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Fertility challenges are hard — access to care shouldn’t be.

Conceivable Dreams is a grassroots advocacy organization supporting current and future families. We work to build awareness about fertility and reproductive health issues, and empower patients to address their fertility challenges head-on. We act as patient advocates for individuals and couples from the early steps of their journeys like fertility baseline testing all the way through to fertility treatments like IUI and IVF.

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What we do

  • Educate government, stakeholders, and patients to improve policies and procedures for people who want a family.
  • Liaise with partner organizations across Canada to improve public funding.
  • Improve employer benefits and expanding insurance coverage
  • Build awareness to reduce the stigma associated with infertility
  • Seek diverse and inclusive patient perspectives and experiences to guide our work.

The effects of infertility are far reaching.  While you may not see these significant effects directly, that does not mean they are not making huge waves, creating rippling effects from mental and physical health to home, relationship, and work life. Supporting those experiencing  infertility and those who require assisted fertility services is crucial for the health of our citizens and the overall well-being of our society.

We have always been reliant on our board and patient members who volunteer their time, services, and resources.

Help us continue the fight for better access to fertility care by donating today.

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Our Board

Our board is always looking to expand and allow for new talent. If you are interested in volunteering your time as a Conceivable Dreams board member, please fill in this form.

Zane Colt

Zane Colt

Board Chair

As a keen relationship-builder, Zane lives and breathes political outreach and fertility advocacy. Having spent years working at Queen’s Park, he now works in government relations for one of Canada’s largest health care organizations.

Together with his wife Baden, they launched the blog Not My Tummy (But I’m Still Mummy!) in 2021 to chronicle their journey building a family with the help of a gestational surrogate. Their daughter Scottie was born in July, 2023 and they are in the midst of a sibling journey. For his work in advocating for equitable parental leave, and ensuring Canada’s latest Time-to-Attach legislation included parents by surrogacy, Zane was named Fertility Matters Canada’s 2023 Changemaker of the Year.

Zane has an undergraduate degree from Carleton University’s Arthur Kroeger College of Public Affairs and a masters in Global Diplomacy from the School of Oriental and African Studies in the UK.

Renee Higgins

Renee Higgins

Board Member

Renee is a Director of Data and Analytics within municipal government with a professional background in information technology.

Following a personal diagnosis of infertility, she launched the Instagram account @the.baby.plan to share her experience, increase public awareness and advocate for improved access to fertility care across Ontario.

Motivated by a deep commitment to patient advocacy, Renee joined the Board of Directors of Conceivable Dreams in 2023, where she represents Northern Ontario. She resides in Greater Sudbury.

Briana Maguire

Briana Maguire

Board Member

Briana is a corporate/commercial lawyer working in the pharmaceutical and life sciences space. Her practice mainly focuses on health law, regulatory licensing, and corporate governance. Before embarking on her legal career, Briana served as a Policy Advisor to Ontario's Minister of Health, where she played a pivotal role in overseeing key portfolios such as OHIP, independent health facilities, and laboratories/genetics. Briana is deeply passionate about fertility and surrogacy law and is a dedicated advocate for expanding insurance coverage for individuals and families seeking assisted reproductive technologies.

Alex Hilkene

Alex Hilkene

Board Member

Alex is a communications and government relations consultant at EnterpriseHealth, with a strong grasp of Ontario’s health care system and the provincial political landscape.  Prior to joining the team at EnterpriseHealth, Alex was press secretary to Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic and was responsible for communicating complex and high-stakes issues to the media and people of Ontario.  Alex is passionate about leveraging her skillset to raise awareness about fertility issues and working collaboratively with governments to improve fertility care in Canada.

Lisa Cancian

Lisa Cancian

Board Member

Lisa is a Toronto-based communications professional with 17 years of experience in health communications. Passionate, creative, and strategic, she has developed extensive expertise in condition awareness, working with a wide range of healthcare clients across various conditions. Lisa has also worked in government, where she helped communicate new programs for children and youth with autism and their families.

Her drive is rooted in the belief that awareness is key to supporting the patient community. Lisa is passionate about patient advocacy, condition awareness, education, and fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders. Her background in print and broadcast journalism enhances her ability to use the human voice in her storytelling.

Lisa’s personal experience with fertility challenges has deeply influenced her professional journey. She understands firsthand the critical role of support and advocacy, and her career in health communications, coupled with her own fertility experience, fuels her dedication to supporting the community. Lisa is committed to making a positive impact for Canadians who deserve the resources and support needed to grow their families.

Dr. Victoria Purcell Evens

Dr. Victoria Purcell Evens

Board Member

Dr. Victoria Purcell Evens is a Clinical Psychologist based in Toronto with a strong dedication to mental health advocacy. Throughout her career, she has focused on supporting children, adolescents, and families. Having navigated the complexities of fertility treatment personally, she understands the emotional, physical, and financial challenges it presents to individuals and intended parents.

Driven by her own experience with infertility, Victoria advocates for patient-centered, accessible fertility care where individuals feel informed, supported, and empowered throughout their journey. Her personal and professional experiences align to fuel her commitment to improving the fertility treatment process for others.

Sabrina De Lellis

Sabrina De Lellis

Board Member

Sabrina is an advocate for infertility awareness and support with extensive experience in the health sector since 2019. She has worked in clinical trials, honing her expertise in the medical field. As an infertility patient herself, Sabrina uses her personal journey to raise her voice for change and improve the experience for others facing similar challenges.

In addition to her professional work, Sabrina hosts the podcast Infertility and Beyond, where she provides support, guidance, and real-life stories to those navigating infertility. She has previously lead support groups for women experiencing infertility, offering a safe space for connection, encouragement, and empowerment. Sabrina is dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the infertility community and helping others feel seen, heard, and supported throughout their journey.

Dr Laine Halpern Zisman

Dr Laine Halpern Zisman

Board Member

Laine Halpern Zisman, PhD, is the author of Conceivable: A Guide to Making 2SLGBTQ+ Families (2024, Fernwood Publishing), a book focused on queer and transgender family building in the Canadian context. Laine is a certified fertility support practitioner and full-spectrum doula, assisting individuals through all stages of their perinatal journeys. She is also an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Victoria's School of Public Health and Social Policy and teaches sexual diversity studies at the University of Toronto.

Laine offers fertility support through Birth Mark and is the founder and project lead of 2SLGBTQ+ Family Building Canada (familybuildingcanada.com). Her work and research center on creating accessible and inclusive fertility resources for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Advisory Committee

Dr. Kimberly Liu

Dr. Kimberly Liu

Clinician Advisor

Dr. Kimberly Liu an infertility specialist practicing at Mount Sinai Fertility in Toronto, Ontario. She completed residency training at the University of Alberta in Ob/Gyn and a fellowship in REI at the University of Toronto. Dr. Liu also holds a Masters in Studies in Law (MSL).  Dr. Liu is currently an Assistant Professor at the University Of Toronto Department Of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Program Director for the U of T Gynecologic Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (GREI) Fellowship Program. She is the author of numerous research publications and several national guidelines for fertility and ART practice in Canada.

Dr. Meivys Garcia

Dr. Meivys Garcia

Clinician Advisor

Dr. Meivys Garcia has been a fertility specialist since 2011. She is the medical director and senior partner of renowned fertility clinic, Markham Fertility.

Dr. Garcia did a 5-year sub-specialty training at the University of Western Ontario. This led her to pursue a two-year Royal College Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. 

Her main interests are in unexplained infertility, immunological disorders leading to subfertility and fertility-preservation treatment.

Most recently, Dr Garcia was elected to the Board of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) where she will play a part in shaping the future of assisted reproduction in Canada. She is on the advisory board of Fertility Friends Foundation and Conceivable Dreams.

She is the co-host of popular show my Fertility Podcast, where she brings information to the public about all aspects of reproductive care. 

When not at the office, you can find Dr. Garcia at home with her boys and her dog, either curled up with a book, journaling or sweating and singing at the top of her lungs on her peloton bike.

Eileen McMahon, RN(EC), MN, PNC(C)

Eileen McMahon, RN(EC), MN, PNC(C)

Clinician Advisor

Eileen McMahon is a Nurse Practitioner at Hannam Fertility Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Eileen graduated from the University of Toronto with a baccalaureate and Master’s degree in Nursing as well as a post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Diploma.  She holds a Clinical Appointment as an Adjunct Lecturer in the Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, holds specialty certification in Perinatal Nursing from the Canadian Nurses Association, and is a certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. 

Eileen served on the Canadian Fertility & Andrology Society Board of Directors from 2016-2021 and was their first nurse President from September 2019 to September 2020.  

 Eileen has dedicated herself to identifying best practices for the delivery of outstanding healthcare in an empathetic and inclusive manner. She has a particular interest in fertility preservation.

Founders/Founding Clinical Advisor

Joanne Horibe
Joanne Horibe
Kerri Stanford
Kerri Stanford
Ashley Bulley
Ashley Bulley
Art Leader
Dr Arthur Leader

Conceivable Dreams History

2009
2009
2010-2012
2013
2014
2015
2019
2020
2021
2023
2009

Conceivable Dreams is created by a group of dedicated volunteers.

2009

The Ontario Expert Panel on Infertility and Adoption releases its recommendations for improving assisted reproductive services. Download Report.

2010-2012

Raise awareness through advocacy events, government meetings, and media.

2013

Host the first in person patient picnic.

2014

The Ontario Government announces it will earmark $50M for funded IVF.

2015

The Ontario Fertility Program is live.

2019

The Board hosts a reception at Queens Park to introduce the new government to the program.

2020

Launch COVID-19 response to support treatment for Ontario patients.

2021

Launch Fertility Benefits Matter to improve employee benefits and insurance.

2023

Conduct the first survey of the Ontario Fertility Program and call on government for increased support for Ontario’s patients.

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