Sanford M. Benardo, Esq.
Co-Founder and President
Sanford M. Benardo has achieved global recognition within the legal and medical communities as an innovator in the fields of surrogate parenting and third party family building. For more than twenty five years, he has been a featured commentator when major news outlets cover stories related to assisted reproduction and adoption, and he is quoted often in domestic and international print and electronic media. He has represented intended parents, gestational carriers, traditional carriers, egg donors, donor egg recipients, donor egg facilities, hospitals, adoption agencies, adoptive parents, and birth/expectant parents as part of his broad-based fertility law practice.
Mr. Benardo sits on the American Bar Association’s Subcommittees on Reproductive and Genetic Technologies, Adoption, and Ethics, Professionalism and Grievance. He is a founding member of the American College of Assisted Reproduction and Adoption Lawyers (ACARAL) and a past member of the Bioethical Issues Committee and the Children and the Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association. Additionally, he is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and its Legal Professionals Group, the New England Fertility Society, and the Hastings Center for Bioethical Research. Mr. Benardo is also a board member and advisor to several philanthropic and research organizations dedicated to expanding reproductive rights and reproductive choice. He is a graduate of New York University and the Fordham University School of Law, where he was a member of the Fordham International Law Journal. He is admitted to the Bars of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the State of New York, and the United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the United States Supreme Court.
Katherine Benardo
Co-Founder and Egg Donor Coordinator
Kathy has been leading the egg donor program at NAFG since its inception and directs all donor recruiting, pre-screening, matching and cycle coordination. She is sought after for her insights on egg donation by journalists and news programs and has been interviewed extensively by media representatives from around the world. Kathy also maintains the NAFG blog, where she shares her thoughts and invites discussion. Kathy received her BA from Smith College and an MA from New York University.
Lindsay Alexander, MSN, RN
Surrogacy Coordinator
Lindsay is a registered nurse specializing in fertility and reproductive endocrinology. She graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University and received a Master’s in Nursing from Columbia University. She trained and gained initial experience at a large IVF clinic in New York City. With her clinical expertise, comprehensive knowledge of assisted reproductive therapies and administrative/organizational background, Lindsay is well-positioned to guide and support our intended parents and gestational carriers every step of the way.
Suzanne Chalfen
Surrogacy Program Assistant
Suzanne wears a number of hats as part of the NAFG family! She helps us in the field with our gestational carriers and egg donors and she is also instrumental in obtaining and organizing records and associated data. Suzanne has extensive business experience and spent a number of years working as a paralegal with various Boston law offices. She holds a BA from Northeastern University and a certification from Bentley University’s Institute of Paralegal Studies.
Edyta Popek
European Intended Parent Liaison
Edyta has many years of experience working with the principals of NAFG and provides assistance and guidance to our European families. She is a valuable member of our team!
Allison Rosen, PhD
Psychological Consultant
Dr. Rosen is a clinical psychologist in private practice for more than thirty years, specializing in general infertility counseling, third-party reproduction, pregnancy loss, and adoption. She sees individuals, couples and groups to help with reproductive issues, depression, anxiety and other psychological problems. She received her B.A. from the University of California, her Ph.D. from Michigan State University and her Certificate in Psychoanalysis from the William Alanson White Institute.
Dr. Rosen has been at the forefront of research and development related to fertility preservation for cancer patients. She co-founded the Fertility Preservation Special Interest Group in the American Society of Reproductive Medicine and is on the Advisory Boards of Fertile Hope and Sharsheret – organizations that are dedicated to helping cancer survivors. She is former executive director of RESOLVE of New York City where she created educational programs and support systems for infertile patients. Dr. Rosen is the Past President of the William Alanson White Psychoanalytic Society and a faculty member and supervisor at the William Alanson White Institute. She has served as a psychological consultant to many reproductive programs in the tri-state area.
Dr. Rosen edited “Frozen Dreams,” a book written to help therapists better understand their emotional reactions to patients suffering infertility. Dr. Rosen has spoken on television and radio and is a frequent lecturer on reproductive issues.
Fiona Kelman
Egg Donor Program Assistant
Fiona is a freelance photographer and she specializes in lifestyle family portraits. She has been meeting with NAFG egg donors since 2013 and has been in the Boston area with her family since 1997, after growing up in London. Photography is her passion and she enjoys the opportunity to meet and photograph different interesting people. Fiona earned a certificate from CDIA for Professional Photography in 2012.
Rebecca Snow, RN, CCRN
Surrogacy Consultant
Rebecca is a registered nurse specializing in neurosurgery and critical care. She is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and is currently pursuing further studies through Ohio University. Rebecca has been involved with NAFG since 2013. She served as a gestational carrier and now consults with prospective surrogates to offer support, answer questions, and share her experiences.