The 10 Most Admired Women in Business, 2024

Staci Swiderski: Trailblazing in Reproductive Medicine with Compassion and Happiness

Renowned as a driving force in the field of reproductive medicine since 2002, Staci Swiderski is the founder, CEO and owner of Family Source Consultants. With unwavering dedication, Staci has propelled her agency to the forefront of comprehensive egg donation and gestational surrogacy services, earning global recognition as a leader in third-party reproduction. 

Staci’s journey in reproductive medicine is deeply personal. As a former intended parent herself, she and her husband welcomed their son via gestational surrogacy in 2005, experiencing firsthand the transformative power of assisted reproduction. Additionally, Staci has played a pivotal role in helping an infertile couple, known as Recipient Parents, build their family by serving as an egg donor. Her selfless donation has resulted in the births of their son and daughter, further cementing her commitment to facilitating the dreams of aspiring parents. 

Through her agency, Staci combines her personal experiences with her professional expertise to provide compassionate and comprehensive support to individuals and couples navigating the complexities of third-party reproduction. Her unwavering advocacy for intended parents, donors, and surrogates alike reflects her deep understanding of the emotional and logistical challenges inherent in the journey to parenthood. 

Staci’s impact extends far beyond the confines of her agency, as she continues to advocate for greater awareness and acceptance of third-party reproduction. Her dedication to ensuring access to safe, ethical, and inclusive reproductive options has earned her widespread respect and admiration within the field. 

As one follows, Staci’s journey is a testament to the profound impact of compassion, empathy, and expertise in the realm of reproductive medicine. As she continues to champion the rights and aspirations of intended parents and donors alike, her legacy of empowerment and hope will endure for generations to come. 

The Power of Mentorship 

Staci credits a pivotal professional experience to seeking guidance from a proficient mentor who significantly enriched her business mindset, proving transformative in her role as CEO. She highly recommends this mentorship approach to anyone in a leadership or managerial position. Moreover, amidst the continued growth of her company within the reproductive services field, Staci identified a crucial moment towards the end of 2021 to enhance overall performance and profitability through strategic realignment and service updates. 

In response, the company introduced additional package options for clients, implemented a new CRM software system, and reorganized administration, fostering professional growth opportunities within the organization. This meticulously planned restructuring resulted in streamlined processes, enhanced 

company efficiency, and improved team dynamics and morale. By proactively addressing evolving needs, optimizing operations, and positioning FSC for sustained success in a changing business landscape, the management restructuring during this significant growth period proved instrumental. 

Compassion and Empathy in Action 

Driven by her own family-building journey culminating in the birth of her son through gestational surrogacy in 2005, Staci was inspired to offer guidance and support to others navigating similar paths. Grateful for the selfless surrogate who helped complete her family, Staci embarked on a mission to assist other women considering surrogacy or egg donation. With a commitment to compassion, empathy, and individualized care, Family Source Consultants (FSC) ensures that every intended parent, surrogate, and egg donor receives top-notch professionalism and quality service. 

FSC’s evolution reflects a dedication to remaining at the forefront of advancements in reproductive medicine while upholding ethical standards and providing comprehensive support. Since 2007, FSC has grown into a leading international surrogacy and egg donation organization, steadfast in its commitment to facilitating fulfilling journeys to parenthood. Through education and awareness efforts, FSC actively contributes to the understanding and acceptance of assisted reproductive technologies, further solidifying its role as a trusted resource in the field. 

Globalization and Legal Reforms 

Staci observes significant evolution in the surrogacy and egg donation landscape since 2007, characterized by globalization, legal reforms, technological progress, enhanced acceptance, inclusivity, and improved access to care. Reproductive medicine has witnessed notable advancements over nearly two decades, with refined in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques, genetic testing, and embryo selection technologies leading to increased success rates and healthier outcomes in surrogacy arrangements. Additionally, there’s a growing emphasis on transparency and open communication throughout third-party reproduction, a value that Staci and her team prioritize and uphold daily. These developments signify a positive shift towards more informed and supportive reproductive journeys, reflecting the evolving needs and preferences of intended parents, surrogates, and egg donors alike. 

Advice on Choosing the Right Partners 

Staci emphasizes the importance of diligence in selecting your reproductive “team” or “partners,” including the fertility center, agency, and attorney. Trusting in their guidance and expertise is crucial. Staci’s team comprises individuals with expertise, firsthand experience, empathy, and a supportive approach. She advises intending parents to have faith and persevere, as the day will come when they hold their beautiful miracle. Staci’s message is clear: do not give up, and trust in the process and the team supporting you along the way. 

Team Dynamics 

Staci emphasizes that Family Source Consultants approaches every individual who chooses their agency with trust and confidence. They prioritize honesty, openness, compassion, and ethical practices in all interactions. Core values such as communication, support, and personalized attention ensure a positive and fulfilling experience for everyone involved. With a substantial team dynamic, Family Source Consultants can support the interests and needs of all parties involved in the reproductive journey. 

Despite the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) in various fields, Family Source Consultants remains committed to maintaining their humanity and personal connection with every client. They understand the importance of human touch and personalized care in such intimate and important matters, ensuring that each individual receives the support and attention they deserve throughout the process. 

Vow to Integrity in Reproductive Medicine 

Staci acknowledges the emotional challenges faced by intended parents as they navigate the process of family building through reproductive medicine. Drawing from personal experience and a deep understanding of these struggles, Staci believes she possesses a heightened sense of empathy for those grappling with the decision to trust a stranger with such a delicate and precious journey. Additionally, Staci is a staunch advocate for ethical practices within the reproductive medicine community and her agency. This commitment includes ensuring fair compensation for surrogates and egg donors while maintaining affordability for intended parents, adhering to legal and medical standards, and upholding overall ethical conduct. Staci believes that providing comprehensive support is essential to assist donors, surrogates, and intended parents throughout their respective journeys, ensuring they feel empowered, informed, and cared for every step of the way. 

Embedding Values  

Staci emphasizes that Family Source Consultants’ leadership team leads by example, ensuring consistency in implementing the agency’s vision, mission, and overall direction across all departments. By demonstrating transparency, empathy, and ethical conduct in their actions, the leadership team sets a strong example for employees to follow. To further embed the agency’s values within the organizational culture, regular communication of the mission is prioritized through orientation sessions for new employees and periodic meetings to reinforce core values. 

Additionally, Family Source Consultants is committed to ongoing education in industry-related topics, collaborating with experts in the family-building space such as fertility doctors, attorneys, escrow managers, and insurance specialists. This commitment to continuous learning ensures that staff members are equipped with the latest knowledge and insights to better serve clients. 

Family Source Consultants fosters a culture of feedback and idea sharing among employees, encouraging an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute. This collaborative approach ensures that each program within the agency understands, embraces, and actively contributes to the overarching goals and values of Family Source Consultants. 

Ethical Practices and Inclusivity 

Staci underlines that third-party reproduction faces nationwide challenges, and any changes to reproductive rights that add barriers to family building or restrict access affect everyone within the industry. To stay informed and advocate for the rights of intended parents, surrogates, and egg donors, Family Source Consultants remains actively engaged with organizations such as the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and Resolve, The National Infertility Association. 

By maintaining close ties with these organizations, Family Source Consultants ensures they remain current with industry challenges and can actively support initiatives aimed at removing barriers to family building for all individuals. This commitment reflects their dedication to promoting inclusivity, accessibility, and ethical practices within the reproductive medicine community. 

The Profound Impact  

Staci’s dedication to supporting individuals and couples on their family-building journey is rooted in a simple yet profound mission: to spread awareness and advocate for those longing to become parents or expand their families. At Family Source Consultants, they are reminded daily of the realistic and positive outcomes of IVF and third-party reproduction. Whether it’s witnessing a birth at the agency, receiving updates from families about their newborns, or receiving heartfelt testimonials from surrogates, donors, or parents, these experiences serve as constant reminders of the meaningful impact they have. Staci believes that their work is more than just a job – it’s about bringing dreams and miracles together, making a profound difference in the lives of others. 

Empowering Hopeful Parents 

At Family Source Consultants, Staci and the team see themselves as pioneers in creating family-building experiences that go beyond conventional norms. Guided by innovation, compassion, and a firm commitment to the aspirations of hopeful parents, their vision encompasses making surrogacy and egg donation more accessible and affordable. 

Family Source Consultants aspires to explore innovative financial models, partnerships, and support structures aimed at reducing barriers and expanding access to those facing financial hardships. By actively seeking out new approaches and collaborations, they aim to ensure that everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, has the opportunity to pursue their dream of building a family.