About Joy of Life Surrogacy

We believe in life, and you can believe in us.

Who We Are

Joy of Life is a compassionate surrogacy agency committed to creating life, fostering joy and nurturing dreams. We are experts in our field, with team members boasting extensive experience in the clinical, psychological and legal aspects of surrogacy. But more than that, we are a family — a community bound by the shared purpose of helping others realize the joy of parenthood.

Our name, Joy of Life, reflects our belief in the profound happiness that the gift of life brings not just to the intended parents but to the surrogate mothers, our team and the community we’ve built. We aspire to make the surrogacy process not just successful but also a life-affirming and gratifying experience for all involved.

Our Mission

At Joy of Life Surrogacy, we provide personalized support, guidance and education for surrogates and intended parents.

Joy of Life was born from a desire to help those struggling or unable to conceive traditionally build a path to parenthood. After years of working in the fertility field, Joy felt moved to create her own agency to honor the extraordinary gift of surrogacy and to help others build their families with dignity and respect.

In addition to our direct work, we proudly sponsor organizations like Men Having Babies, SEEDS Ethics, and Miracle Babies. This involvement highlights our dedication not just to individual journeys, but to the wider surrogacy and family-building community, reinforcing our commitment to nurturing and supporting the path to parenthood at every level.

The Journey to Joy

In 2016, I was working with an international couple of intended parents, serving as an advisor in their surrogacy journey. They did not speak English and wanted to make sure they understood what to expect, so translation was key. We made flexible plans for travel and carefully prepared for their new arrival.

When the time for delivery was near, they made the 10-hour drive to Redding, California from L.A. Baby was born healthy and cleared to leave with them the following day. Many happy tears were shed.

Since the surrogate had delivered via C-section, her hospital stay would be days longer. She had chosen not to see the baby for fear of attachment, but all that separated us was a long hallway.

The following morning, just before sunrise, we heard a soft knock on the door. Clearly having made her way to our room without assistance, the surrogate stood there, alone.

She had changed her mind about holding the baby, she said, and asked if she could just hold him once. Her eyes scanned his face, memorizing it, and she rocked him in her arms. Nurses came and went. After many long moments, she handed him back to the family. As she turned to leave the room, her hand rose to wipe tears from her face.

At that moment, it struck me with a deep resonance that she was alone. Alone in her journey, her choices, and her recovery. Alone, walking down a hallway without a hand to hold or a reassuring voice. A day after giving the most generous gift one can offer — the gift of life.

My heart made a decision that day: no surrogate should face her journey alone. Joy of Life was founded on the strong belief that surrogacy care should encompass both sides, and no step should be taken in solitude. Together, our team forms a supportive, compassionate village where the care of surrogates and intended parents is our top priority.

Our Surrogacy Agency

Our surrogacy agency, nestled in the heart of Southern California, serves as the heart of our operation, connecting loving families nationwide with dedicated and compassionate surrogate mothers. We strive to provide holistic, comprehensive services, from meticulously matching surrogates with intended parents to legal and medical guidance throughout the surrogacy journey.

Our resources include an in-house team of professional clinical advisors with extensive experience in the field, licensed nutritionists to aid in maintaining a healthy pregnancy and psychologists to provide emotional support. We also provide access to top-tier medical facilities, legal advisors and support networks.

But beyond the tangible resources, our surrogacy agency is rich in community. Our priority is to create a warm, supportive environment where everyone feels valued, respected and part of the Joy of Life family. It’s this combination of professional expertise and heartfelt compassion that sets Joy of Life apart as a leading surrogacy agency.

Meet Our Team

At Joy of Life, our team encompasses a rich tapestry of experiences. Among us, you’ll find former surrogates, parents who have welcomed children via surrogacy and experienced clinical coordinators who have assisted surrogate mothers and intended parents in their remarkable journeys.

With a comprehensive understanding of every aspect of the surrogacy process, our team is well-equipped to guide you with wisdom and empathy. We want to know your story — and we want you to become a part of ours.

A row of woman posing and smiling for a picture.

Founder and CEO

Joy Millan

I’m Joy, the founder and CEO of Joy of Life. With a professional background as a fertility clinician, I’ve spent thousands of hours working with surrogates and intended parents alike. As a mother of two, I often wished for more support and a deeper commitment to care for those embarking on non-traditional family-building journeys. This is why I established Joy of Life: to create a more robust, compassionate experience in parenthood for both parties involved with surrogacy.

In 2021, I stepped back from daily operations at Joy of Life to fight cancer. Fortunately, the combined 20 years of experience from our incredible team has allowed me to focus on my health & recovery. I continue to provide company guidance and serve as the head liaison for our network of doctors, clinicians and caregivers.

Financial Manager

Ming

As the Financial Manager at Joy of Life, I help IPs manage the total cost of their surrogacy experience with an informed financial forecast. Through personalized consultations and billing guidance, I build a fiscal plan for their journey that keeps them informed and empowered. I also serve as a liaison between IPs and their surrogates, ensuring qualified payments are made accurately and on time. I am enthusiastic about helping Intended Parents achieve their surrogacy goals and truly appreciate sharing in the joy of a new family member! In my free time, I support my local pet shelter as a cat foster and enjoy dancing.

Employee Success Lead

Scarlet

Hi, my name is Scarlet! I am one of the newer faces here at Joy Of Life. As an HR professional, I am committed to ensuring our employees are supported, empowered, and engaged. Whether providing guidance on company policies and procedures or assisting with recruitment and onboarding, my goal is to create a positive and productive work environment for all. I am excited to be a part of this team and look forward to contributing to the continued success of our organization.

Admission Specialist Supervisor

Hellen

Hi! My name is Hellen, and I am the Lead Admission Specialist at Joy of Life. I’m a mother to a 9-year-old son, and due to have a girl soon! I’m here to guide some of your surrogacy journey’s initial screening steps and evaluate your health history with discretion and respect. I spent four years in the pediatric department at Kaiser, and I still bring that tenderness to Joy of Life every day. As an experienced surrogate mother myself, I devote my time to making sure every surrogate receives the personalized care and support they deserve.

Surrogate Admissions Specialist

Bianca

I’m Bianca, one of your Admission Specialists at Joy of Life- and I can’t wait to meet you! I’ll help you understand what to expect as a gestational carrier with us and help answer any questions you may have. I am a mother of four currently beginning my first surrogate journey, and I love sharing my personal experience to make yours easier. I’ve spent the past decade working with children and am pursuing my degree in Psychology. I’m proud to share my passion for empowering others on their surrogacy journey.

Sales and Marketing Manager

Tia

Making matches — and memories — is an essential part of my role as the Sales and Marketing Manager at Joy of Life. And it truly takes a village! I ensure every surrogate and intended parent has access to important resources and a comprehensive care network to support their journey. As an experienced surrogate, first to twins and later a singleton, I bring an empathetic and warmhearted approach to helping families realize their dreams.

Surrogate Success Advisor Supervisor

Susan

Hello, my name is Susan, and I am our Lead Surrogate Success Advisor here at Joy of Life. My path to this position was circular — literally! Initially, I was a surrogate mother with Joy of Life and was so impressed with the care they provided that I decided I wanted to be part of the team. It’s an honor to guide our surrogates through their journey and help intended parents build their families with the same warmth and support I received. When I’m not ironing out the little details or making lifelong connections with our surrogate mothers and intended parents, I love spending time outdoors with my two children.

Lead Surrogate Success Advisor

Tracy

My name is Tracy, and I am a Surrogate Success Advisor at Joy of Life. I bring a special connection to my field, having been a surrogate mother twice, blessing two families with little boys. I take great pride in serving as a liaison and coordinator for the many things our surrogates need on their journeys with Joy of Life. From working with delivery hospitals to ensuring transportation needs and follow-up appointments are scheduled, I go the extra mile because I’ve been there! When I’m not managing or coordinating for our agency, you’ll find me chasing our 3-year-old Siberian Husky with my husband and our three kids, aged 7, 11 and 14.

Content Creation Coordinator

Briana

Hi, I’m Briana, a Surrogate Success Advisor at Joy of Life. I’m here to ensure our surrogates feel loved and supported throughout the surrogacy journey. Being a surrogate is a beautiful and important job, so I’m here to make sure everything runs smoothly. With that being said, I’ll be sure to be at all the important milestone appointments like medical screenings, transfers, heartbeat appointments, first OB appointments, anatomy scans and, of course, delivery! My promise is I’ll always be my surrogates’ number one supporter. “I love my job” is an understatement!

Surrogate Success Advisor

Chantel

Hello there! I’m Chantel, a Surrogate Success Advisor. My role is guiding our surrogates throughout the process from start to finish (even post-delivery!). I act as a liaison working with all departments to ensure the surrogacy journey runs smoothly. I serve as our surrogates’ primary point of contact and central support system. I help our surrogates navigate the surrogacy journey at every step, such as booking and attending appointments with them, coordinating communication with the intended parents’ success advisor and genuinely pride myself on creating the smoothest possible experience for our clients.

Intended Parent Success Advisor

Dianne

Hello! I am Dianne, an Intended Parent Success Advisor with Joy of Life. Support for our intended parents is a vital part of the journey. I am happy to support our intended parents by being here to guide them and help them understand the steps of this amazing journey. I am very knowledgeable of the surrogacy journey as I have been a surrogate myself; I was very lucky to help three different couples realize their dreams of parenthood to finally become the family they have always wished to be. So being here is truly my passion. I love it here and am thankful to be here. In my spare time, I enjoy being with my family, going to the beach, amusement parks or just staying home with a movie.

Intended Parent Match Facilitator

Jessica

Hi, I’m Jessica, an Intended Parent Match Facilitator at Joy of Life. My role is to connect our Intended parents with surrogate mothers and help assist them in the entire pairing process of this journey. Connecting parents and surrogate mothers is such an emotional and big step, and I am so glad I get to be part of the process of watching families grow and dreams come true. It’s been a blessing to work at Joy of Life and get to watch beautiful things blossom here. In my free time, you can find me playing music, traveling or hanging out at coffee shops with friends.

Management Analyst

Ada

Hi! My name is Ada, and I am an Intended Parent Match Facilitator with Joy of Life. Creating a perfect match between our surrogates and intended parents means considering emotional, financial and physical capabilities with compassion. I make sure these pieces all fit together to form the best possible foundation to build your surrogacy journey. One of the greatest joys of working with this team is how I can foster and support the bond between soon-to-be parents and surrogate mothers. I am so thankful to be a partner here and look forward to connecting with even more families in the future!

Budget Analyst

Kate

Hi, I am Kate. I am a match facilitator with a passion for helping intended parents and surrogates find the perfect match. I strive to create a seamless and fulfilling surrogacy journey for all involved. I believe in the power of empathy, communication, and expertise to guide each unique journey towards a beautiful new beginning.

GC Success Advisor

Jenny

Hello my name is Jenny and I am a GC Success Advisor with Joy of life, Although I haven’t had the chance to be a gestational carrier myself, I am a mother of 2 myself with a 13 years old boy and a girl of 11 years old that I’m truly in love with, during my free time I love to spend time with my family, going out to any adventure places, and meeting new people( Always making new friends everywhere I go ). My favorite color is black, and my favorite food is sushi. I love that I am part of Joy Of Life, and see myself growing more and more with this company and growing a special bond with all of my GC’S this company has been a blessing to me and so happy I received the opportunity, Thank you Joy of life and thank you to all my GC’S for being such beautiful human beings! I am hoping I can one day help a family out myself as well.

Sales & Marketing Specialist

Margaret

Hi, I’m Margaret and I am the Sales & Marketing Specialist. My role is to collaborate with local businesses to bring trusted resources to our GC’s and IP’s. Being a mother to 3 kids taught me the importance of a trusted recommendation and that’s what we want for our families. My experience in Real Estate Sales helps me as I understand the importance of networking and pairing families to homes, now, I can pair business to our families. I am excited to be part of the team that continues to grow at Joy of Life.

Admissions Specialist

Andrea

Hi, my name is Andrea and I'm an Admissions Specialist here at Joy of Life. I am dedicated to guiding and supporting you through every step of your onboarding process during your surrogacy journey. It has been a rewarding experience assisting surrogates through this incredible process. When I am not at work, I enjoy traveling, watching movies, and exploring new hikes with my dog.

FAQs

What makes Joy of Life unique among surrogacy agencies?

Joy of Life is uniquely committed to the comprehensive well-being of our surrogate mothers and intended parents. We extend beyond mere facilitation to offer holistic support encompassing clinical advice, nutritional counseling and psychological support. What truly sets us apart is the autonomy we give our surrogate mothers, allowing them to choose their intended parents to ensure a deeply personal connection and a meaningful surrogacy journey. Our support structure is not limited to a single coordinator — it involves an entire team and a robust community. Our commitment lasts beyond childbirth, maintaining communication and providing surrogate mothers the opportunity to support others in their journey within our community.

Where does Joy of Life operate?

Joy of Life is proud to help build families across the U.S. and internationally as long as surrogacy is not prohibited in your state. We have a strong presence in California, Oregon and Nevada but work with surrogates and families from all across the nation and beyond.

Our Locations:

How does Joy of Life select surrogates?

We have a thorough screening process to ensure the health and well-being of our surrogates and the babies they carry. Prospective surrogates undergo medical and psychological evaluations and must meet specific criteria such as being of a certain age, leading a healthy lifestyle and having a successful pregnancy history. Learn more about the qualifications to become a surrogate.

What support does Joy of Life offer to surrogate mothers during their journey?

Our support for surrogate mothers is extensive and multifaceted. This includes a dedicated case management team available 24/7, regular check-ins with our nutritionist and psychologist, community events, and surrogate retreats. Our goal is to make the surrogacy journey a positive and enriching experience. Learn more about surrogate compensation and benefits.

What kind of relationship can surrogates expect to have with the intended parents?

At Joy of Life, we believe in fostering a strong bond between surrogates and intended parents. Our surrogates have the unique opportunity to choose their intended parents, and we facilitate ongoing communication and relationship-building throughout the surrogacy journey.

Can surrogates work with Joy of Life more than once?

Yes, many women choose to undertake multiple surrogacy journeys with us if they are medically cleared to do so. We love having return surrogates and enjoy supporting them through subsequent pregnancies..

Per the American Society for Reproductive Medicine guidelines, it’s recommended surrogates have no more than five total pregnancies and no more than three c-sections, including pregnancies/c-sections unrelated to surrogacy.