Karen Synesiou is the CEO of the Center for Surrogate Parenting, Inc.(CSP). Karen was born in England, where she obtained her law degree. Her unique background gives her a greater understanding when helping international intended parents with surrogacy. Karen Synesiou has been the CEO at CSP for over 27 years and has celebrated the birth of over 2,500 babies! Karen is recognized worldwide as an expert in the field of surrogacy and assisted reproduction.

Andrew Vorzimer is an attorney and partner in Vormizer Masserman Fertility & Family Law Center. Mr. Vorzimer has assisted more than 13,000 clients to become parents through assisted reproduction. Mr. Vorzimer was the recipient of the “Illumination Award” from the American Fertility Association (AFA) and is recognized worldwide as the foremost expert in the field of Surrogacy, Egg Donation and Reproductive Law.

Joanne Bubrick has been with the Center for Surrogate Parenting since 1997 and is the Australian case manager. She feels it is an honor and privilege to have helped CSP’s “intended parents” become “parents”. Joanne’s 21 years of experience helps intended parents make this complicated process as simple as possible. Joanne says that her greatest joy is knowing that she was part of a special team who brought such happiness to our clients.  

Dr. Smotrich to date has done over 4000 Gestational Surrogate cases, over 3000 Egg Donor cases and 2000 Egg Donor / Gestational Surrogate cases, helping people in over 94 countries fulfill their dream of parenthood.

He is recognized as a definitive medical scientist and resource for print and broadcast media journalists interested in communicating up-to-date information on assisted reproductive technology to mass audiences. He has been featured in print media, such as The San Diego Union Tribune, Glamour Magazine, Bazaar Magazine and Elle Magazine. La Jolla IVF has been featured in television on NBC-TV, ABC-TV, CBS-TV, FOX-TV and is featured on the Time Warner Cable Wellness Hour with Randy Alvarez and has been highlighted in print for his work in infertility.

Despite cervical cancer, years of treatment and a radical hysterectomy, Lisa never gave up hope of a family.  After five altruistic attempts at home, she matched with a US surrogate. When Australia banned the export of embryos. Lisa fought for change. She is the proud mum of Josh & Lucas. An inspiring and passionate speaker, Lisa is a strong advocate for infertile women taking control of their futures in their quest to build family.

Amy Plaster is a donor services coordinator at Ovation Fertility, serving as an ally and guide for hopeful parents throughout the process of IVF with donor eggs. With empathy and compassion, Amy walks intended parents through the egg donation process, from choosing an ideal Ovation egg donor and Ovation Euploid Embryo Guarantee package to receiving genetically tested embryos for transfer. The best part of Amy’s job is giving people the good news that they are one step closer to having the families they have dreamed of. Prior to joining Ovation, Amy applied her master’s degree in social work to helping families facing mental health and developmental challenges.

Paul is a proud dad to 4 year old Dylan with the professional help from the Center for Surrogate Parenting in California and his surrogate mother Erika. As a medical professional, Paul undertook a period of extensive research before pursuing his dream of being a dad through the US system and in particular with CSP. He has been a strong advocate for surrogacy through the United States and ambassador for CSP. His experience has been thoroughly positive throughout the surrogacy journey. Dylan and Paul enjoy a very close and wonderful relationship with Erika and her family as well as the wonderful people he has met along the way and is very happy to share his experiences.

Rees and his partner Brett discussed the importance of having children when they met 28 years ago. Twelve years after arriving in Australia from New Zealand, they commenced their surrogacy journey with Dr Smotrich and his team at La Jolla IVF. They have been blessed with 3 boys – Chandler born in 2008 and twins Blake and Joel born in 2010. The desire for their family to be created from love and to have close family ties came to fruition as their surrogate’s niece is the boys biological mother – they were carried by their great aunt.

LJ and her husband experienced failed IVF treatment, failed treatment for reproductive immunological issues and the closing down of India’s Surrogacy programs in 2013 (making their embryo’s inaccessible a week after producing them). In 2016, searching for options, Families Through Surrogacy introduced them to CSP and by May 2018 their daughter Idyllwild was born. CSP’s deep experience, network of professionals and the incredible commitment to their Surrogates and Intended Parents allowed them to realise their family.

Catherine and her husband are parents to 13 year old twins with the professional help from Center for Surrogate Parenting based in California and their California based surrogate.  When Catherine and her husband set out on the surrogacy journey there were very few people in Melbourne who had been through a similar experience or had even heard about surrogacy.  Catherine is happy to share her experience about meeting the team at CSP, being matched with their surrogate and developing that important relationship, the pregnancy and arrival of their twins, and how they have made the surrogacy experience a really positive part of their family story.

Eva & Andre  struggled to conceive for nearly 10 years. After many IVF attempts with no positive result they attended a CSP Seminar in Sydney in 1998. They became one of the earliest Australian  couples using Surrogacy. CSP presented them with an amazing, well screened surrogate. They got to know each other through letters, photos and over the phone.  Tina fell pregnant on the second attempt. Throughout Tina’s pregnancy a network of experienced social workers, a psychologist, and other surrogates helped to navigate Tina’s journey. It meant Tina did not feel alone even though Eva was thousands of miles away.The most memorable moment  was holding Andy at the birth! Karen and Joanne were representing CSP even back in 1998! US Surrogacy lawyer Andy Vorzimer  prepared their contract documents and has become of the US leading fertilitry attorneys

Andy was born 19 years ago with the assistance of Center for Surrogate Parenting. Last year he finished his HSC at The Scots College in Sydney. A typical teenager, Andy plays basketball, volleyball, rugby and goes to the gym. To save for a European trip during his gap year, Andy is delivering pizza, party balloons and moving furniture with his dad’s company ute. Andy keeps in touch with his surrogate mother Tina in LA. He is looking forward to his next stage of life at uni studying Property Development And Economics.