Meet Our Staff

Stuart Bell is the co-owner and CEO of Growing Generations, the largest surrogacy and egg donation company in the United States. Prior to joining Growing Generations, Stuart spent over a decade in executive level positions in both profit and not-for-profit companies. As a writer with a strong emphasis on gay rights issues, his work has appeared in numerous publications over the past 20 years. He is the author of "Prayer Warriors," a memoir published in 1999 by Alyson publications. In February, 2008, Stuart and his husband welcomed their son into the world who was conceived through surrogacy and egg donation. He is active as a donor and volunteer with local and national organizations including currently serving as Co-Chair of the American Fertility Association. A native of Tennessee, Stuart holds a degree in Communications from Middle Tennessee State University, and has lived in Los Angeles since 1992.

Kim Bergman Ph.D. is the founder of Fertility Counseling Services, Inc., providing all aspects of psychological services to individuals and agencies in the field of fertility and assisted reproduction. Dr. Bergman also is a co-owner of Growing Generations LLC.

Dr. Bergman is a member of the Board of Directors of Family Equality, the only national non- profit organization solely dedicated to equality for LGBTQ parents and their families, through advocacy, education and support. Dr. Bergman's professional affiliations include the American Psychological Association, Los Angeles County Psychological Association, and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Dr. Bergman and her partner of 28 years have two daughters, ages 15 and 13. Born in Los Angeles, California, Dr. Bergman completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology at UCLA. She then went on to obtain both her Master's and her Doctoral degrees in psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology Los Angeles. Dr. Bergman has been a licensed psychologist since 1992

Teo Martinez graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles. Later he earned an executive MBA from Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business and Management, where he was inducted as a Beta Gamma Sigma honoree. Martinez has been involved with client expense account administration since he started with the companies in 1999, and is an authority in the field of surrogacy and egg donation cost analysis. Martinez currently oversees the Marketing, Finance and Operations departments of Growing Generations. In addition, he is the executive officer in charge of customer care and satisfaction. With his educational background and over 12 years of experience in the industry, Martinez is one of the most experienced and accomplished professionals in the field.

Erica oversees the Client Services department and is a graduate from Central Washington University. She joined Growing Generations and Fertility Cryobank in 2004. Prior to joining the companies, Erica completed an internship with Growing Generations in the summer of 2003, and was an egg donor in our program. In February, 2009, Erica and her wife Monica welcomed their son Gavin into their lives who was conceived using donor sperm. Erica is passionate about helping people to realize their dreams of becoming parents . She resides in Los Angeles and enjoys hiking, going to the beach and spending time with family and friends.

Vanessa is the Client Development Manager, having begun her career as an Administrative Coordinator and working as a Client Services Coordinator. Originally from Palm Beach Gardens, FL, she attended college in Boston. She received her bachelor's degree in 2004 from Emerson College. Vanessa enjoys talking with surrogates, egg donors, and clients about this amazing journey. This Los Angeles transplant can be found exploring Southern California in her free time.

Andrew serves as our liaison to clients in Europe and first came to Growing Generations as a client himself. He and his husband Roger are currently Intended Parents working on their first surrogacy cycle with the agency. After studying art history at Pomona College, Andrew worked for 20 years in media and public relations, first at leading US cultural institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art and LACMA. Since 2002, he has lived and worked as a journalist in Spain, writing on travel, culture, and lifestyle for respected US and European publications. Across Europe, there is a new awareness of surrogacy as an option for those wanting to be parents, and as an American citizen living abroad, Andrew has a unique understanding of both the U.S. health care system and the concerns that international clients have as they embark on the process of creating their families.

Erica joins Growing Generations as a Client Services Coordinator for the Client Services Department. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communication and minor in Theatre from Ithaca College in 2008. She has a wide range of previous experience from hospitality service to assisting on grant proposals to provide broadband internet to rural regions in West Virginia. Erica enjoys musical theatre, antiquing, spending time with family and friends, singing in her car, and quoting the TV show FRIENDS.

Lisa joins Growing Generations with 15 years of experience in the surrogacy community. In addition to her 15 years of professional surrogacy experience, Lisa has been a surrogate 3 times. In 1996 she gave birth to a baby boy for a couple in Connecticut, in 1998 she helped a couple add a baby girl to their family, and in 2002 she finished her surrogacy journeys with a baby boy for a couple in Maryland.

"I will never forget the day my first surrogacy ended with the birth of my couples’ son. The intended father was up at my head trying to be respectful and my husband, a Marine Gunnery Sergeant, reached across my stomach with his hand extended to the dad and said, "Come here dad, you only get one chance to see your son be born". It finally hit me then, what we were doing was much bigger than I ever imagined. It was then that I got involved in surrogacy full time.

Lisa resides in Alabama with her husband of 19 years, John. She is a former Marine and has two sons John, 18, who leaves for Marine boot camp in June, and Zachary, 16,a junior in high school. In her free time Lisa operates an all-volunteer dog rescue, taking in stray and abandoned dogs in need.

Anna is a previous surrogate of twins with Growing Generations and had a wonderful experience! She has come to Growing Generations to help other women realize their dreams of helping others. Originally from Texas, she has been a stay at home mom and bringing up her brood there for the past few years. With this new opportunity she very excited to share her experience as a surrogate and mom with other women. In her free time Anna likes to explore historical districts, read, cook and play card games. Hanging out with family and friends is a great pastime for her too.

Heidi joined the Growing Generations family as a Client Services Coordinator in the Ohio Valley office and was promoted to Client Services Manager. Heidi attended Kent State University where she majored in Child Psychology. Heidi has spent the past 15 years working in the social service field. She spent several years at a Residential Treatment Facility working with "at risk" youth, and more recently she provided Early Intervention Services for families in need of Child Development Education and Social Service Support. Heidi has been married for 10 years and has an 8 year old daughter. Heidi enjoys time with her family, lounging by the pool, reading, and watching reruns of 'Friends".

Lacey joins Growing Generations as a Client Services Coordinator. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Specialized Studies with concentration areas of Social Work, Health, and Psychology from Ohio University. She is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Social Work. Lacey comes to Growing Generations with seven years of experience in the Social Services field, as well as experience in the Hospitality Field. Lacey has a strong desire to help enrich the lives of others. She enjoys relaxing in the sun, going for walks, and spending time with friends and family.

Stephan joined the Growing Generations team with an extensive employment history in hospitality and customer service. It was serendipity for he had recently moved back to the Ohio Valley to spend more time with his family. He has superbly enjoyed the discovery of the exciting prospects offered by helping support Growing Generations family development.

His history of education includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from William Paterson University in New Jersey. He also has dual citizenship with Ireland, and lived in London for over four years. Passions include cycling, and Stephan has completed over 3,000 miles of charity rides. Others have offered kudos that he bikes to work, but actually he “works to bike”.

Recently having moved back from the Philadelphia metro area, Mary enjoys being with her family in West Virginia. She has a background working in fashion and client service related fields. Mary received her associate’s degree in liberal arts from Delaware County Community College, and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree. Mary enjoys spending time with her four year old son and loves the idea that she has a part in giving families the same joy she receives from being a parent. When she’s not busy, Mary enjoys traveling-especially the east coast and all of its wonderful cities, visiting art museums, sewing and refurbishing used furniture. While Mary prefers the hustle and bustle of the big cities, she is adjusting to the simple life, although, she still honks when people stop at yellow lights.

Jamie has worked in finance support roles in the banking, customer service and the medical sectors. She loves spending time with her husband, family, friends, dog and three cats. Her favorite pastimes are shopping, watching movies, listening to music, and dancing. She is so excited be part of a company that creates lives and gives hope to Intended Parents and families. She hopes that one day she will have the opportunity to become a parent herself.

Nicole joins Growing Generations as a Financial Coordinator. She studied accounting at The University of Akron and has over six years of experience in finance. She loves spending time with her family and is very proud to be part of a team that creates new families each and every day. In her free time, you can find Nicole spending time with her family and friends or listening to music. She also enjoys traveling and being introduced to new places and people.

Dan is privileged to have joined the Growing Generations family in August 2011. He works as a Financial Coordinator in our Ohio Valley office. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Franklin University in December 2010 and has thirteen years of banking experience. He enjoys spending time and traveling with his wife of 14 years, his daughter, and their two dogs. Dan is an avid fan of Jeff Gordon and The Ohio State Buckeyes.

Craig is a graduate from Marshall University in West Virginia, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. Prior to joining Growing Generations Craig spent the last five years working as a Sales Manager in a retail environment; and before that as a Senior Securities Specialist in a bank’s Trust Accounting department. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time and traveling with his wife, watching and attending sporting events, golfing, snow skiing, cooking and relaxing with friends and family.

Ronda is the Operations Coordinator in our Ohio Valley Office. She began her career in the medical field as a Medical Assistant for over 15 years in a local hospital. After moving to Kent, Ohio she started working at the College of Medicine as an Executive/Department Assistant to over ten PhD’s. She then worked as an assistant to the general manager of a major airline and a payment coordinator with a waste management company.