We want the world to hear more about the amazing employees that make up the Creative Family Connections team. Come and learn more about Samara, our Surrogate Recruiting Manager, in our employee feature!
Before working at Creative Family Connections what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
A little-known fact about me is that I am a violinist! I taught private violin lessons through high school, college and until my oldest (now 16!) was a toddler.
How did you first learn about Creative Family Connections?
Our Client Development & Matching Manager Ruthi, has been one of my closest friends for over 13 years!
How do you balance your career at Creative Family Connections and family?
I feel very blessed to work with a company that is so family oriented. I am able to telecommute allowing myself to be available to see my children off to school in the morning, home on holidays, and available to my family in the evenings and weekends.
If you could pick one theme for Creative Family Connections to turn into a book about the company, what would it be?
Dreams come true!
If you could switch your job with anyone else within Creative Family Connections, whose job would you want?
This is so hard because I truly adore everyone I work with and think everyone has such unique roles that assist our clients and surrogates. I work hand in hand with Sue and Ruthi all day. If I wanted to take on something completely different, I suppose I would say Lauren. She is always so comforting, calm and cool under pressure. I have joked in saying I want her to read me a bedtime story to help me relax at night!
What advice do you have for prospective Creative Family Connections candidates?
The best advice I could give to women who want to become surrogates is to do your research. Have a full understanding of what is required, and ask lots of questions. I am always happy to speak to anyone considering becoming a surrogate mother!
What are 3 words to describe Creative Family Connections?
Compassionate, committed and knowledgeable.
What do you find the most challenging at Creative Family Connections?
There are the rare difficult days when a surrogate’s transfer isn’t successful and those are hard. Our journey coordinators (and the entire team!) are wonderful at supporting our clients and surrogates through the rough patches though – and everyone picks back up and starts again!
What do you like most about Creative Family Connections?
Seeing pictures of the babies that have been born through surrogacy.
What drew you to Creative Family Connections originally? And how has Creative Family Connections changed since?
The idea that “everyone can build a family”. It is incredible to me that we are able to help Intended Parents from so many different demographics have the family they have always dreamed of.
What is on your wish list for the next 10 years with Creative Family Connections?
To keep doing what we do best on a grander scale – finding amazing women who want to give back in the most amazing way possible. To continue creating families, and best and be the #1 surrogacy agency and legal team worldwide. I want to continue to see the joy on the faces of our clients when they hold their child for the first time!
What is the favorite part about working for Creative Family Connections?
The relationships that are formed with the clients and the gestational surrogates. It does in some sense feel like a big “family” and it is really wonderful to be a part of this amazing surrogacy process with them. I especially love that I am involved from the very start, and part of the “first line” in meeting the surrogates, and then I get to see everything come full circle when they deliver the baby for their Intended Parents.
What is your proudest moment at Creative Family Connections?
When we have surrogates that come back to us for repeat journeys either with their same Intended Parents or new Intended Parents. It shows to me that we have accomplished everything we set out to do with an amazing match and support during the first journey.
What is your role at Creative Family Connections?
I am the Surrogate Recruiting Manager. It is my job to recruit and oversee the women who apply to become surrogate mothers with our clients. I also assist Ruthi David on the surrogate side with matching the candidates to our clients. In addition, I help to maintain our social media and online presence. Women who are interested in applying to be surrogates with us can find our application at www.becomeasurrogatemother.com.
Tell us a little bit about your life outside of Creative Family Connections.
I am a mom to 5 amazing children ranging in age from 7-16, my oldest is the only girl! I have started doing yoga and really enjoy the sense of peace I feel during and after. You can find me on the weekends at a hockey rink with my boys or, on the football field or basketball courts cheering on my daughter on the cheer team for her high school. I love music. I am an avid theater fan. I love being outdoors in the summer, especially the beach! I definitely drink more coffee than I should!