In this episode of The Future of Surrogacy, host Erin Quick sits down with Shraddha Jain, Chief Technology Officer at Simbe, to explore how surrogacy agencies are often trapped in a maze of disconnected tools—each one meant to help, but collectively creates chaos.
But there is good news! Shaddha walks through how AI is literally stitching disconnected apps together to manage repetitive tasks and surface meaningful insights—giving agencies a comprehensive view of the patterns and trends they've never had access to before!
Listen whenever you get your podcasts: Spotify | Apple
Key Takeaways:
Episode Chapters
00:00 – Introduction: AI’s Role in Human-Centered Work
Setting the stage: why AI belongs in surrogacy—and how it’s often misunderstood.
04:30 – Meet Shradha Jain
Her background as a technologist and product leader building purpose-driven AI systems, and how she found her way to Simbe.
09:00 – The Problem with Patchwork Tools
Why most agencies juggle disconnected CRMs, spreadsheets, DocuSign, and texting apps—and how that drains time and focus.
15:00 – Agent-Based Workflows Explained
How Simbe’s AI agents automate repetitive tasks and surface insights, empowering human teams to focus on connection and care.
23:00 – AI as Support, Not Substitute
Shradha and Erin discuss how empathy and judgment can’t be coded—but can be amplified with the right tools.
30:00 – Predictability and Insights
How AI can help agencies identify red flags, improve screening, and manage risk across hundreds of data points.
38:00 – The Future of AI in Surrogacy
Where innovation is headed—and what agencies should be doing now to prepare.
44:00 – Magic Wand Question
If Shradha could wave a magic wand, every surrogacy agency would have an intelligent, integrated system that unites data, communication, and decision support in one place.
👤 Guest Spotlight
Shradha Jain
Chief Technology Officer, Simbe
✉️ shraddha@simbefamily.com
Shradha is a technologist and product visionary focused on building human-centered AI. As CTO of Simbe, she leads the development of agent-based systems designed to support surrogacy professionals through intelligent automation and data integration—helping agencies reclaim time, reduce burnout, and focus on what really matters: people.
It’s no longer a question of if surrogacy agencies need technology—it’s which technology is right and how to use it without losing the human touch.
In this episode of The Future of Surrogacy, host Erin Quick sits down with Jim Vandagrift, COO of Heart to Hands Surrogacy in Oregon, to explore where technology truly belongs in this deeply personal field.
Jim brings a unique dual perspective: he runs operations at one of the country’s most trusted agencies—and co-founded a medical records startup later acquired by Gather, part of the SeedTrust family. From that vantage point, Jim sees both the promise and the pitfalls of technology in surrogacy.
Together, Erin and Jim unpack how technology can amplify empathy, streamline complexity, and bring clarity to 300-step journeys—without ever replacing the human relationships that make surrogacy possible.
Jim’s “magic-wand wish”? One integrated platform that unifies the dozens of disconnected systems agencies rely on—from intake to escrow to medical record management—so professionals can focus less on logistics, and more on lives.
Key Takeaways
Episode Chapters
00:00 – Introduction: The Tech-Human Balancing Act
How surrogacy’s future depends on blending empathy with innovation.
05:00 – Meet Jim Vandagrift
His personal connection to surrogacy, and how being married to a four-time surrogate shapes his leadership.
10:00 – Technology’s Role in Surrogacy Today
Where tech helps most: screening, records, communication—and where it falls short.
18:00 – Lessons from Gather
What building and selling a medical-records company taught Jim about data, compliance, and innovation.
27:00 – The Integration Challenge
Why agencies struggle with too many disconnected tools—and how one system could change everything.
35:00 – The Human Element
Stories from Heart to Hands on keeping trust, compassion, and humanity at the center.
44:00 – Looking Ahead
How surrogacy will evolve over the next decade—and what professionals should prepare for now.
50:00 – Magic Wand Question
If Jim could build one tool tomorrow, it would integrate every data point into one intuitive platform.
Guest Spotlight
Jim Vandagrift
Chief Operating Officer, Heart to Hands Surrogacy
jim@hthsurrogacy.com
Jim blends operational expertise with compassion-driven leadership. As COO of Heart to Hands—founded by his wife, Adrienne Black, a four-time surrogate—he manages complex surrogacy journeys with precision and heart. His background as co-founder of a medical records company (acquired by Gather) gives him rare insight into how technology can transform, and sometimes complicate, deeply human industries.
In this episode, we sit down with Angela Hartshorn, board member of SEEDS, to unpack the ethical challenges shaping the future of egg donation and surrogacy. With over 32 years of experience in the fertility space—and a personal journey as both an egg donor and gestational surrogate—Angela brings a rare perspective on where the industry has been, where it’s headed, and why ethics must be at the center of it all.
Prefer to watch it? YouTube Video
Or listen whenever you get your podcasts: Spotify | Apple
From escrow scandals and oversight gaps to the growing need for regulation, Angela doesn’t shy away from tough truths. She also highlights the work SEEDS is doing to define ethical practices, foster transparency, and create a community of accountability. Plus—she shares what to expect from the upcoming SEEDS conference in Costa Mesa, CA in November, where surrogacy professionals can engage with these issues firsthand.
(The Simbe team will be at SEEDS too, and would love to schedule some time with you!)
✨ Key Takeaways
What does it take to build a successful and ethical international surrogacy program? In this episode of The Future of Surrogacy, we sit down with Karen Estrada of Gestacy. Drawing on both her professional expertise (including law and international taxation) and her personal infertility journey, Karen sheds light on the nuances of surrogacy programs abroad—particularly in Mexico.
Prefer video? Watch the episode here.
Karen unpacks the misconceptions that often surround international surrogacy, the cultural context professionals must understand, and why transparency with intended parents and surrogates on the pros/cons/risks is non-negotiable.
She also talks through the ethical challenges of surrogate recruitment, the patchwork of legal frameworks across borders, and how technology is reshaping communication and care.
Key Takeaways:
• Misconceptions about international surrogacy often stem from cultural differences.
• Cultural immersion is essential for building successful cross-border programs.
• Transparency and expectation-setting with intended parents are non-negotiable.
• Surrogacy in Mexico presents unique opportunities and challenges.
• Education is critical to shifting perceptions in different cultural contexts.
• Clear, consistent communication supports both surrogates and IPs throughout the journey.
• Ethical considerations must guide recruitment and program design.
• Legal frameworks vary widely across countries, requiring vigilance.
• Technology plays a growing role in ensuring clarity, transparency, and support.
Chapters
00:00 The Balancing Act of Working Moms
01:45 Introduction to Surrogacy and Karen's Journey
07:28 Misconceptions in International Surrogacy
14:11 Navigating Legal and Ethical Challenges
19:43 The Magic Wand: Changing Surrogacy for the Better
(For those interested in learning more about starting an international program, feel free to email Karen: karen@gestacy.com)
Younger generations don’t just tolerate AI—they often trust it more. They text with it, joke with it, and even treat it like a friend. And when it comes to something as personal as the surrogacy journey, the reality is stark: many candidates would rather talk to an AI assistant on their own schedule than wait for the dreaded auto-reply email that says, "schedule a call" or “we’ll call you when we’re back in the office.”
In this episode, Billie Simmons, CEO of Simbe, reveals how their AI assistant Riley is flipping the script on intake. Far from being cold or robotic, Riley is available via phone or text 24/7, aligned with agency values, and—most importantly—tuned to how people actually make decisions. (It might take 25 interactions before a surrogate is actually ready to move forward!)
We dig into what this means for agencies stuck in outdated processes: the risk of losing aligned surrogates to faster, more responsive competitors, and the opportunity to rethink whether AI might actually be the more surrogate-friendly approach.
Billie shares case studies of Riley’s impact on agencies, insights into the emotional connections between humans and AI, and her views on the need for regulation to keep pace with the evolution of the surrogacy category.
If you think AI doesn’t belong in surrogacy, this conversation may challenge that belief.
✨ Key Takeaways:
• Surrogates often prefer texting with AI over waiting for human callbacks.
• AI can feel more human because it’s responsive, consistent, and always available.
• Younger generations treat AI as a friend, not a tool.
• Riley adapts to each agency’s voice, values, and beliefs.
• Agencies free up time by automating repetitive tasks and focusing on high-value work.
• Regulation in surrogacy is necessary to protect candidates, parents, and agencies.
• The future of Riley includes expanded emotional intelligence and capabilities.
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 What Happens When Surrogates Prefer AI
01:21 The Birth of Simbe and Riley
05:17 Why AI May Be the More Human Option
12:38 Addressing Concerns About AI and Connection
15:06 Case Study: Riley’s Impact on Surrogate Candidates
17:19 Emotional Bonds with AI
18:25 Customizing AI to Agency Values
19:32 Generational Shifts in Communication Preferences
21:17 Candidate Engagement and Retention with AI
23:13 Time Savings and Efficiency in Surrogacy
25:07 The Future of AI in Surrogacy
29:41 Competing as a Small Agency with AI
32:58 Why Regulation Is Critical
In this episode, we're joined by Kim Surratt, one of the nation’s leading attorneys in surrogacy and adoption law, to unpack the legal and ethical complexities shaping the surrogacy industry today. With over 20 years of experience in family law, Kim brings a candid look at where the system is working—and where it’s falling short.
From the patchwork of state-by-state laws to the risks of unregulated matching programs, Kim outlines the urgent need for stronger regulations, ethical safeguards, and consistent screening processes. She also sheds light on the thorny questions of birthright citizenship and the glaring gap in insurance coverage that leaves many surrogates and intended parents vulnerable.
Together, Erin and Kim explore the future of surrogacy law—and why reform is essential to protecting families, surrogates, and the integrity of the field itself.
Key Takeaways:
• Surrogacy laws vary widely across states, though more states are moving toward supportive legislation.
• A lack of licensing for agencies has led to inconsistent practices and, in some cases, unethical behavior.
• Proper screening of both surrogates and intended parents is often overlooked or inadequately performed.
• Birthright citizenship in surrogacy remains a complicated and evolving legal issue.
• Insurance policies frequently discriminate against surrogates, underscoring the need for reform.
• Efforts are underway to create centralized lists of disqualified surrogates to curb fraud.
• Comprehensive insurance coverage is critical to safeguarding all parties in the surrogacy process.
Chapters
02:12 Current Structure of Surrogacy Law in the US
05:59 Unethical Practices in Surrogacy
13:51 Challenges in Matching Programs and Agency Regulations
20:12 Screening Processes for Surrogates and Intended Parents
22:17 Background Checks and Surrogacy Screening
25:10 Challenges in Independent Surrogacy
27:47 The Role of Agencies in Surrogacy
29:55 Cost Considerations in Surrogacy
31:43 Professional Guidelines and Standards
34:04 Birthright Citizenship and Surrogacy
39:54 Insurance Coverage for Surrogacy
How does private equity change surrogacy? Caitlyn Devine, Executive Director at Center for Surrogate Parenting (CSP), joins Erin Quick from Simbe to share how CSP navigated the transition from family-run agency to private equity investment—without losing sight of their mission or humanity. We dig into what PE means for day-to-day operations, affordability, and community for intended parents, plus how data and tech can actually help keep the personal touch.
Key Takeaways:
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction: Surrogacy and Private Equity
01:24 – CSP’s Story: From Family Agency to Private Equity
03:50 – How PE Changed Operations (and What Didn’t Change)
06:51 – Business Process vs. Personal Touch: Where’s the Line?
09:08 – Culture & Values: Keeping What Matters in a Corporate World
11:33 – Surrogates’ Views: What Do They Notice?
14:20 – Critics & Skeptics: What Private Equity Gets Wrong (and Right)
16:49 – Upgrades: Tech, Infrastructure, and New Capabilities
20:41 – The PE Playbook: What’s Actually Useful?
21:56 – Decision-Making and Agency Dynamics: Who Calls the Shots?
24:28 – Efficiency, Innovation, and the Role of Data
26:10 – Giving Families Options: Choice and Accessibility
26:35 – Stability: Can PE-Backed Agencies Offer More Security?
29:29 – Looking Ahead: Hopes for the Next Generation of Surrogacy
31:55 – Why Community Support for Intended Parents Still Matters
In this episode of The Future of Surrogacy, we sit down with Crystal Rosburg, CEO of All Love Surrogacy and two-time surrogate (watch one of her stories here!), to explore how the field has evolved over the past two decades—from hands-on clinic roles to leading one of today’s most compassionate agencies.
Crystal shares how her own journey as a surrogate shaped her perspective, why tech has a role (but shouldn't replace human connection), and what today’s surrogate candidates are really thinking about.
We also dig into some of the biggest challenges facing surrogacy professionals today: lack of regulation, shifting expectations around compensation, and the growing need to stand out in a crowded, private equity-backed market.
Key Takeaways:
Whether you're an agency owner, intake coordinator, or attorney, this episode will leave you feeling inspired and informed.
