At Bright Futures Families, we are all in it together — and we really mean it. Behind every match, every transfer, and every newborn cry is a team of people who juggle policies, paperwork, podcasts, problem-solving, and (of course) a lot of coffee.

We’re more than just titles and job descriptions. We’re a team that’s lived parts of this journey ourselves — as surrogates, through infertility, or in the legal surrogacy field. We know what it’s like to long for a family and to fight for it. That’s why when you choose BFF, you don’t just get a professional team — you get a team that gets it.

So, who are we? Let’s pull back the curtain.

Jenn – Founder, Visionary, and Professional Fire-Putter-Outer

Jenn is our behind-the-scenes mastermind. She spends her time troubleshooting problems before they even think about happening, networking like a pro, and keeping BFF connected and growing. She’s also a voice behind the I Want to Put a Baby in You podcast, where she gets to chat with some of the most interesting people in the fertility space.

Before BFF, Jenn was a paralegal in an ART law firm — but after her own infertility journey, her passion turned to helping families reach their dreams. More than 175 babies later, we’d say that passion has paid off.

Fun fact? She used to be a competitive cross-country ski racer. Now she channels that same endurance into quilting, cross-stitching, stained glass, and about a dozen other crafts she “dabbles” in during her free time.

Ellen – Co-Founder, Legal Guide, and Pen-Twirling Pro

Ellen co-founded Bright Futures Families, starting small by helping hopeful parents and surrogates in Colorado, and watching it grow into a program that now supports families across the country.

With a degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley, and a law degree from Emory University School of Law, Ellen entered the surrogacy space after watching loved ones struggle on their road to parenthood. In 2013, she founded a law firm dedicated to protecting intended parents, surrogates, and donors navigating the legal side of family building.

Her biggest win? Being there from the very beginning — helping plant the seed that’s grown so many hopeful intended parents into proud moms and dads.

Fun fact: Ellen can twirl a pen like nobody’s business — over the thumb, backwards, forwards… you name it. Outside of work, she’s often driving school carpool or trying to convince the family’s mini golden doodle to love her more than her spouse.

Amanda – The Swiss Army Knife

Amanda is our glue, our referee, and our resident Magic 8-Ball. She manages people, all things CRM, and case management, while also writing policies, training staff, solving problems, and running point on about a dozen projects at once. If it needs doing, Amanda’s probably already halfway through it.

She came to this work after being an independent surrogate herself, which gives her a unique compassion for both sides of the process. She knows the hard stuff — and she’s here to make sure others don’t feel as alone as she once did.

Also: she knows ASL, loves painting and crafts, and is learning new ways to show appreciation. And yes, sarcasm is included in her professional toolkit.

Callie – The First Hello

Callie is often the first voice new surrogates hear. As Intake Coordinator, she guides women through their first steps, gathers records, and makes sure they feel supported right from the start. And she knows the path personally: Callie has been a three-time gestational carrier herself.

She’s passionate about helping surrogates feel prepared and empowered — and she’s living proof of the impact one woman can make on multiple families.

Fun fact? Callie can’t stand Chapstick that’s not perfectly smooth. (She also has a hidden talent: loving other people’s kids like they’re her own.) When she’s not working, you’ll find her at spin class, on family cruises, or jumping on the trampoline with her kids.

Christine - GC Communicator Extraordinaire & Doer of All Things Needed

Christine is often one of the first people you’ll meet when starting your surrogacy journey! She’s here to make those first steps feel a whole lot less overwhelming. She helps guide you through your application, gathers medical records, and keeps everything organized so you can move forward with confidence.

As a former surrogate herself, Christine truly gets it. She knows the emotions, questions, and excitement that come with the process. She is passionate about making sure both surrogates and intended parents feel supported from day one.

Fun fact: Christine was once the captain of both her synchronized swimming and golf teams — these days, she’s more likely to be found reading, hiking, or managing life with her kids (sometimes all at once).

Ashley – The Case Manager with Comfy Shoes and Superpowers

Ashley wears many hats — case manager, podcast wrangler, blog writer, video coordinator, escrow helper, and all-around superhero. She’s the calm, reliable voice that intended parents and GCs count on, and she has the organizational skills of a detective on caffeine.

She’s been with BFF since 2018, and she thrives on supporting families with empathy, humor, and a ton of heart.

She’s ambidextrous (yes, she can snack and write at the same time), and she swears her plants grow better when she talks to them.

Danielle – The Matchmaker and Steady Guide

Danielle is one of our case managers, specializing in matching coordination. She helps connect surrogates and intended parents, guiding them until the right “fit” is found. Her background in case management and mental health (plus her own experiences with IVF and surrogacy) make her a compassionate, grounded resource for everyone she works with.

She’s also a talented whistler (jealous yet?) and a singer. When she’s not helping families, you might find her traveling or watching sports with her own.

Shira - Case Manager & Chaos Wrangler

Shira is one of our case managers, supporting gestational carriers and intended parents from match all the way through delivery. She keeps things moving behind the scenes, coordinating with clinics, attorneys, and partners, while also being a steady, compassionate presence throughout the journey.

With a background as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Shira brings a deep understanding of emotional support, communication, and relationship-building. She often calls this her “happy job,” because she gets to walk alongside people during one of the most meaningful experiences of their lives.

Fun fact: Shira has spoken at mental health conferences in Moldova and Belarus, is always cold (always), and prefers baking over cooking any day of the week.

Janelle – The Voice Behind the Posts

If you’ve seen our social media, you’ve met Janelle. She creates graphics, writes posts, and shares stories that make surrogacy relatable, encouraging, and stigma-free. As a former gestational carrier herself, she knows the importance of real, honest storytelling — and she’s passionate about making sure others feel seen and supported.

She’s also a Swiftie (13/13 stars for the Eras Tour!) and lives in Colorado with her family. She brings heart, creativity, and just the right touch of sparkle to our online presence.

Why Choose BFF?

Because when you choose us, you don’t just get case managers and coordinators — you get real people with lived experience, quirky talents, and huge hearts. We’ve been where you are, and we’ll walk alongside you with knowledge, care, and maybe a little humor when it’s needed most.

After all, we don’t just help grow families — we’re a family ourselves.