In the workplace, Mother’s Day is often a celebration of superheroes achieving the endless balancing act that is parenting—and for many women, an opportunity to reflect on how parenting and professionalism intersect. Too often, the challenges of being a working parent are met with unrealistic expectations or inflexible systems. But when companies show up with trust, empathy, and actionable support, careers don’t have to stall. In fact, they can thrive.
Here, parents share how their employers have helped them grow while raising children—from flexible schedules and supportive managers to promotions earned in tandem with toddler milestones. These stories are more than just workplace wins; they’re evidence of what happens when culture meets compassion, and when leadership chooses to see employees as whole people, not just job titles.
If you’re wondering what it means to be truly “supported” as a working parent, find it in these quotes from women at our partner companies.
How has your company supported your career progression while you’ve managed parenting duties?
“As a first time mom, transitioning to motherhood has been a smooth experience thanks to my company’s incredible support. Their flexibility and understanding of my new schedule have made all the difference!” —Kelsey Weiss, Project Manager
“Delaware North has played a key role in supporting my career while I’ve managed parenting responsibilities. Flexible hours and remote work options have made it possible to be there for my family without putting my growth on hold. What truly stands out though is the leadership. I’ve always felt encouraged to grow, take on new opportunities, and define success in a way that works for me. Their support has made it possible to show up fully—as a parent and a professional.” —Jocelyn Zimmerman, Senior Digital Marketing Manager, Search Team
“Honestly, I feel really lucky. My company has given me the space to grow in my career without making me feel like I have to choose between work and family. There’s a lot of trust, flexibility, and understanding—especially from leaders who’ve been through the parenting journey themselves. It’s not just about policies, it’s the people and the culture. That support has made it easier to show up fully both at work and at home. Hyperproof is a people-first organization, and I am a proud member of this fantastic company.” —Dipti B., Implementation Manager
“My boss is a mom, my skip-level is a parent, and many of my peers are parents. We all understand what it means to work a demanding career and also prioritize parenting very highly. I feel lucky that this attitude comes all the way from the top and is ingrained in our culture.” —Kayla Baxter, Senior Product Manager
“My company has supported my career in the most meaningful way—by seeing me as a whole person, not just a professional. As I’ve navigated the beautiful chaos of parenting, I’ve been met with understanding, flexibility, and encouragement at every turn. Leaders have checked in with genuine care, asking not just how the work is going, but how I’m doing. I’ve been given the space to grow in my role without sacrificing the moments that matter most at home. That kind of empathy and support has made all the difference—it’s allowed me to thrive both as a parent and a professional.” —Brooke Sullivan, GTM People & Talent Partner
“I feel like I work in an ideal work environment—high trust, low interference. It’s awesome when you're given the autonomy to do things your way but still held to a standard that makes you feel responsible and valued. That kind of balance can really bring out the best in people in my opinion.” —Hana Tenklova, Senior Implementation Consultant
“During my time at Hyperproof, I’ve been promoted once and received multiple raises while also having two children in under two years. As the first mom at the company to have a baby, I felt truly supported—not only with 12 weeks of maternity leave but also with a year of free diapers and wipes. When I returned to work, I was given the flexibility for a gradual transition, even working with my baby by my side. As I took on new challenges postpartum, my work was recognized, reinforcing the company’s support for working parents.” —Cassidy Treiber, Product Designer
“iFIT has supported my career progression by giving me the flexibility and trust to manage both my work and parenting responsibilities. I’ve had the opportunity to grow into leadership roles while still being present for my family, coaching my kids’ soccer teams, and staying actively involved in my church community. That balance has been key to my success. Supportive managers, a culture that values outcomes over hours, and understanding colleagues have all made it possible for me to thrive both as a parent and a professional.” —Natalie Carlson, Sr Director Product Management
“Becoming a parent unlocked a life meaning no company can provide, personally. My company has respected my boundaries and parental life. I don’t think company support for my career progression differs from if I weren’t a parent. If anything, parenthood shifted how I think about career progression, growth, opportunity, and timing. Progress and growth expand across my career and personal life—it’s about applying life’s lessons to how I lead and deliver as an employee, contributing to my career’s evolution.” —Margaret Heck, Senior Manager of Customer Success, Onboarding & Implementation
“I’ve been fortunate to have a supervisor who truly supported my role as a parent while giving me more responsibilities in the company. He understood the importance of being present in my children’s lives and always trusted my ability to deliver results. That trust allowed me the flexibility to manage my time in a way that ensured I could show up both at work and at home. His support made a meaningful difference in my career journey and gave me the confidence to keep advancing without sacrificing those crucial moments with my family.” —Morayma Da Silva, VP of Contract Compliance, William Charles Construction
“MasTec has been incredibly supportive of my career progression while I’ve managed parenting responsibilities. I started in a different segment of the company, and within a year, I was able to transition into the role I truly wanted—working in communications and creative services for MasTec Clean Energy and Infrastructure. The flexibility, encouragement, and recognition I received along the way made it possible to pursue my passion without sacrificing my role as a parent. It’s empowering to be part of a company that values both professional growth and personal wellbeing.” —Heather Doane, Communications Specialist II
“Honestly, I haven’t felt that parenting has been an obstacle to my professional growth, nor has my career kept me from being a dedicated mother. I have always been given equal opportunities to grow professionally and my managers have always been understanding and supportive when it comes to anything related to my children. I truly have no complaints—I feel fortunate to be in a work environment that respects and supports my dual role.” —Zulay Peters Finance Manager - Panama Office
"My company has been really supportive of my career growth while I’ve navigated parenting responsibilities. One of the biggest ways they’ve helped is by offering flexibility—whether that’s through hybrid work options, or understanding around scheduling needs.
The leaders at my company and my peers genuinely care about work-life balance and check in not just about projects, but about how things are going at home. That kind of support has made it easier for me to stay engaged, and continue growing in my role." —Isabel Rodicio, HR Generalist
“Sysco offers comprehensive benefits for new parents. The peace of mind this affords during the transition into parenthood is priceless! In addition, I have had the privilege of working for, and alongside, parents who have shown me that balancing personal and professional duties is possible with the right boundaries in place. Proactively identifying and communicating non-negotiables in each of your roles keeps everyone aligned, ensuring one role isn’t overshadowing the other. With this, I was able to be promoted from Generalist to Director while being a toddler mom!” —Katie Fox, Human Resource Director, Sysco Central California
“I joined Taulia in October 2024 and feel fortunate to be part of a company that values both career growth and personal wellbeing. As a parent, being present for my son—whether he's unwell, at a school event, or needs support—is important to me. Taulia’s flexible work-from-home policy has made this possible without compromising my professional growth. Challenges and stepping out of comfort zones are part of success, but Taulia’s culture of support and mentorship, especially through programs like LIFT, has helped me balance both worlds effectively.” —Monika Budhiraja, Gen AI Engineering Manager
