What happens when a top 1% sales performer becomes a first-time mom — and the system expects her to pick up exactly where she left off?
In this episode of the Kundra podcast, Theresa interviews Vanessa Gschwandtner, a sales executive who built her career at LinkedIn, Slack, and now AI startup Glean. Vanessa shares the untold side of maternity leave in high-performance environments: the invisible planning, the identity shift, and the silent loss of confidence no one talks about.
From navigating full quotas with no reboarding support to redefining what “success” means after motherhood, Vanessa’s story offers a candid look at the realities many women face — but few workplaces prepare for.
Whether you're a working parent, a leader who understands that companies investing in equity see 5.5x higher revenue growth, or someone shaping the future of work — this conversation will shift how you think about career, identity, and real support.
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In this episode we cover:
- 00:00 Introduction to Vanessa Gschwandtner and Her Journey
- 01:24 Career Path and Transition to Glean
- 02:55 Experiences at Slack and Maternity Leave Challenges
- 05:54 Returning to Work and Struggles with Confidence
- 10:13 Balancing Motherhood and Career
- 16:43 Navigating Work-Life Balance and Gender Inequality
- 36:30 Long-Term Career Reflections and Advice
- 42:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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