Karen Roeb

As founder and clinical Administrator of Fertility Miracles, Karen Roeb brings to third party reproduction over 24 years of experience working as an OB-GYN/Infertility nurse. Her agency, Fertility Miracles, is a full service Surrogacy and Egg Donor company with expertise in assisting men, women, couples and single gay men in their journey culminating in parenthood. Karen is an active member and supporter of the LGBT community, including Pop Luck Club, Family Equality Council, and the LA Gay and Lesbian Center. One of Fertility Miracle's couples has also been featured on the 2012 People's Choice award-winning video, "The Story of Esteban and Michele", featuring the journey of a male couple traveling from Italy to the States to fulfill their fatherhood dream. Karen was an exhibitor and supporter of the 2012 MHB-Barcelona event, and has spoken and wrote about gay parenting, including Pink Parenting Magazine, Fertility Road, MomLogic, and Resolve. She is frequently interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and San Diego Examiner as an expert in the field.

Victoria T. Ferrara, Esq.

Victoria T. Ferrara, Esq., Legal Director of Worldwide Surrogacy Specialists and managing partner of the multi-lawyer Law Firm of Victoria T. Ferrara, PC, has been practicing law in the area of assisted reproductive technology for over 20 years. Vicki's clients come from around the world as she has represented intended parents from South America, Asia and Europe as well as many clients in the U.S.A. Through her handling of the landmark case of Raftopol v. Ramey, Vicki was instrumental in changing the law in the State of Connecticut to create a new way to become legal parents through surrogacy. Vicki is a fellow of the American Academy of Assisted Reproduction Technology Attorneys and she has written and presented at U.S. and international conferences on surrogacy law. Her agency, Worldwide Surrogacy, is a successful surrogacy matching agency with offices in Connecticut and New York.

Michael Doyle, M.D.

Dr. Doyle Doyle is the founder and medical director of CT Fertility Associates, 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 4,500 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 act 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 hid Frozen Donor Egg Bank were featured to an international audience at the ESHRE conference in Amsterdam.

Stephanie Scott

Stephanie Scott is the Executive Program Director at Simple Surrogacy. Stephanie oversees the initial screening of all Intended Parents, Surrogates, and Egg Donors who apply with our program. As a previous Surrogate, Stephanie’s experience with agencies spans both sides of the process. She brings to the Agency experience a full understanding of the intricacies of the matching and screening process. Stephanie directs the matching between our Surrogates, Egg Donors, and Intended Parents based on their specific needs and desires. In addition to the acceptance and matching of new applicants, Stephanie also oversees the medical and psychological screening for our program. Stephanie Scott and Simple Surrogacy have been featured in 20/20 and Nightline, Newsweek Magazine, The LA Times, The Fort Worth Star Telegram, CBC National News Radio, USA Today, Dallas Child Magazine and The Hartford Courant, among many others.

John Weltman, Esq.

John Weltman is the owner, founder and president of Circle Surrogacy. Ltd., as well as the Managing Partner of the Boston law firm, Weltman Law Group. John is recognized worldwide as an expert in the field of reproductive law, including surrogacy and gay parenting. He was the first to establish the right of couples to get insurance coverage for gestational surrogacy in MA. John has repeatedly obtained pre-birth orders and second parent adoptions for gay couples and singles who have pursued surrogacy throughout the country. John and his husband began their surrogacy journey in 1991 and had two boys through the same surrogate. They were among the first gay couples to have children through surrogacy and were only the second to have two children, each man fathering a biological son. John has been interviewed by and appeared in numerous publications, TV programs, and conferences throughout the US, Europe, Canada, and Israel. John studied at Yale, Oxford and the University of Virginia and holds a Masters Degree in History and a JD. He is licensed to practice law in MA, NY and CA.

Melissa Brisman, Esq.

Melissa B. Brisman, Esq. Owner of Reproductive Possibilities, LLC (Surrogate Agency), Melissa B. Brisman, Esq., LLC (Reproductive Law Firm) and Surrogate Fund Management, LLC (Escrow account management company).
Our three companies work hand in hand, and individually as needed to help intended parents throughout the world realize their dream of building their family. The agency locates gestational carriers and manages gestational carrier arrangements exclusively. Our tradition of superior knowledge and customer service has allowed us to successfully complete many surrogate journeys, resulting in the birth of almost two hundred babies each year. We offer a personal touch that can only come from years of experience and the support of an excellent team. Melissa Brisman is a parent of three children all via surrogacy. Melissa's excellent reputation is based on her compassion and empathy for all intended parents, same sex and heterosexual alike. Melissa legal expertise is put to good use as she is considered a true pioneer in this field as she advocates for changes in the law in this field.

Susan L. Treiser, M.D., Ph.D.

Susan L. Treiser, M.D., Ph.D. is a board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist and is Co-Founder and Co-Director of IVF New Jersey, one of the most experienced fertility centers in the USA, founded in 1990. Dr. Treiser also serves as Director of the IVF NJ laboratories where overall success rates are among the highest in the United States (Center for Disease Control). A native of Canada, Dr. Treiser attended McGill University and then the Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC, where she obtained both a PhD in pharmacology and her medical degree. Following medical school, Dr. Treiser completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, NJ, and was awarded a fellowship in reproductive endocrinology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. Dr. Treiser is an internationally renowned fertility specialist and has been invited to speak at medical conferences across the globe. Since 1990 Dr. Treiser has helped thousands of couples realize their dream of becoming parents.

Zara Griswold

Zara Griswold is Co-Founder of Family Source Consultants, and Director of Family Source Consultants’ Gestational Surrogacy program. Zara has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Eastern Michigan University and a Master of Science from Northern Illinois University. Zara’s twins were born via Gestational Surrogacy and Egg Donation in 2003, and in 2006, her book, Surrogacy Was the Way: Twenty Intended Mothers Tell Their Stories, was published. As previous Intended Parents themselves, Zara and Co-Owner of Family Source Consultants, Staci Swiderski, are especially aware of the joys and challenges of third party reproduction as a family building alternative. They and the Family Source Consultants team are deeply passionate about helping people build their family with the help of a Surrogate, Egg Donor, or both.

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).

Colleen Wagner Coughlin

Colleen Coughlin is an Embryologist, Owner, and Laboratory Director of aParent IVF Laboratory. Colleen has an M.S. in Reproductive Physiology from the University of Illinois. aParent IVF provides experienced embryology laboratory services for Dr. Brian Kaplan and the Doctors of Fertility Centers of Illinois. Dr. Kaplan does his cases exclusively at aParent IVF where his long-standing collaboration with Colleen has brought a higher level of synergy resulting in higher success for their patients. Colleen’s expertise and straightforward approach combined with her ability to personalize each patient’s experience has earned her recognition and respect from colleagues, staff and patients. Colleen’s laboratory is credited with over 25,000 babies since it opened in 1986. Colleen is a strong patient advocate and one of the first non-physicians to earn the prestigious Resolve Award for Patient Advocacy. Colleen has a passion for helping LGBT couples and singles to achieve their dream of having a baby and was recently featured in a series of articles in The Windy City Times, Chicago’s Gay, Lesbian, Bi and Trans newspaper.

Mario Caballero

Mario Caballero, Executive Director of Extraordinary Conceptions and his wife Stephanie struggled with infertility for more than more than 10 years before finally realizing their dream when her cousin carried her twins. They founded Extraordinary Conceptions which has become one of largest surrogacy and egg donation agencies and have devoted themselves to helping would-be parents achieve their dream of parenthood. Mario adds many years of experience having transitioned from a career in health insurance and the medical industry. Through his experience in working with both patients and doctors Mario brings a deep understanding of the medical industry to help our Donors, Surrogates, and Parents through the process. He also believes in keeping costs down because he knows firsthand how financially draining infertility can be. Mario has introduced the Single Agency Fee Experience. With S.A.F.E. surrogacy and egg donation, if the egg donor or surrogacy cycle is not successful the first time, the client may proceed with another donor or surrogate until positive results are achieved without paying another agency fee.

Tricia Turner

Tricia Turner, The Surrogacy SOURCE's Manager of Surrogacy Case Management, including the East Coast & Illinois, has extensive knowledge in egg donation and the surrogacy process. Having had personal experience as a surrogate mother, Tricia wanted to pursue her continued dream of helping people experience the joys of parenthood. Tricia states, “I believe everyone should have the chance to fulfill their dreams of having a family. I am excited to guide intended parents and surrogates through the surrogacy process.” This, combined with her dedication and emotional connection to each client, ensures that each client understands and feels complete support throughout their endeavor. Ultimately, Tricia feels it is a privilege to work in the business of helping to create dreams come true.

Gad Lavy, F.A.C.O.G.

Dr. Lavy established New England Fertility in 1990, as the first non –hospital based assisted reproductive program in the state of Connecticut. Dr. Lavy is board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Lavy received his medical degree from Hadassah Medical School followed by a research fellowship in biochemistry. Dr. Lavy completed his residency at Yale University School of Medicine and completed an advanced fellowship in the Division of Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Lavy is a member of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, American Society of Reproductive Medicine, Society of Reproductive Endocrinologists, Society of Reproductive Surgeons, and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Lavy also works extensively with gay couples and is one of only a very few reproductive physicians who has experience with international surrogacy. Dr. Lavy was featured in the award-winning documentary “ Google Baby”. He is also on the speaker’s board for Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Serono and Merck. Dr. Lavy leads a team of highly trained clinicians and scientists to provide comprehensive, compassionate and personal service.

Seminar attendees are invited to choose up to six "speed group consults" with the sponsoring agencies and clinics. The sessions will be 20 minutes long and take place simultaneously in 4 meeting rooms as detailed below.