About Growing Families

Supporting Your Path to Parenthood

Growing Families was founded in 2011 with a mission to ensure intended parents understand their options,
are prepared for their family building journey, and supported along the way
with practical advice and expert guidance.

Our Story

Growing Families began as a personal journey for our founder, Sam Everingham, a dad through surrogacy. As Sam navigated the complex and often overwhelming world of surrogacy, he realized that many intended parents faced similar challenges—legal, logistical, and emotional. Determined to create a better path for others, he established Families Through Surrogacy in 2011 to offer guidance and support to intended parents from around the globe.

As our organization grew and our focus expanded to include a broader range of family-building options, we changed our name to Growing Families. This new name reflects our commitment to supporting families in all their forms.

Since our founding, we’ve assisted over 3,000 singles and couples on their family-building journeys. We’ve hosted over 250 parents, surrogates, and donors at our events across Australia, New Zealand, the USA, the UK, Ireland, Sweden, and Hong Kong.

Our commitment to research and education sets us apart. We partner with leading academics to inform policy and best practices, ensuring that our clients receive the most reliable and up-to-date information. Through our extensive relationships with surrogates, parents, clinics, surrogacy agencies, family lawyers, egg banks, counselors, and governments, we have created a strong support network to guide you through every step of your journey.

Our goal is to make building your family easier by providing a one-stop source for all the information and support you need. Whether through webinars, seminars, conferences, or customized support, we are here to help you realize your family-building dreams.

Our Philosophy

Our Vision

Making
complex family building easier for all.

We believe that every person, regardless of their background or circumstances, should have access to the information, resources, and support they need to build the family they dream of. Through innovation, empathy, and a commitment to inclusivity, we aim to simplify the journey for all intended parents, surrogates, and donors.

Our Mission

Empowering
those seeking surrogacy and donor IVF with exceptional support, education and global connections.

We understand that the journey can be challenging, which is why we strive to be a trusted guide every step of the way. By providing comprehensive information and fostering relationships across the globe, we empower our clients to make informed decisions and confidently pursue their family-building goals.

Our Values

  • Teamwork: We believe in the power of collaboration and working together to achieve the best outcomes for our clients.
  • Boldness: Our boldness drives us to embrace innovation and take calculated risks, ensuring we remain at the forefront of surrogacy consulting.
  • Integrity: Integrity is the foundation of our relationships, and we are committed to transparency and ethical practices.
  • Excellence: Excellence is our standard, and we continuously strive to exceed expectations in all that we do.

Our Team

Headshot of Kerry
Kerry Duncan
Headshot of heather
Heather Anderson
Ilona Rose
Karma's picture
Karma Bottari
Paulo's picture
Paulo Villacorte

Who We Are

Educators

As industry leaders, we educate, support, and inspire a diverse and inclusive community with empathy and respect.

Community Builders

We create and nurture a safe and inclusive community for intended parents, surrogates, donors & experts within the industry.

Industry Advocates

We passionately champion positive change to enhance safety and simplify navigation within our industry for everyone.

Focused on Results

We mitigate risks, providing our clients with the best advice, connection and options suited to their individual circumstances.

Growing Families Advisory Board

The Growing Families Advisory Board is a multi-disciplinary team addressing the diverse risks in the surrogacy landscape. With no other organization offering independent leadership and an international HCCH instrument potentially a decade away, the lack of guidance fosters confusion, negative media, and potential harm.

The Growing Families Advisory Board aims to:

  • Share knowledge of ‘on-the-ground’ issues
  • Take a leadership role in harm minimization
  • Advocate for minimum standards in surrogate and intended parent psychological screening and care
  • Prepare for geo-political, legal, and market developments

By filling this crucial role, we strive to create a safer and more transparent environment for all stakeholders involved in surrogacy.

Our Partners

At Growing Families, we believe in the power of collaboration to provide the best surrogacy solutions for our clients. We are proud to partner with a diverse range of organizations worldwide that share our commitment to ethical, compassionate, and high-quality surrogacy services. Each of our partner agencies undergoes a thorough vetting process to ensure they operate to our high standards. Together, we work hand-in-hand to create a supportive network that empowers intended parents, surrogates, and families to thrive.

Ready to Start Your Journey?

If you’re interested in learning more about surrogacy and how we can support your family-building goals, contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Our team is here to answer your questions and guide you through every step of the process.