultations. He has had the pleasure of helping Circle Surrogacy bring over 1,000 babies into the world for couples and single individuals from 70+ countries and 6 continents. Scott studied at Boston College and went on to receive his law degree from Boston College Law School. He was recognized as a Rising Star in family law by Super Lawyer in their 2012-2015 New England edition. Scott has been interviewed by and appeared in numerous publications and TV programs, and has moderated and presented at conferences throughout the United States and Europe.

Meryl B. Rosenberg, Esq.

Meryl B. Rosenberg is an attorney specializing in the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART). For the past 23 years, she has helped intended parents build their families through surrogacy, gamete donation, embryo donation, second-parent adoption, and stepparent adoption. Ms. Rosenberg has been a guest lecturer for the University of Maryland School of Law and the American University Washington College of Law. Among the many local and international non-profit organizations she actively supports, Ms. Rosenberg serves as a member of the executive committee for AAARTA, past chair and current member of the executive board of the Legal Professional Group of ASRM, a member of the Legal Advisory Committee of Path2Parenthood, a professional member of RESOLVE, a member of the ABA Reproductive Technology Committee, and a member of the advisory board for CADE Foundation. Ms. Rosenberg has worked collaboratively with fellow attorneys in Maryland and DC to spearhead positive change in legislation affecting those who build their families through surrogacy and gamete donation.