Women We Admire is a community filled with incredible women leaders and professionals who have all found success in their respective fields. Many of them are also amazing working mothers who have shown that motherhood is not a barrier to professional growth, but rather a strength and motivating force behind their success. Each member of our community brings a unique perspective and expertise to the table, and we are proud to showcase their accomplishments. In this year's Mother's Day Campaign, we will hear from our members about what they find to be the most rewarding part of being a working mother.
Cynthia Savard Saucier
VP UX, Shopify
Industry: Technology
“Nurturing an identity outside of motherhood, based on my competencies and skills. Developing relationships inside and outside of the parenting circle. Discussing my individual need for self actualization with my kids.”
Marion Hill
Senior Vice President, Renewables and Power Grids, DNV
Industry: Energy
“Bringing inclusive and empowering female leadership into organizations will allow my 3 daughters to have better opportunities to be leaders themselves in whatever field they choose to work.”
Kelly Close
Founder, Close Concerns and The diaTribe Foundation
Industry: Healthcare
“Being able to show our kids that you can have it all, just not all at the same time. This is often said and so true. Showing our kids that pain, angst and grief are part of life has been so key for me. It’s all about relationships, who you get to share all this with, good and bad, is what matters.”
Anderson Butcher
Executive Director and Professor, The Ohio State University
Industry: Education
“Being a role model to my two sons. They see every day how roles and responsibilities are shared by my husband and I, as well as learn from both of us how to navigate work and life together. Two things give me the most joy are being a mom and making a difference for young people through my work. I'm better at each of these because of the other.”
Michelle Martinez Reyes
Regional Director of Marketing, Americas, DLA Piper
Industry: Legal
“Being a working mother allows me to set an example of a head of household for my son, that can be a good parent, regardless of gender, as well as responsible for all aspects of our life, being a sole parent with sole custody and no child support for over 17 years.
Parenting is the most challenging role I have ever undertaken. You have to be ready to accept and process and handle chapters you yourself never undertook. It’s a role no one should pass up! Your greatest teacher and growth is through the role of mother.”
Bukkie Adewuyi
Vice President, Finance and Business Intelligence, Prospera Credit Union
Industry: Financial Services
“The inspiration that it provides to my girl-children. That you can have a career and have a family, in spite of all odds that could be in your way. I am able to show them that it is possible to interweave these differing areas of your life, multiple commitments and still come out fulfilled on all sides.
I would love to encourage all young working mothers out there. It is not easy, especially in the early years of motherhood, to make a decision on whether to keep working or take a break to provide full care for the kids. Regardless of what society thinks, whatever decision you make must be best for you and your family, both in the short and long run.”
Van Ton-Quinlivan
CEO, Futuro Health
Industry: Healthcare, Education
“I have my impact on the world and also enjoy my family. A working mother’s tip: My husband and I both work and travel for work but, we minimized the number of nights away and tried to always have one parent home with the kids. This usually meant 24 hour trips to attend meetings - fly in and out. That worked for our family.”
Laura Gilchrist
VP Innovation Accelerated Industries, Salesforce
Industry: Technology
“Being a mother to a toddler enables me to really tap into being more human centered. It's a wonderful thing to have the opportunity to look at the world through the eyes of a child and share in the curiosity, wonder and silliness. As an innovator and people leader, my son is constantly inspiring me to consider challenges from different perspectives.”
Maria A. Harrison
President, Bullseye Strategy
Industry: Education, Marketing and Advertising
“The most rewarding aspects have been staying current since I work in digital marketing and media. I'm very in touch with the latest trends and I feel like this allows me to be more relatable to my teenage children. The other rewarding aspect is that I can open doors for them that might not have otherwise been opened through my own professional and philanthropic networks. It's their job to step through those doors and make the most of those opportunities, but it's a rewarding feeling to know that I can tee them up for success in life.”
Pratiksha Nirmale
Global Director of Data Engineering & BI, CircleK
Industry: Retail & Fuels
“I am able to have a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction through my work, which helps me be a good role model for my kids. It has helped me bring up more independent kids. They are more respectful towards me and other women. There is a shared responsibility in the household chores. I have 2 boys and the fact that we all contribute to our household responsibilities whether it be cooking, cleaning, etc., these activities for my boys are now gender neutral.”
Deanna Schiavone
SVP & Chief Financial Officer - Specialty Hospitals, ScionHealth
Industry: Healthcare
“Being a positive role model for my daughters, ensuring they know balance is achievable.”
Dr. Kathryn Procope
Executive Director, Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science
Industry: Education
“When parents send their children to our school, they are trusting us to nurture them as we teach them. As a working mother, I take that responsibility seriously. I love watching and experiencing the growth and successes of the children in our school and being able to share those successes with their families.
A mother is a child's first teacher. As an educator, it is an honor and a privilege to be the teacher that a mother has chosen to further her child's education.”
Kelly Butler
Senior Vice President, HR and Chief Diversity Officer, Rackspace Technology
Industry: Technology
“I'm mindful that I get this opportunity to demonstrate for my daughter and her friends that you can be an active, engaged parent, and also be an engaged, impactful, successful leader. As a leader, I am transparent about responsibilities outside of work and when those take priority. My team knows I am a dedicated leader, and that I have a family too. My family knows they are always the top priority even when I sometimes have an urgent or important work project going on. Being a working parent has made me a better leader, and being a leader has made me a better parent. We have to be able to bring our whole selves to work to remain authentic, and have to manage our time and priorities for what works.
I take a short and long term view of both work and parenting to make the best choices on when, where and how to invest my time and energy. It's always a balance - even if it's not balanced on a given day!”
Hayley Guerra
Director of Franchisee Success, THE MAX Challenge
Industry: Franchising
“What's most rewarding about being a successful working mother, truly, is the fact that I have been able to give my children some of the things I secretly dreamed of as a kid. It's important to me that they develop a strong work ethic and understand the value of a dollar, and that things just don't come easy, but at the same time, I am proud that I've never had to think twice about signing them up for a sport or activity, sending them to daycare or camp. I'm able to do things for them that will help them now and into the future. I'm able to give them experiences that I never had. I'm able to make their home a place that's comfortable and safe. This is what drives me every single day.”
Rashmi Radhakrishnan
Vice President, IT/CIO, Arcadia University
Industry: Technology
“I am proud that my daughter has never questioned her ability to be a successful and independent woman. She is confident and ambitious about her future. I would like to think that seeing her moms have successful careers while balancing various demands of life and motherhood had a small part in her growing up to be a strong woman with an inspiring outlook on life.
I think it is important that women leaders go out of their way, when appropriate, to support and encourage other aspiring young leaders who are mothers. Even with all the changes and advancements, it is still hard to be an ambitious career woman and a mother at the same time. I am grateful that there were other women leaders who lifted me up when I needed support and encouragement. I try to do the same for others.”
Ashley Rath-Melton
Director of Business Solutions, Cushman & Wakefield
Industry: Technology
“I am happy to be able to show my daughters what can be accomplished when you work hard toward something. I love that my company allows flexibility in order to also be there for my kids when I need to be, whether that be appointments or school parties.”
Patty Keenan
Chief Talent Officer, Miller Electric Company
Industry: Technology
“The joy of watching my own three young adult children as well as so many other people's children learn and grow and create the workforce of the future, which in many ways will be better for humanity than ever before. My strong sense of hope that this next generation will help us create a better future.”
CJ Bachmann
CEO, 1SEO Digital Agency
Industry: Digital Marketing
“Showing my son and my daughter that it is important to have a good work ethic and that your work can make a difference in the lives of the people around you.
Too often women hold back or shy away from growing and building their careers. They allow people in their lives to make them feel "less than" when they put their careers front and center. I think it's important to remember that it's ok to not always be the mom on the soccer field and it is also ok to miss a work meeting to be that mom on the soccer field. You can have both a family and a blossoming career. Neither make you less.”
Norma Garcia-Muro
Vice President, Marketing, Kaleidescape
Industry: Technology, Entertainment Technology
“I am not a mom, but I am a working auntie. Because I mentor many young women, I feel a sense of responsibility to help shepherd their growth and lead by example. When they return with good news about overcoming a situation or getting a promotion, it brings me great joy. They are ‘doing it.’
Thank you to all those leaders who elevate others. One of my favorite quotes: ‘Forget about the fast lane. If you really want to fly, harness your power to your passion. Honor your calling. Everybody has one. Trust your heart, and success will come to you.’”
Laura Kalcevic
Vice President, CBRE and Cornell University
Industry: Financial Services
“I'm a single mother and being a role model for my daughter is the most important aspect. My daughter knows she is able to achieve anything, have whatever she wants, and do so all on her own. She doesn't know what gender roles are, nor will she ever comprehend gender inequity in the workplace.”
Laura Stireman
Regional Vice President, Sales & Distribution, WCF Insurance
Industry: Insurance
“The most rewarding aspect of being a working mother is setting an example for others coming into the insurance industry behind me. Setting a real-life example of work-life integration.”
Mary Pao
Chief Medical Officer, ANI Pharmaceuticals
Industry: Healthcare
“The best thing about being a working mom is that my kids see me achieving my dreams on a daily basis, while still being a completely engaged and present parent, and that just feels amazing as a role model. When we talk about how my work day went, they experience other facets of my personality that make me who I am, and they see how our family values of community and service are reflected in my everyday work as a Chief Medical Officer.
I also love that my kids understand how all of the years of hard work that I put into education, training and career development enabled me to get to where I am today, and has provided me with so many incredible and interesting opportunities throughout my lifetime. I was in school or training until I was 36 years old, so I tell them I went up to the 31st grade. It's hard to complain about middle school homework after that!”
Lauren Laimon
Senior Study Director, Westat
Industry: Clinical Trials
“Setting an example for my children that working hard will allow them to accomplish great things!
It is important to pay it forward in life and do good for others, always! This is why I also started a non-profit (www.4seasongivingtree.org) to help local disadvantaged families in our local area.”
Kristin Ferge
EVP/CFO, Capri Communities
Industry: Healthcare
“Being an example to my children that with hard work and prioritization they can have a successful career and family life. Work accolades are nice but knowing you raised wonderful children is the best reward a mother can get.”
Gail Stempel Dunnett
CEO, s t u d i o D
Industry: Home Staging & Design
“Being there for my kids as much as possible while modeling the ability to pursue my dreams and support myself and this give back.”
Debbie Kirschman
Senior Counsel, Taft, Stettinius & Hollister
Industry: Healthcare
“I feel a sense of independence and accomplishment in being value added at home and at work. Being a working mom comes with its share of challenges, but I wouldn't have it any other way.”
Jennifer Pangborn
Vice President & Director of Traffic, Safety, and ITS, Mobility Planner and Advocate, WSP USA
Industry: Engineering, Consulting
“Being a mother of three boys is my greatest accomplishment. The most rewarding aspect of being a successful working mother is seeing my boys recognize and respect and include and build up others based on the professionalism and advocacy work I display daily. They have empathy that I believes comes from seeing two working parents who have to communicate and work together and the glows and grows along that journey.
Being a working mom is rewarding and challenging - finding your tribe for support is vital. I couldn't be successful without my husband, boys, family, friends, and community.”
Menah Pratt
Vice President for Strategic Affairs and Diversity, Virginia Tech
Industry: Education
“Being a role model for my daughter and other women and girls in the world to show that it is possible to succeed in a career, even as a mother.
I wrote a book celebrating my own mother's journey from picking cotton in the 1930s to becoming a college professor called A Black Woman's Journey from Cotton Picking to College Professor: Lessons about Race, Class, and Gender in America. My mother, Mildred Pratt, is a role model for me and many of the communities she impacted as a community leader, professor, and founder of the Bloomington-Normal Black History Project, where she interviewed almost 100 elderly African-Americans about their experiences.”
Katie Moore
Managing Director, Head of Emerging & Diverse Investments, Hamilton Lane
Industry: Financial Services
“My career goals and motherhood are so strongly linked in proving to myself and my children that success is possible and the most rewarding part is having them benefit each other.”
Marilee Hutton Clark
Founder, Inkwell Collaborative
Industry: Sales Team Development
“Knowing that I and all of the other working businesswomen are building a greater tomorrow for our daughters.
There isn't anything I've done that has been more fulfilling in my life than being a mother. I have become a better person because of it. We lost my husband, my daughter's father when she was 6. It's been 12 years. When you are a single mm there are entirely different sacrifices that you make doing it alone. Grateful for the journey and the opportunity to help create a strong foundation by example both professionally and personally for my daughter.”
Dune Thorne
Chief Strategy Officer, Brown Advisory
Industry: Financial Services
“Recognizing that being an impactful leader helps shape the future world for our children and want to be actively engaged in doing everything I can for future generations in the office, in our communities and at home.
I learn so much everyday from my children and am so grateful for the journey we are together as a family!”
Kim MacMartin-Moglia
VP of Business Development, InterVenn Biosciences
Industry: Healthcare
“Seeing my kids both pursuing studies/careers in STEM. As a working mother there have always been challenges and some regrets, but overall I think I made the right choice. I am extremely appreciative of those who have supported me in balancing work/family responsibilities throughout my career.”
Martha McIver
Vice President, People, CBRE Limited
Industry: Commercial Real Estate
“Sharing my focus on lifelong learning, hard work, networking and development with my daughters. I hope they can appreciate the values and benefits of contributing to business growth.”
Ryan Kough
Assistant Professor of Integrated Media Arts, Juniata College
Industry: Education
“I am able to work in many fields on any given day. Being an educator, a nonprofit founder, a creative entrepreneur I am able to engage with many communities. My children are able to see and appreciate my work in the community through student film premiere nights, passing by the designed branding and signage for our local bed and breakfast, and while working at the community garden I oversee through ReInvision Huntingdon.”
Kristine Keane
Neuropsychologist and Founder, Shore Neuropsychology and Behavioral Health
Industry: Healthcare
“I find teaching my children the value of dedication, success, and a solid work ethic, while balancing self and family care to be the most rewarding aspect of being a working mom and neuropsychologist.”
Paula Bernstein
Vice President, Sales & Marketing, David Burke Hospitality Management
Industry: Hospitality
“Constantly challenging myself to be the best role model for my children. Always striving balance at home and professionally with unconditional love and support for my children while targeting goals and celebrating professional achievements.”
Dr. Simi Ranajee
Chief Executive Officer, IMISCO
Industry: Healthcare
“Being an example to my children. Show them you can dream big, be a life-long learner, and create your own destiny.
A working mother is redundant. Working is part of being a mother. However, we tend to divide ourselves among those that volunteer, work outside the home for money, and stay home to take care of our children. Although I never took a maternity break due to circumstances, I commend mothers that support their families in whatever ways are necessary.”
Poupak Afshar
Chief Executive Officer, Easy Dynamics
Industry: Technology
“As a successful working mother and CEO, I find fulfillment in being a role model for my children, demonstrating that it's possible to balance a fulfilling career and family life. Strong leadership, decision-making, communication, problem-solving, and nurturing growth are essential in both roles. By actively pursuing my career and personal aspirations, I hope to inspire my children to be hardworking, determined, empathetic, and resilient individuals. The values and skills they learn from observing me can have a lasting impact on their personal and professional development.
Another noteworthy aspect of being a successful working mother and CEO is the ability to prioritize self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance. This sets a positive example for children, teaching them the importance of taking care of their physical and emotional well-being while pursuing their goals. Additionally, working mothers often develop a strong support network, both professionally and personally, which can provide valuable resources, advice, and encouragement during challenging times. This demonstrates to children the significance of fostering meaningful relationships and seeking help when needed. Ultimately, being a successful working mother and CEO offers a unique opportunity to shape the next generation by exemplifying resilience, adaptability, and a well-rounded approach to life.”
Ramona Agrela
Chief Human Resources Officer and Vice Chancellor, University of California, Irvine
Industry: Healthcare, Education
“Being a working mom is hard, but by putting in the effort to excel at this role is an amazing example to set for your child. I have two young adult daughters. Because I work, they see that moms can do whatever they set their minds to, and that women are extremely capable and can have amazing careers and raise a family.
As a working mom, I fully embraced the limited time I have with my girls. When they were young, I was fully present during the time I had with them. I would find as many opportunities as I could to be with them - volunteering for field trips, staffing the ticket booth for their performances and being the chaperone for their sports teams. Even as adults, I continue to be fully present for my daughters.”
Renee White Fraser
CEO, Fraser Communications
Industry: Entrepreneurship
“Being able to share the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and mentoring others. As a working mom, I never have enough time, but when I am with my girls all problems disappear and we are able to do things that matter. My girls know that giving back is important so we volunteer together.”
Emma King
Chief People and Culture Officer, Envoy
Industry: Marketing and Advertising
“By modeling the values of hard work, dedication, and achievement, I strive to inspire my children to pursue their goals and dreams with passion and determination. As they observe me balancing work and family responsibilities, I hope to show them that it's possible to achieve success in both domains through a combination of perseverance, discipline, and prioritization. Ultimately, my goal is to instill in them a sense of confidence and resilience that will serve them well throughout their lives.”
Jennifer D'Angelo
Senior Vice President and General Manager, New Jersey Innovation Institute
Industry: Healthcare
“My professional success allows my children to see me as a positive role model, demonstrating the value of hard work, determination, and perseverance. My passion for my role as a mother and how I can manage my career, motherhood, and being a wife is important to me. Allowing my children to see my growth and success is also a great source of pride and joy.
I am absolutely blessed to be a mother to my children, wife to my husband, and successful leader in my industry. Managing all roles is very important to me - my family and the blessings that come from that are priceless. I love them dearly and watching them grow into young adults has been the most rewarding experience in life. Blessed!”
Divya Gugnani
Co-Founder & CEO, Founder, Wander Beauty, 5 SENS
Industry: Beauty & Fragrance
“Setting an example for my children that if you set your mind to anything you can achieve it. It's also incredibly rewarding to learn to be insanely efficient. Needing to balance home and work pushes you to an incredible level of efficiency.”
Sheryl Battles
VP, Global Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement, Pitney Bowes
Industry: Global Shipping & Mailing, Technology, Logistics
“I was named Mother of the Year by a local chapter of a national mother's/family organization several years ago, and it remains one of the awards that I am most proud of in my 30+ years of receiving numerous accolades. My rewards from being a successful working mother are personal and professional. My daughter gets a first-hand view of my joys, challenges and opportunities as I continue to grow into the best mom I can be, as well as grow into the best professional I can be. While at the same time, the work that I do affords me the privilege of making a difference in the lives of other working women and mothers. It has also deepened my empathy - for all working mothers and people in general. I always keep in mind that being a working mother takes work to successfully do both. I have increased my empathy for all people in general because irrespective of age, whoever I am interacting with is some mother's child and I try to treat them with the dignity and respect with which I want my daughter to be treated.
If children are our future, then mothers - as defined by birth or by caregiving - are the guardians of that future. I believe that few relationships have as much impact in helping shape individuals, cultures and values. Thus, the responsibility for mothering takes on new dimensions when women work requiring ongoing intentionality, coordination, and flexibility as we integrate life and work. And, as we continue to work toward a better today and tomorrow for all.”
Lauren Kolodrubetz
Executive Director of Marketplace Diversity Solutions, TEKsystems
Industry: Technology
“This is my first Mother's Day, and I couldn't be more excited. I was nervous to return to work after maternity leave, but what I found was that I have more purpose and fulfillment in my work. I feel that everything I do at work has a greater purpose because I know I am setting an example for my daughter. The most rewarding thing is being able to tie my work to a greater purpose - providing for her and setting an example.
I thought becoming a working mom would make work matter less to me. It did not. I love work just as much, but being a mom has made me appreciate things more. I am more focused in everything that I do, so I can be present in my time with my daughter. Don't hold back from work and life goals, you can make them work!”
Stephanie Bray
Chief of Staff to Global Channel Chief, Dell Technologies
Industry: Technology
“Seeing my kids happy is the biggest reward I could imagine. At the end of the day, it's all about them. As a mom, I want to give them the most wonderful life - a life filled with love, joy, experiences, opportunities, and memories we’ve made together. Being successful at work and being successful as a mom takes balance, but when you do it well, give yourself a big hug because it was achieved through lots of dedication, patience, and love. Many thanks to my leader and Dell Technologies for providing a culture of balance & flexibility, as well as career development & advancement opportunities.
I’d like to give a huge shoutout to my mom - a woman who work incredibly hard to ensure my sisters and I had everything we needed, a woman who showed us about sacrifice, a woman that inspired us to be the best we could be, a woman who loved us unconditionally, and a woman that paved the way as a successful working mother. Thank you, Mom!”
Stephanie Grethen
Chief Customer Officer, Aerospike
Industry: Technology
“As a working mother, it is immensely fulfilling to serve as a positive role model by embodying the values of hard work, determination, and the significance of balancing work and family life. Additionally, with older children, they can learn a great deal about the business world and the diverse personalities of people, which can be a valuable educational experience.”
Nina Antinora
Chief Executive Officer, Change It Up
Industry: Entrepreneurship
“For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a successful working mother is actually the moment when I redefined what success looks and feels like for me. Especially when it comes to setting a positive example for my young daughter. I realized success is when I’m happy with my decisions and the choices I make on a daily basis - in business and in parenting. It took years of self-reflection and putting those realizations into action in order for me to create that unwavering success path for myself. I’m beyond proud to be a positive role model for my daughter. In fact, this is the driving force for my current and future successes. Through my own experiences, my hope is that my daughter realizes that she too can truly be and do anything she desires in this world.
The key to juggling life as an entrepreneur, wife, and mother is anchoring to my core values, setting healthy boundaries, and mastering the art of prioritization. I’ve found that when we are able to shift perspective and set limits on those things that affect our time and energy, we are better equipped to show up each day as our best selves. I approach both business and parenting through this mindful lens.”
Dawn Maroney
President, Markets & CEO of AHP CA, Alignment Health
Industry: Healthcare
“I have been blessed to be able to work while being a mother and it is incredibly rewarding. There were times that I missed events in my children’s lives or wasn’t able to spend the time I would have liked with them, but the blessing was having my children experience my passion in the health care industry. I have watched both my children find careers in the health care industry and flourish and that is rewarding.”
Maya Gat
CEO and Co-Founder, Branching Minds
Industry: Technology, Education
“Being able to define success for my children. As CEO of Branching Minds, I define our success by three measures: First, are we making a positive impact for students and educators? Second, am I leading our team according to our values of empathy, collaboration, joy, and diversity? And finally on a personal level, is this work still my bliss? I have the opportunity every day to model for my children that success can be about making the world a better place, leading with integrity and following one’s passion. I also hope that they get to see that success is rarely linear and almost always requires humility because in order to innovate and learn you gotta make a lot of mistakes!
When you love your family and you love your work, it is hard to find balance…but also your life is FULL of love.”
Nicole Roberts
Director of Operations, Jasper Mountain
Industry: Healthcare
“Being a positive role model for my children, especially my daughter. I am the first in my family to graduate from college and have been lucky enough to land a position that I love with a nonprofit organization that is amazing. Being able to reap the rewards of my hard work, such as a better work-life balance, and sharing those rewards with my family is something I have spent decades working towards, and has been a dream come true!”
Mairi Leining
CEO, The People's Health Clinic
Industry: Healthcare
“My job is incredibly fulfilling and I hope that my boys are learning about the importance of gender equity in the workplace and at home.
My success as a working mother depends on my very helpful sister-in-law and the privilege of having a wonderful house cleaner. This support allows me to spend more quality time at work and with my boys.”
Jennifer C. Lawyer
VP, Team Lead of HR Advice Channel, TD Bank
Industry: Human Resources
“The ability to have work/family life balance. I’m able to enjoy a fulfilling career at TD Bank while being a part of my son’s development & growth.”
Anita Garcia-Scott
President, CTR Factor, Inc.
Industry: Entrepreneurship, Education
“I am a mother of 7 girls and 4 boys. My most rewarding aspect is dedicating my time but seeing the fruits of your labor pay off through your children. It’s when they look at you and say thank you mommy for setting the best example for us. It is when my girls know they can have a rewarding career and a beautiful family wrapped in one.”
Mariam Bekhit
Chief Medical Officer & Board Certified Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Healing at Hidden River Eating Disorder Residential Program & Summit Oaks Hospital
Industry: Healthcare
“Providing eating disorder treatment and psychiatric care to children and adolescents especially during the difficult time of the pandemic. Saving my patient's life and seeing their improvement is my reward.
Being a mom helped me understand my patients and allowed me to support them and their parents during their treatment journey, and treating my patients helped me be a better mom.”
Ariel Dalton
SVP, Commercial, Danone North America
Industry: Consumer Packaged Goods & Manufacturing
“Working allows me to leverage my gifts and pursue my passions so I can be the best version of myself, which in turn, enables me to be a better mom for my three children.
I believe diversity of thought and leadership is good for business. Like men, I believe women have a unique set of life experiences and skills which leads to different opinions, different preferences and different strategies enabling decision-making to become more multidimensional and comprehensive.
I’ve devoted a good portion of my personal and professional career to investing in women (at all levels) in an attempt to encourage their passions and prevent them from “opting out” of the workplace because they don’t believe they can manage when they pursue motherhood.
I think it’s important for women to see other women in leadership positions, and for them to see these individuals authentically leading and making an impact as a result of their stage of life, not in spite of it.”
Charina Garcia
Strategy and Innovation Partner, WR Immigration
Industry: Technology, Law
“Seeing your children graduate from college with the same values and ambitions to succeed and make the world a better place.
My daughter just graduated from college this year with a double major in ethnic studies and communication. This was a pivotal moment for me because as mothers our goal is to raise our children so they can thrive independently. During her graduation celebration surrounded by family and friends, she surprised us with her award given by her university for being the top 100 students who exemplify student life at a campus of 45,000 students. I can't even describe the feeling I felt as her mom.”
Michelle Gervais
Partner & Co-Chair Sports Industry Group, Blank Rome LLP
Industry: Legal
“Showing my daughter all that she can be and then some!”
Angie Adams
Clinical Operations Director, Intermountain Health
Industry: Healthcare
“Being able to love and provide for my family is how I measure success. I treasure the greatest title in the world, mom. I am lucky to be mom to an amazing kiddo and let’s not forget the fur babies!”