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About Us

candace-o-brienCandace O’Brien is the founder and President of Advocates for Surrogacy. Candace is an attorney who has dedicated almost two decades to being an advocate for individuals and couples seeking to build families through adoption and surrogacy regardless of their race, sexual orientation, marital status or gender. She has helped hundreds of couples in their quest to become parents through surrogacy and adoption. She understands the complexities of the laws involved and she is adept at managing the team who will be in place for your surrogacy arrangement. Most of all she is passionate and dedicated to helping create families.

Candace is a member of the Illinois Bar since 1992 and is a member of the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology.

Candace’s approach to each surrogacy journey is to provide her continual support and expertise to Intended Parents and Surrogates throughout their journey. These are not just some hollow buzz words thrown out to fill space on a page. This is really the difference that she offers those who choose Advocates for Surrogacy for their surrogacy journey. It starts from the time Intended Parents initially contacts us. Whether you are a Surrogate or an Intended Parent, Candace takes the time to answer all your questions and address all your concerns. She knows that this is a big deal for you and there are many issues to explore. This often is a process involving several conversations either in person or by telephone or Skype. Once on board Intended Parents and Surrogates will continue to work directly with Candace. No being shuffled around to different staff members.

Advocates for Surrogacy is a boutique agency BUT that does not mean less service. It means that you are continually being guided through the entire process by a pro and not handed off to less experienced staff once on board. This makes a big difference in your day to day experience.

Advocates for Surrogacy is not simply a “matching” agency – we consider ourselves to be your advocate and project manager which includes match maker with your surrogate, legal oversight, risk management, and case management for the entire process each and every step of the way. When it comes to building the team for your particular arrangement, we will ensure that you have experienced experts working on your behalf including, psychologists, lawyers, counselors, insurance experts and medical professionals.

Fertility and Infertility Information

Michelle RossMichelle Ross is our Surrogate Counselor. Michelle obtained her L.C.S.W. in 1998 and has been an advocate for alternative family formation, whether surrogacy or adoption, for over 20 years. Michelle brings to the team here at Advocates for Surrogacy her many years of experience helping individuals and families in therapeutical and clinical settings. Michelle’s main focus is to provide support for each surrogacy journey by engaging with our matched surrogates during their pregnancies.

Veronica VanderVeronica Vander Krake is our Surrogate Mentor. Veronica teams up with each of our surrogates throughout their journeys to provide advice, assistance, and a listening ear. Since she is an experienced surrogate, she serves as a great resource, especially for our first time surrogates. Veronica is a mother of two who, in addition to being our Surrogate Mentor here at Advocates for Surrogacy, works part time as a caregiver for the developmentally and physically disabled. Veronica completed her first surrogacy journey in February of 2017 and “delivered a perfect little boy into the loving arms of his two fathers!” Veronica is currently on her second journey! When Veronica is asked about surrogacy, she responds: “ I LOVE ALL THINGS SURROGACY; helping complete a family is hands down one of THE most rewarding things I have ever, and probably will ever have done!”