Pathways to Parenthood is a full-service, for-profit surrogacy agency based in Overland Park, Kansas, in the Kansas City area. According to the agency, it works with intended parents and gestational surrogates of all backgrounds throughout the Midwest, guiding both sides through the surrogacy process from the earliest questions onward.
The agency is small and founder-led. Kerry Christifano, M.A., LCPC, is its founder and CEO; her professional background is as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor working with clients experiencing infertility. That counseling orientation shapes how the agency presents its role, which it describes in terms of expertise, guidance and support rather than paperwork alone. A second staff member is named by reviewers as part of the day-to-day team.
As a full-service agency, Pathways to Parenthood coordinates the surrogacy journey itself, including matching intended parents with gestational carriers and supporting participants through the stages that follow. It does not offer an egg donor program, so intended parents needing donor eggs would arrange that separately. The agency publishes its fees, and its agency fee, surrogate compensation range, and surrogate eligibility requirements — including age, BMI, prior pregnancy and delivery history, smoking, and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency — appear in the tables further down this page.
The agency appears on third-party surrogacy directories as a Kansas option. Its published materials include first-party testimonials from intended parents describing their journeys, and it carries an aggregator-reported rating drawn from Google reviews left largely by surrogates.
AI summary of 9 reviews · can make mistakes
Reviewers are largely positive, with surrogates and intended parents describing a supportive, responsive team and a process that felt smooth and well guided. Several surrogates mention returning for more than one journey, and intended parents describe the experience as easier than they expected. A small minority were unhappy, describing disappointment with transparency and communication when plans changed.
9 reviews match these filters.
I worked with this surrogacy agency for about six months and I honestly went into it with so much hope and trust. From the beginning, I followed every step, answered every email quickly, attended meetings with intended parents, and stayed fully committed to the process. What makes this so painful is how sudden everything changed. After half a year of communication and progress, I received a call telling me they no longer want to move forward with me. There was no clear explanation that made sense after everything I had already invested emotionally and physically into this journey. The tone felt very passive aggressive, like I was being dismissed rather than respected for the time and effort I had given. I have very young babies at home, and during these six months I spent so much of my time responding to agency emails and staying available for calls and updates. I kept thinking it was all leading somewhere meaningful. Now I can’t help but feel like that time could have been spent being fully present with my children instead of sitting by my phone waiting for the next instruction or request. What hurts the most is how far into the process we were when this happened. I don’t understand how things could progress for so long, including meetings with intended parents, only to suddenly be told it’s over. Something about that feels very strange and honestly leaves me with more questions than answers. I’m deeply disappointed and emotionally drained by how this was handled. I expected more transparency and more care from an agency dealing with something as sensitive as surrogacy.
View on Google (opens in a new tab)I cannot express enough how wonderful my experience with Pathways To Parenthood has been. From the very beginning it was clear that they genuinely cared not only for me as a surrogate but also for the intended parents. During my first journey i felt supported every step of the way. It was like having a dedicated force behind me ensuring everything went smoothly. Whenever I needed assistance or has questions Pathways to Parenthood were always just a call or email away. They also checked in to make sure everything was going well. Their commitment to both surrogates and intended parents is truly remarkable. I was so impressed with my first experience that i decided to work with them again for a second journey. and I know i made the right decision. Thank you Pathways to Parenthood for all the love and support you have shown me. I am forever grateful.
View on Google (opens in a new tab)I worked with Pathways to Parenthood for my first gestational carrier journey and have nothing but good to say about them. I had a good friend also complete two journeys with them and was a major influence on me when looking for an agency to work with. Kerry and Tina were wonderful to work with and treated all my questions and concerns with kindness and understanding. Tina was excellent at checking in with me after each appointment and ensuring the lines of communication were open at all times. Pathways is a great agency to work with.
View on Google (opens in a new tab)I started my journey working with Pathways to Parenthood a few years ago and from the very beginning they have been a wonderful agency to work with. Kerry and Tina have always advocated for me , answered any questions I had in a timely manner and helped me have the best experience throughout becoming a surrogate/gestational carrier. I would recommend working with them , to any who is looking to become a surrogate or is looking for a surrogate. They have made the process worth while.
View on Google (opens in a new tab)Google reviews are shown as written and link to the original. Reviewer type is inferred from what each reviewer wrote.
Base compensation
$50,000 – $70,000
Published by the agency. Benefits and allowances are usually on top of this.
Requirements change — confirm with the agency before applying.
See which agencies fit youPathways to Parenthood accepts gestational surrogates between 21 and 40 years old.
Pathways to Parenthood requires surrogates to have a BMI of 33 or lower.
Yes. Pathways to Parenthood requires surrogates to have had at least 1 prior pregnancy.
No. Pathways to Parenthood requires surrogates to be non-smokers.
Pathways to Parenthood's citizenship or residency requirement for surrogates: U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
