Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Managing Director

Denise Steele

Hope Surrogacy, Inc.
Chicago,IL
Denise Steele
8
years of professional experience

Sales and business management leader known for transparent execution, industry expertise, and ethical business practices. Builds trust with internal and external partners to drive profitable outcomes. Leads strategies focused on long-term value creation.

Work History

Managing Director

10 Months
Hope Surrogacy, Inc. | Madison, WI | 01.2026 - Current
  • Lead a boutique surrogacy agency that matches 25 rigorously screened surrogates per year with intended parents unable to carry a pregnancy for medical reasons, maintaining a rematch rate below 1% and nearly $1.3 million in annual gross billings.
  • Oversee four executives responsible for sales, finance, operations, vendor relationships, and compliance, ensuring safe, secure matches with the goal of a healthy delivery for each journey.
  • Build and expand partnerships with fertility clinics and specialized third-party fertility vendors, including insurance brokerages, escrow and medical claims providers, AAAA and ABA attorneys, and technology platforms.
  • Provide information, support, guidance, protection, and equal advocacy for intended parents and surrogates to ensure safe, secure outcomes for all involved.

Director of Business Development

2 Years 6 Months
ART Risk Solutions | Chicago, Illinois | 07.2023 - 01.2026
  • Led B2B sales strategy for specialized insurance solutions, generating over
    $2 million in gross revenue for new business while protecting fertility clinics, matching agencies, and families from catastrophic financial risks during surrogacy and donor cycles.
  • Developed insurance solutions ensuring compliance with contractual requirements for intended parents, surrogates, and matching agencies.
  • Customized malpractice, E&O, and specialized complication insurance for third-party fertility services, safeguarding reproductive endocrinologists, matching programs, and vendors.
  • Coached insurance brokers and operations teams to explain complex coverage options and help clients understand the risks of coverage gaps.

Director of Business Development

4 Years 6 Months
SeedTrust Escrow & Orchid Software Solutions | Chicago, Illinois | 02.2019 - 08.2023
  • Collaborated with CEO across both organizations to align strategic initiatives and drive growth.
  • Accelerated market penetration of a new B2B escrow offering to 60% by onboarding 300 clients in three years equating in $45 Million in gross revenue.
  • Led team of third-party fertility professionals to expand sales, achieving 90% market share in competitive landscape.
  • Drove the sales launch of HIPAA-compliant workflow software for donor and surrogacy agencies managing complex, high-touch processes, achieving 20% market penetration during COVID-19.
  • Established recognition as thought leader in third-party fertility, leveraging professional network and industry expertise to advance global standards.
  • Adapted strategies during COVID-19 amid clinic closures, agency revenue challenges, and uncertainty for intended parents navigating donor and surrogacy journeys.

Education

University of Kansas | Lawrence, KS

Piedmont Virginia Community College | Charlottesville, VA

Skills

Surrogacy compliance
Contract negotiation
Business development
Decision making
Market expansion
Strategic partnerships
Partnership development
Operational oversight
Client relationship management
Team leadership
Data collection and analysis
Critical thinking
Client relationship Management
Conflict resolution
Relationship building
Partnership development

Timeline

Managing Director

Hope Surrogacy, Inc.
01.2026 - CurrentRead More

Director of Business Development

ART Risk Solutions
07.2023 - 01.2026Read More

Director of Business Development

SeedTrust Escrow & Orchid Software Solutions
02.2019 - 08.2023Read More

University of Kansas

Read More

Piedmont Virginia Community College

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Denise Steele