Our Team

United States Offices

Candace O’Brien, Esquire
Executive Director
CandaceO’Brien is a licensed attorney in the State of Illinois. Candace spent many years as an attorney and corporate executive overseas. Candace has worked in the field of international and domestic adoption for over 10 years and she is passionate about helping people regardless of gender, religion, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation to build families. Candace believes that surrogacy provides a fantastic solution for many families who increasingly face barriers in international and domestic adoption Candace brings her passion, knowledge, commitment to excellence and integrity to surrogacy as does the entire team at Advocates for Surrogacy.

Esther Rodriguez
Director of Client Services
Esther has been the Office Manager at AdoptInternational for the past three years. She became fascinated with adoptions when she adopted 2 boys 15 years ago and has pursued a career in helping others achieve their dream of creating a family. She brings with her an Associates Degree in Business Management and over 15 years of Business Management experience. She is also a current member of Phi Theta Kappa and is currently pursuing a Degree in Law.

Dr. Robert Hernandez
Psychological Care
Dr. Robert B. Hernandez is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with eleven years of clinical experience dealing with children and families. His expertise combined with his ability to evaluate and assess not only the functioning of clients served, but to establish a warm rapport and connection that is indispensable in his practice.

KarenChristensen,R.N.,B.S.N.,T.N.S.
Medical Consultant
Karen is a registered nurse with a bachelors of science in nursing. Her career is concentrated in critical care with a specialization in trauma nursing. She has a vast experience with critical care patients, working all over the country from community based hospitals to top ten hospitals in the nation. Not only does she have experience in the United States, she has worked in clinics in Bolivia and Guatemala as a medical missionary. Karen is committed to providing compassionate care to all.

Bobbi Butler
Case Manager
Bobbi has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Special Education. Bobbi is the mother of 2 daughters and 1 son whom she adopted from Guatemala. She is passionate about using her education and experience to help form forever families. Bobbi works with surrogates, egg donors and intended parents in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Pennsylvania.