About — Fertility Link

ABOUT US

Meet Andrea Hanson and Alexandra Slate, the co-founders behind Fertility Link, where passion meets expertise in guiding individuals through the journey of third-party reproduction in Canada. As former Intended Parents themselves, Andrea and Alexandra understand the complexities and stresses involved in navigating this path to parenthood. Driven by their own experiences, they are dedicated to simplifying the process and providing support to those seeking to build their families through third-party reproduction. With a wealth of knowledge and a shared commitment to excellence, Andrea and Alexandra are here to empower and assist you every step of the way. Let Fertility Link be your trusted partner on the sometimes winding road to parenthood.

Andrea Hanson

Andrea Hanson, a professional in the healthcare field, provides consulting services to individuals seeking third-party reproduction in Ontario. She empowers her clients by offering education, autonomy, and confidence to navigate the complexities of third-party reproduction, whether it involves sperm donation, egg donation, embryo donation, surrogacy, or a combination of these options. Andrea simplifies the overwhelming information landscape for her clients, ensuring they feel equipped to make informed decisions on their path to parenthood.

Drawing from her decade-long journey through infertility, Andrea deeply empathizes with her clients, forging personal connections built on understanding. She recognizes the value of upfront knowledge in third-party reproduction, knowing it can streamline her clients' path to parenthood. Proudly fostering compassionate bonds with those she assists, Andrea embraces the diverse ways families are formed, ensuring inclusivity in her approach to family building.

Academically, Andrea has an undergraduate degree in Honours Specialization Biology from the University of Western Ontario and a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Queen’s University. She is also a member in good standing with the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society and The College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario. Along with being a co-founder of Fertility Link Andrea has practiced as an Occupational Therapist in the Ontario healthcare system for over ten years. With over two decades of experience in her career as a whole, she has made significant contributions to the healthcare sector in diverse roles and capacities.

Andrea is a passionate advocate for those going through fertility challenges and has been featured on The Fertility Matters Canada podcast ‘Fertility in Focus’ and The Globe and Mail’s podcast ‘Stress Test’.

In her personal life, Andrea has triumphed over a multitude of obstacles en route to parenthood. She navigated through primary and secondary infertility, a genetic diagnosis, recurrent pregnancy loss, late-term pregnancy loss, implantation failure, IVF, egg donation, attempted traditional surrogacy, and endometriosis. Reflecting on her experiences, Andrea acknowledges the need for more informed and practical guidance during those challenging times. With unwavering support from her husband and the wonders of science, she successfully carried her daughter to term. Although experiencing multiple failed transfers with her surrogate, they have forged a unique and profound bond not only together but with their extended family members, which is a testament to resilience and enduring friendship. When she's not devoted to her daughter or assisting others with their occupational therapy goals, Andrea finds solace in nature and shares a deep affection for animals.

Alexandra Slate

Alexandra Slate is a multifaceted professional with a diverse background spanning entrepreneurship, real estate, life coaching, and advocacy in the realm of third-party reproduction. With over fifteen years of experience as a business owner (running two successful companies) Alexandra has a deep understanding of client needs and business management.

Passionate about reproductive health and family building, Alexandra is a vocal advocate for infertility awareness and support. Her personal journey as a recurrent pregnancy loss survivor and infertility warrior fuels her dedication to providing guidance and empathy to those navigating similar experiences. As a third-party reproduction consultant and Certified Professional Life Coach, she offers invaluable insights and support to individuals and partners exploring alternative paths to parenthood.

Alexandra's advocacy work extends to platforms such as La Leche League Canada and Fertility Rally, where she shares her expertise and lived experiences to empower and educate others. Her influence reaches even further through her appearances on numerous podcasts (Fab Fertility, Infertile AF Stories, The Mama Sisterhood, Me Myself and Mille, The Oasis Fertility Podcast and more) and publication of articles (Rescripted, Mommy Connections) where she shares her journey, insights, and expertise on topics ranging from infertility to parenthood.

Alexandra grew her family through assisted reproduction technology and third-party reproduction. After seven years of infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, multiple rounds of IVF and extensive fertility interventions, Alexandra and her husband found new hope in moving towards growing their family through surrogacy. They were extremely lucky to be able to finally grow their family with the help of their amazing surrogate, Trish. Alexandra was also eventually able to have a successful pregnancy herself with the help of supportive medications and treatments. She now has two boys who were born seven weeks apart. She lovingly refers to them as her ‘twiblings’.

Driven by a deep-seated desire to support others on their journeys to parenthood and beyond, Alexandra continues to inspire, educate, and advocate for change within the realm of reproductive health and family building. Working with Alexandra is a truly unique and comforting experience; it's akin to collaborating with a close friend who genuinely understands the intricacies of the fertility journey. Alexandra's warm demeanour, coupled with her wealth of knowledge, creates a safe space for individuals and couples navigating the challenges of third-party reproduction. Whether providing strategic insights, sharing personal anecdotes, or offering a compassionate ear, Alexandra is more than a consultant – she is a trusted ally on the path to building families and realizing dreams.