3 Founders Changing the Game for Working Parents
3 Founders Changing the Future of Work for Women
In today’s workforce, women are leading the charge to create environments that empower working mothers and female professionals. Yet, challenges remain. Whether it’s inadequate support for breastfeeding mothers, the lack of flexible, supportive workplaces, or the complex transition back to work after parental leave, these issues have long made it difficult for women to thrive in their careers while balancing family responsibilities.
Three visionary founders — Abbey Donnell, Michelle Yu, and Paula Faris — are at the forefront of addressing these challenges, each in their unique way. Here’s how they’re reshaping the future of work for women.
Abbey Donnell, Founder of Work & Mother
The Problem: Lack of Support for Breastfeeding Mothers in the Workplace
Breastfeeding mothers face significant challenges when returning to work. Despite the Fair Labor Standards Act requiring employers to provide break time and a private space for nursing mothers, many workplaces still fall short. A 2019 study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that while 63% of employers provide lactation rooms, these spaces are often inadequate, uncomfortable, or non-existent.
Abbey’s Solution: Work & Mother
Abbey Donnell founded Work & Mother to solve this problem by creating dedicated, fully equipped lactation suites in office buildings. These suites offer a clean, comfortable, and private environment for mothers to pump breast milk during the workday. But Abbey’s vision goes beyond providing physical spaces. Work & Mother also offers resources, support, and community for working mothers, advocating for better policies and practices that support women in the workplace.
By setting a new standard for workplace lactation support, Abbey is helping mothers balance their professional and personal lives, ensuring they don’t have to choose between their careers and their ability to provide for their children.
Michelle Yu, Co-Founder of Josie
The Problem: Navigating Parental Leave and the Transition Back to Work
The transition into and through working parenthood is fraught with challenges, particularly during and after parental leave. Over 60% of mothers don’t feel emotionally or mentally prepared to return to work post-leave, and 73% of working dads feel there is little workplace support for fathers. These challenges are even more pronounced for mid-career professionals who are often rising stars in their organizations but struggle to balance their professional and personal lives.
Michelle’s Solution: Josie
Michelle Yu founded Josie to provide the support that working parents need to thrive both at home and at work. Josie partners with businesses and families to offer personalized coaching and content for parental leave and the early years of working parenthood. Their services include mental health coaching to manage stress and avoid burnout, career coaching to embrace leadership skills, and transition coaching to navigate the complex transitions of early parenthood.
Josie’s approach is holistic, acting as a go-to support system that blends the expertise of various specialists into one seamless experience. By addressing the unique challenges faced by working parents, Michelle is helping them find a path to success both in their careers and in their roles as parents.
Paula Faris, Founder of CARRY™ Consulting
The Problem: Workplace Cultures That Don’t Support Working Parents
Despite progress in gender equality, many workplaces are still not designed with working parents in mind. According to the Pew Research Center, 50% of working mothers say it’s harder to advance in their careers because of family responsibilities. The lack of flexible work arrangements, comprehensive benefits, and supportive work environments makes it difficult for parents, particularly mothers, to thrive in their careers.
Paula’s Solution: CARRY™ Consulting
Paula Faris, a former journalist and co-anchor of ABC’s “Good Morning America,” turned her focus to supporting working parents through CARRY™ Consulting. Paula’s mission is to help companies create cultures that retain and attract working parents, with a particular emphasis on working mothers.
Through CARRY™ Consulting, Paula is challenging organizations to rethink their policies and practices. She advocates for more flexible work arrangements, comprehensive benefits, and environments that genuinely support parents. Paula’s work is rooted in the belief that when companies support their employees as parents, they not only improve workplace morale but also drive business success.
By pushing for these changes, Paula is helping to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace where women can excel in their careers while embracing their roles as mothers.
Changing the Future, One Founder at a Time
Abbey Donnell, Michelle Yu, and Paula Faris are each making significant strides in changing the future of work for women. By addressing critical issues like inadequate breastfeeding support, the challenges of returning to work after parental leave, and unsupportive workplace cultures, these founders are setting new standards for what the workplace can and should be. As they continue to push boundaries and advocate for change, they are not only shaping the future of work but also inspiring the next generation of female leaders to do the same.
