Our Team
Michelle: CEO And Director
Hi, I’m Michelle. I am a married mother of 6 and a Canadian gestational surrogate. I have carried five baby boys as a surrogate and completed my final journey in July 2019. Being a surrogate has been an amazing experience in my life and has enriched the lives of my entire family.
I first became involved with the world of third-party reproduction and surrogacy around 2008. Since then, I have learned quite a bit about the process and have been able to mentor many other surrogates along their journeys. I have also had the opportunity to support many women as a Doula in the areas of labour and birth, postpartum and fertility since 2013.
Some of my additional experience in the surrogacy community includes: lobbying to approximately 30 MPs in Ottawa as to why the current AHRA legislation needs updating, taking part in Health Canada’s round table discussions, having input into the proposed AHRA changes, and speaking about surrogacy to different groups all over the world.
I obtained my Business Administration in 1995 and Paralegal Diploma in 2001. I have been in the career of Office and Department Management since 2003. I am thankful that my path has brought me to this opportunity; to be part of the Canadian surrogate community and the JA Surrogacy village.
Cherie: Surrogate Intake coordinator
Hi, my name is Cherie. I’m the mother of three beautiful children with my incredibly supportive husband, and carried a beautiful little boy as a gestational surrogate.
My background includes operating a daycare and working with children in various roles. I believe children learn what they see, and I hope to model the importance of kindness and helping others to my own kids. The impact and life lessons that came with witnessing my journey as a surrogate will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Pursuing surrogacy had always been a goal of mine once we completed our own family. After becoming a mom myself, I had a deep desire to help another woman become a mother. I believe in practicing what I preach, and pursuing this goal led me to join the village here at JA. My goal as the Surrogate Intake Lead is to help grow the surrogacy world, one family at a time.
Katie: Surrogate Support
Hello, I am Katie. I am the mother of two incredible, but wild, boys. I am also a gestational surrogate!
Surrogacy is something I have been passionate about since the moment I first learned about it. After watching some of the women closest to me struggle with infertility and then being able to witness someone else’s surrogacy journey - I knew that this was exactly what I needed to do! In March of 2019 I signed up for my first surrogacy journey through JA and I have been so passionate about it ever since.
My goal as Surrogate Support is to create a safe place for all surrogates. I want to be your greatest cheerleader and your shoulder to cry on. I want to help guide our surrogates throughout their journey as smoothly as possible.
I am extremely grateful to be joining the JA village as a Surrogate Support Worker and to take everything I have learned and use it to help others learn and enjoy the process!
Jeremy: Surrogate Partner Support
Hi, my name is Jeremy. I am the proud father of two amazing children and the Surrogate Partner Support at JA Surrogacy Consulting.
I have been in the roofing industry for just over a decade now and was introduced to surrogacy through my wife. It was always something she had wanted to do growing up so we decided to begin our first journey in 2018. Surrogacy is such a beautiful selfless gift. There is no better feeling than seeing the intended parent hold their baby for the first time! Those who choose to move forward on these journeys, both as surrogates or intended parents, are truly remarkable.
My role at JA is to be a support route for the partners of any surrogate that may need it, and to help answer any questions they may have when first considering a journey. I am extremely grateful to be a part of such an amazing community.
Krista: Intended Parent Support
Hi, my name is Krista. I live with my husband, our two amazing kids, two dogs, and four chickens! I’m a lover of all animals, playing roller derby, food, and music.
I’ve been an Emergency Nurse for 15 years and I’m a two-time surrogate. These experiences have helped me gain a greater understanding of communication, empathy, and team work.
My time as a surrogate led me to see what a large and amazing surrogacy community there is in Canada. It has also been an opportunity for me to learn more about the many obstacles people can face when trying to become parents. I have been searching for a way I could contribute, give back, and be a beacon of light on a road that isn’t always easy to navigate.
I’m excited for my role here at JA Surrogacy as Intended Parent Support. I’ll be your shoulder to cry on, as well as your greatest cheerleader throughout your journey. I have a passion for helping people and look forward to guiding our intended parents through the process as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Danica: Intended Parent Support
Hi I’m Danica, a wife and mother to Irish Twins who are just 11.5 months apart.
In early 2018, I began looking into surrogacy and immediately became intrigued. I signed up to be a surrogate and 2 years later, delivered my first surrogate baby. The immense sense of gratitude I felt to be involved in such a monumental part of someone’s life, along with an incredible sense of accomplishment after birth, has led me onto another journey as a gestational surrogate.
My previous work experience in Operations and Human Resources has given me the tools to effectively communicate and connect with people in all walks of life. My experience as a wife and a mother has conditioned my heart to be a protector, and a friend.
I am so pleased to join the team at JA as an Intended Parent Support Specialist and feel eternally grateful to be working with an incredible team, and in an industry I feel so passionately about.
Linsay: Administration Manager
Hi there, I’m Linsay. I’m a mom of two beautiful teenage girls and the Administration Manager here at JA Surrogacy Consulting.
I’ve known I was meant to be a surrogate ever since I first learned what it was. As an adoptee myself, I always felt called to give back and help someone who was struggling with infertility. In 2014, after having connected with an agency via social media, I went through my first surrogacy journey with a couple who’d struggled for several years. Witnessing the changes in my intended mother and father after the arrival of their son was a privilege and felt nothing short of miraculous.
After going through this journey and witnessing those of my fellow surrogates, I felt drawn towards working with the LGBTQ community. My second and third journeys were with the same couple, who are now busy dads to a son and a daughter. I’m also proud to be part of my local Pride committee, helping organize Pride events every year in my hometown.
Historically, couples often struggled in silence trying to have a family. I’m both honoured and humbled to be in a position to break that silence and help, not only as a surrogate and a passionate advocate for alternative family building and LGBT rights, but now also in my role as Administration Manager. I’m excited to be able to work directly with surrogates and intended parents as their journeys progress. Having had both agency and independent journeys myself, I recognized a dire need for change within the industry. I fully believe in the integrity of the program here at JA Surrogacy, and I am so proud to join this incredible village!
Larissa: Surrogacy Educator
Hello, my name is Larissa. My husband and I have been married for 19 years! I am a Mom to a baby girl in Heaven, she passed away to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome when she was 25 days old. I also have four boys. They are 17, 15, 14 and a half and 12 years old.
I have wanted to be a surrogate for at least 12 years, if not longer. I enjoyed being pregnant and giving birth. Knowing what it feels like to lose a baby increased my desire to be a surrogate to help people that can't have a baby the traditional way. I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl for her amazing parents in March 2024! Such beautiful moments to share with my family throughout our journey and now I am embarking on a sibling journey!
I would love to help other women decide to become a surrogate. If you have any questions please reach out to me. If I can't answer a question, I will get the answer for you as soon as I can.
I am excited to be joining the JA crew! And can't wait to get to help other women help people make families!