At Cofertility, our team makes all the difference in how we support our members. Each month, we’ll introduce you to one of the dedicated people working behind the scenes to make your experience better.
This month, we’re excited to spotlight Juli, one of our incredible Member Advocates! Before joining Cofertility, Juli worked as a surrogacy case manager, guiding intended parents and gestational carriers through every step of the surrogacy process, from match to well beyond delivery. She also served her community as a birth and postpartum doula, birth assistant, and childbirth educator, bringing a wealth of hands-on experience to her work. Having navigated her own fertility journey for over 15 years, Juli brings deep empathy, compassion, and advocacy, especially for the LGBTQ+ community, to every interaction. At Cofertility, she’s passionate about ensuring members feel supported, seen, and empowered throughout their family-building journeys.
Let’s get to know Juli better:
Q: What drew you to working at Cofertility? Initially I was interested in deepening my knowledge and experience in third party reproduction.
I’ve always had an affinity for women’s reproductive health in particular, and I wanted to move into a role that provided more exposure to the medical side. When I found Cofertility, I knew it was exactly where I wanted to be. Our mission to make egg freezing and egg donation more accessible, less transactional and more human-centered is what drew me to join the team at Cofertility.
Q: Can you walk us through what a typical day looks like for you?
Every day brings something new, and I’m constantly learning and growing in this role. That being said, my typical day begins with a quick review of all my matches to ensure that everyone is aligned and up to date on current priorities and progress. I spend the morning getting focused and prioritizing my daily tasks. I then address them one match at a time, taking breaks for meetings with other Member Advocates on our fresh donation pod, where we support each other in helping intended parents and Split members navigate the process.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of supporting members through their family-building process?
Without a doubt, the most rewarding part is witnessing dreams come true. The work we do is life-altering, and it is such an honor to play even the smallest role in that!
Q: Is there a particular member story that has stuck with you?
They are all so unique and special, it’s hard to choose just one that stands out. Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to support a group that feels like it was written in the stars. On their match meeting call, there was so much more that was discovered that they had in common, we all had difficulty fighting back tears. While not every group desires that high level of disclosure and relationship, when they do, it’s so beautiful to witness the connection they all feel with one another.
Q: How do you approach supporting members who might be feeling anxious or uncertain?
First and foremost, I want to understand where the uncertainty stems from. What is the root cause? Then we work together to relieve some of the anxiety and uncertainty. I ask (and answer) as many questions as it takes, and do my best to validate their concerns. This is such a deeply personal process, it is normal for it to feel heavy at certain points in the journey. I want our entire member community to understand that and honor how they are feeling, regardless of what that feeling is.
Q: What’s one thing you wish more people knew about egg donation?
Egg donation is evolving in the most beautiful ways. Today, both egg donors and intended parents are embracing greater openness and transparency. The growing number of laws designed to protect donor-conceived individuals reflects this shift toward a more human-centered and compassionate approach across the entire industry. It’s exciting to see Cofertility leading the way there.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their family-building process, what would it be?
There is a bit of a hurry-up-and-wait to this process, and it can sometimes take a great deal of patience to move through each stage. Whether it’s the egg donation process, the IVF/surrogacy journey…being that there are many emotional layers involved, it is easy to become frustrated and impatient. Have grace with yourself and with others. Embrace and honor your emotions along the way. As an avid hiker, I’m reminded of the saying “the best view comes after the hardest climb”.
Q: Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?
I play a lot of beach volleyball and I hike regularly. I also love kayaking and paddleboarding – really anything to stay active and to enjoy the outdoors.
Q: How do you practice self-care while supporting members through emotional moments?
I’ve always been good at staying calm and presenting in a relaxed manner, even when things are difficult. I didn’t realize that until I became a doula several years ago. When a member is experiencing an emotional time, I channel that same energy in the moment. Then, when the opportunity allows, I might take a few minutes to step away and release any tension I may be feeling. Holding space for someone doesn’t mean I can fix the situation (although I’m going to try!) and it’s important to remember that support looks different for everyone, and sometimes just showing up is enough. I try to remember to extend the same grace to myself that I often tell my groups to give to themselves.
Q: What’s one of your proudest moments as a Member Advocate?
My proudest moment has been bridging the gap between my previous role as a surrogacy case manager and my current role as a Member Advocate, connecting like-minded professionals and resources to create an even more seamless, supportive and meaningful experience for our members. Collaborating within this community is truly special, and it’s an honor and a privilege to witness that impact both through my own lens and through the experiences of our members.
