Amy Kaplan, Founder and Director of West Coast Surrogacy, began her career in reproductive medicine in 1990, and has since devoted her life to the field.  Amy got her start at a Southern California IVF center.  It was there she began to realize her passion for reproductive technology as well as a desire to assist others in this worthy pursuit. 

Amy has worked in various roles in the field throughout her career, including Practice Manager for the Southern California Center for Reproductive Medicine under the direction of Robert E. Anderson, M.D. Amy was also greatly involved in the development and management of the Southern California Institute for Reproductive Sciences, an IVF embryology laboratory that is currently utilized by four IVF centers in Southern California. She also was instrumental in the development of a donor embryo program.  

Reproductive medicine has played a significant role in Amy’s personal life as well.  She required the assistance of a reproductive endocrinologist to become pregnant with her daughter Mia, who was born in 2002.  At this time, Amy chose to leave her management position to be a stay-at-home mom.  She didn’t stay away from the field for long, however, and she soon resumed her career as a consultant for a surrogate/egg donor agency, working closely with intended parents, surrogates, attorneys and psychologists.

In 1990, Amy donated her eggs for two couples, resulting in the births of three children.  While one of the donations remains private, the other family has welcomed Amy and her family into their lives, resulting in a special relationship that continues today.  It would be 15 years later that Amy would realize a longtime desire to become a surrogate mother.  Amy calls the experience of carrying twins as a surrogate “life altering” and an event that “had a profound impact on who (she is) today.”   

Amy is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Resolve, and Fertile Hope and has been a guest speaker at Whittier Law School on the topic of surrogacy law and ethical guidelines.  She is also a member and former instructor for the NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association), which uses therapeutic horseback riding for the benefit of individuals with physical, emotional or learning disabilities. 

In addition, she is also a trained birth doula and has attended numerous births including home births, hospital births, and those at birth centers with a midwife.  Amy attends all West Coast Surrogacy births and offers support to the surrogate as well as the intended parents during the remarkable experience. 

Amy lives in Aliso Viejo, California with her husband Jon and their daughter Mia. Her son, Tyler, is currently attending Santa Barbara City College with Jon’s son, Michael.


amy@westcoastsurrogacy.com

Jon Kaplan is the Chief Operating Officer of West Coast Surrogacy. Jon brings with him vast professional knowledge and expertise, as well as the personal experience of seeing surrogacy first hand during Amy’s twin pregnancy in 2006. Although Jon and Amy were fortunate to have their daughter, Mia, with limited assistance, a two year infertility journey left him with an appreciation for individuals and couples alike who yearn to fulfill their dreams of being parents.

Jon also currently works as the Assistant Dean for The Argyros School of Business and Economics at Chapman University.  Jon directs the MBA and Executive MBA Programs at Chapman, and he also serves as part of the strategic planning team for the Argyros School.  In addition, Jon is the Faculty Athletic Representative for Chapman University and is on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Jon is an MBA graduate with honors from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Prior to working at Chapman University, Jon worked for UCLA Anderson as the Associate Director of Admissions, and then as Associate Director of the school’s Parker Career Management Center.

Prior to getting his MBA, Jon graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in Economics from UCLA and then he spent over a decade as Director of Operations for the UCLA Football Team, helping the Bruins reach national prominence.

jon@westcoastsurrogacy.com

Ellen Winters Miller is the Psychotherapist and Counseling Support Provider at West Coast Surrogacy.  Ellen is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in infertility-related issues.  She has been in practice since 1987, working closely with a number of reproductive endocrinologists and egg donor agencies, counseling their patients and families regarding the decisions they face, coping skills and relationship issues.  In addition, since 1993, Ellen has been assessing the suitability of egg donor candidates.  She also provides counseling to egg donors and individuals participating in gestational carrier and surrogate arrangements.

Ellen is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).  As a member of ASRM’s Mental Health Special Interest Group, she was one of 18 members on a national Ovum Donor Task Force. 

From 1985 to 1996 Ellen was very active in RESOLVE of Orange County.  She was a support group participant, and, in 1986 became a support group leader.  From 1990-1996 Ellen volunteered on the Board of Directors for RESOLVE as the support group coordinator.  During that time, she redesigned the Professionally-led Support Group Program.  In 1995 she was recognized for her contributions to RESOLVE by being asked to give training on “Coordinating Professionally-Led Support Groups” for RESOLVE chapter leaders nation-wide at their yearly conference.

Ellen understands the infertility experience not only as a professional, but also personally.   She and her husband participated in 5 ½ years of treatment with reproductive endocrinologists, which included the use of 3rd parties and A.R.T. procedures. 

Ellen is currently on the professional referral resource lists for RESOLVE of the Southwest Region and Fertile Hope, an organization for cancer survivors who are trying to have children.


ellen@westcoastsurrogacy.com

Jacqueline London is the insurance specialist at West Coast Surrogacy. Jacqui specializes in helping individuals select and customize insurance plans and programs that fit their needs and budget, while also educating people on the value and importance of insurance.  Jacqui’s role at WCS is to verify the surrogate’s health insurance policy and to determine what coverage is available, as well as to obtain a term life insurance policy for the surrogate.   

jacqui@westcoastsurrogacy.com