about us

marissa bernardo

FOUNDER OF DEFINING JOURNEYS

INTENDED MOTHER ⋒ CANCER SURVIVOR ⋒ SURROGACY EDUCATOR & ADVOCATE

Following a battle with cancer that took her ability to become pregnant, Defining Journeys founder Marissa Bernardo took on two surrogacy journeys in the pursuit of motherhood.

Along the way, she became a community pillar, sharing her journey online to millions of people and guiding others in their own journeys with her words of encouragement and advice. As more and more IPs began to lament to her that they wanted accessible A to Z surrogacy support, Marissa saw a gap in the industry and from there, Defining Journeys was born.

Defining Journeys (named in part for her miracle baby, DJ), answers the question many IPs ask themselves: is there one space I can go to for support from my earliest surrogacy questions, to matching, all the way through to the postpartum phase? Focused squarely on financially and geographically accessible support, intended parents on independent and agency-journeys are welcome for both group and 1 to 1 coaching on a variety of topics.

ALycia King

surrogate support coordinator

SURROGATE ⋒ SURROGACY EDUCATOR & ADVOCATE

Alycia began her surrogacy journey years ago and is now on her second journey as a gestational carrier. Since then, she has become deeply immersed in the surrogacy world, developing a passion for community education, advocating for ethical surrogacy practices, and supporting intended parents and surrogates throughout each stage of their journey.

Her first experience was challenging, marked by a missed miscarriage and difficulties accessing medical care, which only strengthened her commitment to support and advocate for surrogates facing similar struggles. For years, Alycia has hosted a free surrogate support group, and she now provides personalized one-on-one support to surrogates who are currently on their journey and seeking additional guidance.