Janelle Ibarra
Social media
Social Media & Storytelling Extraordinaire
What I Do
I bring Bright Futures Families’ story to life online — from creating graphics and writing content to engaging with our community across social media. My goal is to make surrogacy understandable, relatable, and full of hope. I love sharing real stories and helpful info that calm nerves, spark inspiration, remove stigma, and help both surrogates and intended parents feel supported every step of the way. (And yes, I do my best to keep it all trendy, too!)
Background & Experience
My career journey has been anything but boring: I’ve worked as an elementary paraprofessional, trained staff at a youth residential treatment facility, assisted with city planning and zoning, and even served as Deputy City Clerk. In 2021, while working in city government, I became a gestational carrier with Bright Futures Families and delivered a baby girl for a wonderful intended family (fun coincidence — they lived in my area!).
After my surrogacy journey, I stayed connected with the BFF team through meetups and events. One thing led to another, and soon I was helping with events and eventually social media. It’s been such a joy to channel my passion for storytelling, education, and connection into this work.
Why I Joined the Team
I joined BFF because I wanted to use my voice to educate, encourage, and uplift — especially for people who need to hear they are not alone, that there is hope, and that their story matters. This team genuinely cares about surrogates, intended parents, and each other, and I love being part of it.
Fun Facts
I live in Colorado with my daughters, partner, and bonus kids.
Surrogacy changed my life, and I love sharing about it everywhere I go (yes, even at my dentist’s office).
I’m obsessed with stories of courage, vulnerability, and hope.
I’m a HUGE Taylor Swift fan — the Eras Tour was 13 out of 13 stars for me!
What I’m Currently Learning
I’m exploring video content more deeply — from Reels and TikToks to Shorts — and finding creative ways to connect surrogacy to what’s trending.
My Role in One GIF
