Our dedication is fueled by our personal experiences in parenthood and surrogacy. Our families and communities provide us with unparalleled love and support, and we work diligently to do the same for our clients.
I am so proud of our surrogates and overjoyed for the new beautiful families…it’s so rewarding to be a part of these stories.
Brie Powers
president and co-foundeR
She/Her
I received my bachelors in nursing from Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, IA in May 2003. I married my best friend Ben in March 2004, and we have spent the last 18 years in Des Moines. During this time, I worked for a large women’s health organization in which my latest role had been managing a new department initiated to coordinate patient care across the affiliates. I led a team of people driven to provide the best care to patients and their significant others.
I have diversified my work in reproductive health through a number of projects. I was certified as a sexual assault nurse examiner and served through the Mid-Iowa Sexual Assault Response Team by counseling and examining sexual assault victims, as well as serving as an expert witness in court. As a main local coordinator for a large Phase 3 clinical trial, I managed care and trial medication for ten patients in a study. That trial medication is now FDA approved. In addition, I have served as a preceptor to Drake University pharmacy students and nursing students attending Mercy College of Health Sciences and Grand View University. During the summer of 2013, Drake University made me an honorary adjunct instructor of pharmacy to recognize my work with pharmacy students.
My pregnancy with our first daughter, Gabriella, in the spring of 2005 inspired me to learn about surrogacy. Even while pregnant, I could sense the incredible change and wonder she would bring to our lives. I knew that it would be amazing to be able to bring this type of joy to parents unable to carry a pregnancy. Navigating gestational surrogacy was a bit scary, but exciting at the same time. I learned from my research that an agency could make my journey much easier and would take care of all the logistical details. I have now been a gestational carrier three times. I delivered Baby J in the spring of 2009 and Baby S in the spring of 2012. In between those two births, I had identical twins Ruth and Lola in the spring of 2010, completing our family. Our three girls are the loves of our lives and make every day exciting. Finally, I delivered twin boys F and J in the fall of 2015.
It is through the amazing experience of being a three-time gestational carrier, prospering as a nurse in reproductive healthcare, and having the support of my family and friends that I decided to open the first surrogacy agency in Iowa.
I am so inspired by the love, sacrifice, and dedication that our clients pour into their journeys. I feel privileged to serve these amazing people and to be in a team that makes dreams a reality.
Monica Villa
vice president and co-foundeR
She/Her
I grew up in Houston, Texas and completed my undergraduate studies in Iowa. I obtained a BA in English from Grinnell College in 2004 and a BA in chemistry from Simpson College in 2005. After completing a Masters in chemistry at the University of Texas at Austin in 2010, I moved to Portland, OR and started a freelance career in science communication.
I met Brie, our agency president, while working for a large women’s healthcare organization in Des Moines during my college years. I admired her dedication as a surrogate and was excited by her dream to represent Iowans in their surrogacy journeys. We started Heartland Surrogacy as an Iowa-based company in 2013, quickly expanding our professional network and opening our satellite office in Portland, OR in 2016. As a small business owner, I love managing the agency while being directly involved in the journeys of our clients.
My husband Eric and I are lucky to know the joys of pregnancy and parenthood. Our daughter, Lilia, was born in 2013 and our son, West, was born in 2017. We enjoy hiking, camping, and traveling as a family. I like to stay active through running and yoga, and I enjoy contributing to my community through various volunteer activities.
Surrogacy holds a profound personal significance for me, embodying the joy of facilitating families’ dreams! I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to support even more families in the future.
amber deming
Program coordinator
she/her
My passion for surrogacy has been the center of my world for the past decade, along with raising a family of my own. I have been a gestational surrogate twice myself (including giving birth to the first baby in the state of Montana with two dads listed on the birth certificate!). Driven by my passion for supporting families, I pursued a certification as a lactation educator and postpartum doula, further enhancing my ability to provide comprehensive care!
I have 3 kids of my own: Ella, Gordon, and Harold. My husband Jordan is a musician, so we spend a lot of time at live music events. It is one of my favorite activities! We live in Bozeman, MT, where we take advantage of all the amazing outdoor opportunities the mountains have to offer. I am at my happiest when I’m amongst the wildflowers in the mountains!
Being a Case Manager for surrogates and intended parents is truly my dream job. I am thrilled to be a part of the Heartland Surrogacy team and get the opportunity to help build beautiful families.
kelsie vanveen
case manager
she/her
I grew up in Northern California and currently reside in Fort Collins, Colorado with my husband, our two young children and our two dogs. I earned my Masters degree from Colorado State University in Human Resources Management. I have experience in leadership and banking. I enjoy being in the mountains regardless of the weather. I love to read, binge-watch TV shows, and spend time with my family. After having our second child in 2021, I was presented the opportunity to stay home with them. During the last few years at home, I have had time to discover my true passions and what is important in life. Surrogacy quickly became something very meaningful to me. I am currently on my first journey as a surrogate and love that I get to connect with other surrogates and intended parents daily at Heartland Surrogacy.
I love that I get to walk alongside the beautiful journey of Surrogacy with our amazing intended parents and gestational surrogates. It is such a privilege to witness and support this incredible process as it brings dreams to life. It is a journey that requires an incredible amount of trust, compassion, and support from everyone involved. As a Case Manager, I am constantly inspired by the strength and resilience of everyone involved.
kadie huffman
case manager
she/her
I was raised in Overland Park, Kansas, and I have a deep love for my hometown. However, a new chapter began for my family in 2021, when we decided to relocate to Des Moines, Iowa. I have been blessed with a loving husband and three beautiful children, Bryant, Myla, and Mia.
Professionally, my previous career revolved around pediatric dental hygiene, and I had the opportunity to work in patient care for 11 years. It was an experience that brought immense fulfillment and happiness into my life.
It was through family friends that I discovered the world of surrogacy. Witnessing their journey as intended parents and then seeing them as parents to their beautiful daughter sparked an aspiration within me. I remember seeing a picture of them with their gestational carrier in the hospital and thought to myself, “I could do that!” And so, my journey into the surrogacy world began.
In 2019, I embarked on my first experience as a gestational carrier. It was an incredibly rewarding experience, and witnessing the parents’ joy was a testament to the incredible bond that can be created through surrogacy. Their happiness served as the driving force behind my decision to carry another child for them in 2022.
Now, armed with firsthand experience and knowledge, I have dedicated myself to becoming a professional in the surrogacy world. I firmly believe that my experience as a gestational carrier has provided me with a unique perspective and ability to empathize with intended parents and surrogates alike. It is my mission to guide and support individuals as they embark on their surrogacy journey, ensuring a safe and secure experience for everyone involved.