Expert Speakers
Guest Speakers
Building a family through surrogacy and donor conception is life-changing—but it’s also complex. Without expert guidance, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by costs, legalities, and uncertainty. That’s why Growing Families, with over a decade of experience, is here to help. We’ve guided thousands of intended parents to success—now it’s your turn.
Event Details
Date & Time:
Sat, 26 July 11:00 am
Venue:
Melbourne Parkview Hotel
Address:
562 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
Ticket Price:
$55
Why You Can’t Afford to Miss This Event:
Navigating surrogacy and donor conception comes with big decisions and potential challenges. This event will give you the clarity, expert advice, and connections you need to move forward with confidence. We bring together the world’s top experts, the most reputable agencies, and parents who have been in your shoes—so you can avoid pitfalls and move forward with confidence.
Direct Access to
Experts in the field
Hear directly from leading fertility specialists, lawyers, and agency representatives who have helped thousands of families.
Real Stories from Parents & Surrogates
Learn the latest medical advances on egg and sperm selection, embryo development, and how factors like age can affect fertility.
Local & International
Options
Get clarity on whether an Australian or overseas program is best suited for you and understand the legalities of each.
Avoid Common (and Costly) Mistakes
Learn what works—and what doesn’t—so you can make informed decisions, avoid unnecessary setbacks, and ensure your journey is as cost-effective as possible.
Networking with
the Right People
Connect with professionals, surrogates, and like-minded intended parents who are on the same path—people who truly understand your challenges.
Personalised
Guidance
Get your most pressing questions answered in dedicated Q&A sessions and face-to-face discussions with experts.
Your Ticket Includes:
Morning and afternoon tea, lunch, and drinks throughout the day.
If you’re attending the Saturday sessions, you also get FREE drinks (wine, beer & soft drinks) at the networking session from 5:30 PM.
Private one-on-one consultations with select experts to discuss your specific situation.
Access to all speaker sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.
Conference Commitee Members
This event is headed by trusted members of the surrogacy community, including:
- Elisa Ricordi
- Amy White
- Felicity Chew
- Adam Zuchetti
- Trudy Urquhart
- David Novella-Reilly
- Sheila Vijeyarasa
conference Agenda
11:30 AM
Welcome
11:35 AM –
11:55 AM
What to Consider in Choosing a Path
Starting your family through surrogacy or egg donation comes with important decisions. What pathway is appropriate for my situation? This session explores global options, key considerations, and what to expect in terms of costs, timelines, risks, and resources. Discusses vital issues in regard to success rates, timelines, availability, emotional, cultural and practical considerations. We’ll also walk you through the agenda to help you get the most out of the weekend.
11:55 AM –
12:10 PM
Domestic Donor & Surrogacy Processes
Provides a step-by-step overview of what is involved in domestic Donor IVF and surrogacy pathways
Anna McKie, Surrogacy Australia
12:10 PM –
12:30 PM
Switching from Your Own Eggs to Donor
Eggs
Many women go through years of unsuccessful IVF without their IVF doctor identifying the problem. Why does this happen? When should a woman be considering donor eggs? What tests can be done to assess viability? How old is too old to carry? Can stimulation be commenced in Australia and donor eggs be used offshore? Benefits of fresh vs frozen eggs?
Dr Rahi Victory, VRC, Canada
Preparing for Sperm Freeze & Donor IVF for Those New to the Process
Medical considerations & screening for egg and sperm providers. What can IVF specialists do to assess Sperm & egg quality prior to IVF? What impact does age have? What can I do to improve quality? Carrier screening, Discuss embryo development, blastocysts, grading, Pre-Genetic-Aneuploidy Testing and how embryos are selected for transfer. Can overseas donors come to Australia to donate?
Dr Nick Lolatgis, Centre for Infertility Solutions, Melbourne
12:30 PM –
12:45 PM
Genetic Counselling in the Australian context
This session highlights the role of genetic counselling in fertility and prenatal care in Australia. It covers key considerations for using international donor eggs, Medicare coverage, expanded carrier screening, PGT-A testing, and NIPT. Attendees will gain practical insight into testing options and next steps when increased genetic risk is identified
Katherine Rose, Genetic Counsellor
12:45 PM
Lunch
1:45 PM –
2:10 PM
Donor Recipient Panel
Australians who used Donor IVF discuss their journeys, coming to terms with donor IVF, sourcing a donor, relationships with donors, counselling etc. The session includes a live Q&A.
Andrew Mclean, Samantha Reynolds
2:10 PM –
2:30 PM
The Altruistic Headspace
Provides a step-by-step guide to Australia’s friendship-based Surrogacy model
Anna McKie, Surrogacy Australia
2:30 PM –
2:50 PM
Australian Surrogacy Laws & Parentage Orders
This session explores the legal framework of surrogacy in Australia, including what parentage orders involve, their purpose, and how requirements differ across states. It will cover key questions around legal parentage, interstate arrangements, citizenship requirements for surrogates, and whether IVF can be completed offshore.
Sarah Wainwright, Landers & Rogers lawyers
2:50 PM
Afternoon Tea & Networking
3:20 PM –
4:10 PM
Parent Panel
Parents and intended parents share their personal experiences with domestic surrogacy and egg donation. Topics include how their journeys began, surrogate matching, setting expectations, managing relationships, offering advice to others, and navigating costs. The session will include a live Q&A for audience participation.
Alex Perchard, Jess Mills, Jay Bowen
04:10 PM –
04:40 PM
Counselling – Looking After All Parties
This session covers counselling requirements for surrogacy and donation, including family limits and post-birth contact arrangements. It addresses whether friends or relatives can donate, what counselling typically involves, and strategies for self-care for both surrogates and intended parents.
Sarah Nowoweiski, Rita Alesi
04:40 PM –
05:30 PM
Surrogate Panel
Given the morning sickness, weight gain, fatigue & unending medical appointments, what motivates them? Australian surrogates discuss their motivations, decision-making, what they look for in recipients, relationships and hurdles. How do their partners support them? What makes a good IP profile? What do surrogates want to know about? What is in-appropriate? What elements stand out? New surrogates provide their feedback. Includes Audience Q&A
Panelists: Charmaine Staal, Elisa Ricordi, Donna McCoull, Amanda
5:30 PM
Drinks & Networking
6:30 PM
SURROGACY COMMUNITY DINNER
(INDEPENDENT DINNER, NOT INCLUDED IN TICKET)
09:25 AM
Welcome
09:30 AM –
09:45 AM
Considerations in Selecting a Country
Where can I engage? Timeframe costs, Success rates. What are the pros and cons of each destination? How do timelines differ? Legal protections? How do costs compare?
Are there fixed cost programs? How do surrogate relationships differ? What egg donors are available?
Sam Everingham, Growing Families
09:45 AM –
10:05 AM
Maximising Success – In Donor IVF & Surrogacy
Why is medical screening so important? Genetic Carrier screening & tests during pregnancy. What issues rule out a surrogate or donor? Do international clinics insist on PGT-A testing? What is best practice in screening of surrogates? Are mock cycles still performed? What checks are done before transfer?
Dr David Smotrich, La Jolla IVF (US)
10:05 AM –
10:35 AM
International Surrogacy Experts Panel
Learn directly from experienced professionals who will cover program options, costs, agency selection, and country-specific regulations. Get insights into the best destinations for your unique circumstances.
Naia Adamia (Be Parent); Anastasia Polonska (Silk Medical); Maka Mebaghishvili (New Life) Lesa Slaughter (US)
10:35 AM –
10:50 AM
US Surrogacy – Surviving the Process
This hilarious gay dad and podcaster will detail his six year rollercoaster ride which culminated in the birth of twins
“Sassy Scott” O’Halloran
10:50 AM –
11:20 AM
IVF Experts Panel – Ask Me Anything
How likely is success if I am using eggs as 38-year-old? Why is embryo quality so important? Is there value in the ‘add-on’ treatments offered by clinics? After how many failed transfers should you be looking at surrogacy or donor IVF? How likely is miscarriage after a successful transfer? Can I ship embryos for surrogacy? Audience questions
Dr Vuk Jovanovic, Tree of Life, Dr Minoos Hosseinzadeh, FISD, US
11:20 AM
Morning Tea
11:50 PM –
12:35 PM
International Parent Journeys
Recent parents discuss decision-making, surrogate relationships, disclosure to family, Differences in medication regimes; cultural barriers; hurdles along the way, legal parentage, costs and a myriad of audience questions
Rachel Noel (Georgia), Daniel Montgomery (Canada); Mark Bowness (US) Nick Wray (Colombia), Marcus Sellen (USA)
12:35 PM –
1:00 PM
The Reality – Outcomes for Kids
Teenagers & young adults born via egg donation or surrogacy discuss their lives, disclosure and their sense of self
Tamzin McLean, Remy Caithness, Lia Russell, Alyssa Booth
01:00 PM
Lunch & Networking
1:40 PM –
02:00 PM
Breakout 1
Surrogacy in the USA – Ask Me Anything
Nir Keren, Dr Jovanovic, Dr Smotrich, Tonya Canaday
Breakout 2
Surrogacy in Georgia – Ask Me Anything
Anastasia Polonska, Rachel Noel, Naia Adamia, Maka Mebaghishvili
02:00 PM –
02:20 PM
Surrogacy in Canada – Ask Me Anything
Alex McNab; Dr Rahi Victory, Lisa Hogan
02:20 PM –
02:40 PM
Surrogacy in Mexico – Ask Me Anything
Naia Adamia, Sam Everingham
02:40 PM –
03:00 PM
Meet Your Needs via Hybrid Programs
Making embryos somewhere and using them somewhere else
Nir Keren, Babies Come True
03:00 PM –
03:20 PM
Legal Processes for Australians after Overseas Surrogacy
What countries present a challenge; what issues do intended parents need to address?
Sarah Bevan, Surrogacy & Family Lawyer
03:20 PM –
03:40 PM
Concierge Support to Smooth Your Journey
Sperm & Embryo shipping, Citizenship & Passports for newborns, document aquisition, notarisation & apostilling, Centrelink, Medicare, Immunisations, international flights with a newborn; powers of attorney, international funds transfers; making sense of insurance; Why is this so important?
Sam Everingham & Anita Fiorenza, Growing Families
3:40 PM –
4:30 PM
Afternoon Tea & One-on-One with Experts
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver
