For New Zealanders dreaming of starting or expanding a family, navigating the complex world of surrogacy and egg donation can be daunting. Growing Families is here to bring you clarity and support, with global insights and expert guidance to help you take your next steps confidently. Our Auckland event offers a chance to connect with experienced professionals, hear real-life stories, and discover the possibilities available to Kiwi families looking to grow through surrogacy and egg donation.
What to Expect at our Auckland Event?
In a relaxed and informative environment, this event is designed to answer your questions and ease your journey forward. Whether you’re just beginning to explore surrogacy and egg donation or looking for specific guidance, you’ll find value in the sessions, the conversations, and the connections. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll experience:
What You’ll Experience:
Guidance from Top Experts
Leading voices in surrogacy, fertility, and law will share crucial surrogacy insights to help guide your journey.
Practical
Advice
Learn how to choose the right agencies, clinics, and legal support, with clear insights into costs and timelines.
Inspiring
Stories
Hear first-hand accounts from other New Zealand families who have navigated this path successfully.
Supportive Community
Meet others on a similar journey and form meaningful connections and lasting friendships.
Live Expert Panels
Engage in dynamic panel discussions with industry professionals, including fertility specialists, surrogacy experts, and legal advisors. These live panels are interactive, allowing you to ask questions and hear practical advice on navigating surrogacy, egg donation, and legal processes.
Free Consultation with Select Expert Speakers
Attendees have the unique opportunity to book a free, one-on-one consultation with select expert speakers, offering tailored advice and personal guidance to support your family-building journey. This is your chance to ask specific questions and gain insights that align directly with your needs.
SPEAKERS AT OUR MELBOURNE
SURROGACY & EGG DONOR EVENT
Rita Alesi
Infertility Psychologist, Australia
With 30 years of psychology experience and 25 years in IVF, Rita leads Monash IVF Counselling Services. She specializes in reproductive health, grief, and loss, and provides expert counselling for surrogacy and complex donor cases.
Tamara Cook
Special Counsel
Tamara is a specialist family lawyer with expertise in surrogacy and fertility law. She advises intended parents, surrogates, and donors. Recognised in Doyle’s Guide and The Best Lawyers in Australia, she handles legal agreements and court applications related to parentage.
Mario Lara
Egg Donor Manager
Mario heads Miracle Surrogacy’s Egg Donor Department, overseeing the recruitment and screening of 200+ international egg donors, the largest selection in Mexico. He also manages the agency’s Frozen Egg Bank, featuring eggs from donors across Europe, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, and more.
Meet Our Expert Speakers
Parents & Families Speaking at our Auckland Event
Melbourne Surrogacy & Egg Donor Event Agenda
10:00 AM –
10:20 AM
What to Consider in Choosing a Path
Where can I engage? What pathway is appropriate for my situation? What are the pros and cons of Australia vs international? Discusses vital issues in regard to success rates, timelines, availability, emotional, cultural and practical considerations; Are there fixed cost programs? How do surrogate relationships differ? What egg donors are available?
Sam Everingham, Growing Families
10:20 AM –
10:30 AM
Steps in the Process
What are the key steps in the process? Which order should they be done in? What can hold up the process?
Heather Anderson, Growing Families
10:30 AM –
10:50 AM
Domestic Parent Journeys
Recent parents discuss decision-making, surrogate relationships, disclosure to family, hurdles, legal parentage, costs and field audience questions
Sam Whelan (single dad via surrogacy); Angela Pavone (mum via domestic surrogacy)
10:50 AM –
11:30 AM
International Parent Journeys
Recent parents discuss decision-making, surrogate relationships, disclosure to family, Differences in medication regimes; cultural barriers; hurdles, legal parentage, costs and advice for intended parents
Duncan MacRae (Canada); Liz Glickfield (US); Nathan Francis (Colombia); Brent Pitman (Mexico)
11:30 AM –
12:00 PM
Morning Tea
12:00 PM –
12:30 PM
Important Considerations in selecting an IVF clinic
What should international patients look for; Why is medical screening so important? What are the typical issues that are red flags/ rule out a surrogate or donor? What is genetic carrier screening and how popular is it? Do international clinics insist on PGT-A testing? How are success rates measured?
Dr Vuk Jovanovic (US), Dr Clifford Librach (Canada)
12:30 PM –
12:50 PM
Legal Considerations in Surrogacy & Egg Donation
What is the legal status of the egg donor and the surrogate? How do Surrogacy Agreements work? Are they legally binding? is there a transfer of parentage process for domestic or international surrogacy? What role does an Australian lawyer play? Do they assist with expense re-imbursements, international contracts or citizenship and passports post-birth? When should you engage them?
Tamara Cook & Laura Villemagne-Sánchez, Lander & Rogers
12:50 PM –
01:30 PM
What Country Is Right for Me?
How does surrogacy practice differ in English vs non English speaking countries in regard to surrogate screening, care, reimbursement and contact pre & post birth? How do hybrid programs work? Timeframes, Success rates. Legal protections; How do costs compare? What egg donors are available? Covers five jurisdictions
Lauri De Brito (The Fertility Agency, US); Nir Keren (BCT, Canada); Natia Janadze (GS Consulting, Georgia); Steven Swanepoel (Tammuz Family, Colombia); Mario Lara (Miracle Surrogacy, Mexico).
01:30 PM –
02:10 PM
Lunch & Networking
02:10 PM –
02:30 PM
Preparing for Donor IVF or Surrogacy
How does counselling fit into the process? Who needs counselling? How long does it take? What issues are covered? Why is it important? Is it required for domestic and overseas processes?
Rita Alesi, Fertility Psychologist
02:30 PM –
02:50 PM
Surrogacy & Egg Donation in the USA – Ask Me Anything
Lauri De Brito & Kathryn Kaycoff, The Fertility Agency; Vuk Jovanovic, Tree of Life Center, Brittany Sheely (surrogate)
02:50 PM –
03:10 PM
Surrogacy & Egg Donation in Mexico – Ask Me Anything
Mario Lara, Chris Reynoso, Miracle Surrogacy, Brent Pitman (parent) Maria Noriega (surrogate)
03:10 PM –
03:30 PM
Surrogacy in Canada – Ask Me Anything
Nir Keren, Create Fertility, Meghan Kolodka (surrogate)
03:30 PM –
03:50 PM
Surrogacy in Colombia – Ask Me Anything
Steven Swanepoel, Tammuz Family Sindy Rivera (surrogate)
03:50 PM –
04:05 PM
Supporting Your Journey
Understand how Growing Families Concierge Support can assist, from organising sperm or embryo shipping, choosing providers to suit your budget and specific needs, agency liaison, assistance with crucial decisions, emotional support, organising citizenship, passports, bassinets seats, vaccinations, Medicare and Centrelink connections, milk banks, insurance, cord blood banking, nanny and doula support, ante-natal classes. Understand what support surrogacy social media group can provide
Sam Everingham, Growing Families
04:05 PM –
04:20 PM
The Reality – Outcomes for Kids
Young adults born via donor IVF & surrogacy discuss their lives, disclosure and their sense of self
Morgan Rennie
04:20 PM –
05:00 PM
Afternoon Tea & Networking
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
