Kundra

After hundreds of parental-transition coaching conversations, which common insights drive retention and performance?

In this episode of the Kundra Podcast, Theresa sits down with Rita Bouzaid—Paris-based consultant, former investment banker, and founder of Empowerment—coaching men and women on reintegrating and excelling in their careers after becoming parents. Drawing on her deep expertise at the nexus of leadership and family life, Rita reveals why parental leave must be treated as a strategic transition, not a personal interruption, and how companies can turn it into a talent-boosting advantage.

Inside this conversation, you’ll discover:

• Patterns in Parental Transitions: The recurring identity shifts and confidence dips that returning parents face—and how to anticipate them.
• Strategic Reboarding Blueprints: Why a one-size-fits-all checklist fails, and how to design tailored reboarding plans that stick.
• Importance of Manager Support: How empowering managers with scripts, training, and check-ins transforms the return-to-work experience.
• Policy Pitfalls to Avoid: The top three missteps companies make when designing leave and return programs.
• Why ignoring fathers undercuts culture

Whether you’re an HR director, team leader, or working parent mapping your next career move, Rita’s insights will help you transform parental transitions into moments of growth, retention, and stronger team performance.

In this episode we’ll cover:

• 00:00 Intro to Rita
• 01:05 From Investment Banking to Parenthood Coaching
• 03:46 Identity Shifts & Confidence Dips: Common Challenges for Returning Parents
• 06:23 Where Companies Go Wrong: Treating Leave as a Pause, Not a Transition
• 08:48 Bridging Process & People: Human-Centric Transition
• 10:12 The 3-Step Framework: Anticipate → Accompany → Anchor
• 15:17 Case Study: Four-Month Reboarding Plan That Ended in a Promotion
• 24:17 Manager Playbook & Final Advice: Silence, Pace, Ambition

About Kundra

Kundra is currently in active discovery and prototyping — and this podcast is part of that journey.

We’re speaking to founders, HR leaders, and working parents to better understand what support looks like when ambition meets parenting.

The companies that will lead tomorrow are building equity into their foundations today.

If you're shaping that future — or want to help us build the tools that support it — we’d love to hear from you.

—

Want practical takeaways from every episode?

• Subscribe to Kundra Notes for insights, episode recaps, and HR toolkits you can use right now
• Follow Kundra on LinkedIn for product updates and thought leadership
• Follow Kundra on Instagram for quotes, behind-the-scenes, and daily moments

What happens when a senior finance leader navigates pregnancy in one of the world’s most demanding banking cultures?

In this episode of the Kundra Podcast, Theresa sits down with Hemi — Executive Director at JPMorgan and working mother who’s built her career across London and New York. Hemi shares her candid journey through pregnancy in a high-performance finance environment, from her bold request to work from home to the micro-stress of negotiating informal leave policies, all the way to her vision for a dedicated parent business resource group. Along the way, she reveals how proactive flexibility, transparent communication, and inclusive workplace policies empower working mothers (and all parents) to thrive without sacrificing career momentum.

If you’re a finance leader, HR professional, or working parent seeking real-world insights on parental leave, career advancement, and building a truly parent-first workplace, this episode is your blueprint.

In this episode we cover:

• 00:00 Intro to Hemi
• 01:12 Crossing Cultures: London ↔ New York Journey
• 08:13 Planning for Parental Leave & Handover Practices
• 09:40 Early Pregnancy in High-Performance Finance
• 23:44 A Parent Business Resource Group
• 25:43 Asking for Support: Flexibility & Accommodations
• 30:06 Advice for Leaders & Closing Thoughts

About Kundra

Kundra is currently in active discovery and prototyping — and this podcast is part of that journey.

We’re speaking to founders, HR leaders, and working parents to better understand what support looks like when ambition meets parenting.

The companies that will lead tomorrow are building equity into their foundations today.

If you're shaping that future — or want to help us build the tools that support it — we’d love to hear from you.

—
Want practical takeaways from every episode?

• Subscribe to Kundra Notes for insights, episode recaps, and HR toolkits you can use right now
• Follow Kundra on LinkedIn for product updates and thought leadership
• Follow Kundra on Instagram for quotes, behind-the-scenes, and daily moments

What if you could manage a team member’s parental leave in a way that supports people and drives performance — even if you’re not a parent yourself?

In this episode of the Kundra Podcast, Theresa sits down with Marion, Head of Product Marketing at Yousign — a high-growth SaaS company based in Paris — for a first-of-its-kind conversation. Unlike other episodes that center around the experience of becoming a parent, this one flips the perspective: Marion isn’t a parent, but she’s a people-first leader who successfully managed a senior team member’s maternity leave.

She shares the exact steps she took to plan ahead, secure budget for external support, maintain team performance, and ensure a smooth re-onboarding that helped her team member return with confidence — and outperform within a quarter. From company-wide support structures to manager-led empathy, Marion proves that treating parental leave as a normal part of business leads to better outcomes for everyone.

If you’re an HR leader, department head, or founder who wants to future-proof your culture and operations — this episode is your blueprint.

In this episode we cover:

• 00:00 Intro to Marion
• 03:48 Yousign’s Culture of Proactive Parental Support
• 07:41 Managing Maternity Leave: What She Did as a Manager
• 09:53 Hiring Help vs. Scaling Back: How Marion Made the Call
• 12:23 Re-Onboarding that Actually Works
• 24:38 Recognition, Promotion, and Trusting People
• 26:52 Advice for Managers: Why Planning is Everything
• 31:10 Final Thoughts: Rethinking What Good Leadership Looks Like

About Kundra

Kundra is currently in active discovery and prototyping — and this podcast is part of that journey.

We’re speaking to founders, HR leaders, and working parents to better understand what support looks like when ambition meets parenting.

The companies that will lead tomorrow are building equity into their foundations today.

If you're shaping that future — or want to help us build the tools that support it — we’d love to hear from you.

—
Want practical takeaways from every episode?

• Subscribe to Kundra Notes for insights, episode recaps, and HR toolkits you can use right now
• Follow Kundra on LinkedIn for product updates and thought leadership
• Follow Kundra on Instagram for quotes, behind-the-scenes, and daily moments

What happens when a company treats parental leave as a strategic investment — not a disruption? 

In this episode of the Kundra Podcast, Theresa is joined by Celine, Director of Sales at Spotify and mom of two, who shares the first truly positive parental leave experience we’ve heard. 

After years in media agencies, Celine joined Spotify and later took maternity leave with her second child. What followed was rare: a smooth handover, protected career momentum, outstanding business results and not one — but two promotions after her return. 

We talk about what made the difference: 

• A proactive manager who advocated for her
• Clear ownership over offboarding and reboarding
• A culture that backs flexibility

If you're a leader, future parent, HR professional, or someone building a career while building a family — this conversation is your blueprint.
 
Listen now to learn how parental leave, done right, can become a leadership accelerator — not a career risk.
 

In this episode we cover:

• 00:00 Celine’s Career Path 
• 04:07 Maternity Leave as a Career Wake-Up Call 
• 08:12 What Made Spotify Different 
• 13:18 Designing Her Own Offboarding — and Feeling Calm 
• 16:20 Returning With Confidence — and Getting Promoted 
• 21:31 What Support Actually Looks Like 
• 25:38 Why Culture Drives Loyalty and Results 

About Kundra

Kundra is currently in active discovery and prototyping — and this podcast is part of that journey.

We’re speaking to founders, HR leaders, and working parents to better understand what support looks like when ambition meets parenting.

The companies that will lead tomorrow are building equity into their foundations today.

If you're shaping that future — or want to help us build the tools that support it — we’d love to hear from you.

—
Want practical takeaways from every episode?

• Subscribe to Kundra Notes for insights, episode recaps, and HR toolkits you can use right now
• Follow Kundra on LinkedIn for product updates and thought leadership
• Follow Kundra on Instagram for quotes, behind-the-scenes, and daily moments

What happens when you're at the top of your game — and the job disappears the moment they learn you’re pregnant?

In this episode of the Kundra Podcast, Theresa speaks with Caroline, a former marketing leader at Klarna and soon-to-be mother, who found herself navigating not one but two CMO job offers while expecting her first child.

One company withdrew their offer after she disclosed her pregnancy. Another showed support from the start.

With transparency and courage, Caroline walks us through how it felt to have her employment contract withdrawn with the CEO’s words: “Your first job now is to fall in love with your baby and not think about work”, why she chose not to pursue legal action, and what ultimately led her to land the CMO role of her dreams. She shares powerful lessons on how to spot red and green flags in interviews, the emotional toll of her experiences and her decision-making process, and how companies can benefit from investing in top talent in the long-term.

If you're a hiring manager, a future parent, or curious about how to attract the best executive talent, this one is for you.

In this episode we cover:

• 00:00 Caroline's Career Journey & Pregnancy Surprise
• 01:49 Caroline's Background and Career Path
• 06:19 The First Offer — What Happened When She Disclosed
• 12:07 Why She Chose Not to Sue
• 16:39 The Second Offer — A Supportive Culture
• 24:06 Spotting Red Flags in Interviews
• 28:18 Advice for HR: How to Show You’re Supportive
• 32:35 Why hiring Pregnant Women is still seen as a risk
• 37:13 Reflections and Advice for Future Mothers

About Kundra

Kundra is currently in active discovery and prototyping — and this podcast is part of that journey.

We’re speaking to founders, HR leaders, and working parents to better understand what support looks like when ambition meets parenting.

The companies that will lead tomorrow are building equity into their foundations today.

If you're shaping that future — or want to help us build the tools that support it — we’d love to hear from you.

—
Want practical takeaways from every episode?

• Subscribe to Kundra Notes for insights, episode recaps, and HR toolkits you can use right now
• Follow Kundra on LinkedIn for product updates and thought leadership
• Follow Kundra on Instagram for quotes, behind-the-scenes, and daily moments

What if becoming a mother didn’t hold back your career — but gave you the skills to lead even better?

In this episode of the Kundra Podcast, Theresa sits down with Ektaa, Founder and Managing Director of the Coworth Group. After years on the Partner track at global firms like Page Executive, Ektaa became pregnant — and everything changed.

Promotion conversations stopped. Visibility faded. Three months after giving birth, she quit her job and launched her own company.

In this conversation, Ektaa shares what really pushed her to leave the corporate world, how motherhood sharpened her leadership instincts, and what she’s doing differently as a founder. From pregnancy bias to resilience after giving birth, this episode is full of insight for anyone navigating ambition and identity after becoming a parent.

If you’re curious about how parenting skills can fuel business success — this episode is for you.

In this episode we cover:

• 00:00 Introduction to Ektaa's Journey 
• 01:32 Early Career and Entrepreneurial Spirit 
• 06:10 Challenges of Pregnancy in Corporate Life 
• 12:02 Starting a Business Post-Maternity Leave 
• 17:39 Navigating Bias and Promoting Gender Equality 
• 22:30 Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship 
• 32:59 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 
• 34:15 Preparing the Business for a Second Child 
• 37:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

About Kundra

Kundra is currently in active discovery and prototyping — and this podcast is part of that journey.

We’re speaking to founders, HR leaders, and working parents to better understand what support looks like when ambition meets parenting.

The companies that will lead tomorrow are building equity into their foundations today.

If you're shaping that future — or want to help us build the tools that support it — we’d love to hear from you.

—
Want practical takeaways from every episode?

• Subscribe to Kundra Notes for insights, episode recaps, and HR toolkits you can use right now
• Follow Kundra on LinkedIn for product updates and thought leadership
• Follow Kundra on Instagram for quotes, behind-the-scenes, and daily moments

What happens when you land your dream job in advertising—only to discover you’re also navigating a surprise pregnancy while figuring out parental leave in a new job?

In this episode of the Kundra Podcast, Theresa interviews Eve Maguire, a Senior Strategist with a standout career at ad agencies across New York, London, and now Dublin, having worked with some of the most iconic global brands. 

With honesty and humour, Eve opens up about balancing a major international move, a new role, and an unexpected pregnancy. 

From lack of transparency around maternity benefits, to the stress of disclosing pregnancy in a new job and the financial challenges of starting a family, Eve sheds light on the emotional and logistical challenges many of us deal with in silence.
 
If you’re starting to think about the next stage in life and career—or building for the future of work—don’t miss out on these insights and practical tips.

About Kundra: 

Kundra is currently in active discovery and prototyping — and we’re inviting collaborators, testers, and forward-thinking leaders to help shape what comes next. 

The companies that will lead tomorrow are building equity into their foundations today. 

Sign up to join the beta → https://www.kundra.ai/  

In this episode we cover:

• 00:00 Introduction to Eve’s Journey 
• 00:40 Eve’s Background and Career Moves 
• 01:21 Navigating Maternity Policies 
• 02:03 Researching Benefits Before Accepting a Job 
• 07:49 Revealing Pregnancy at Work 
• 13:33 Financial Planning During Maternity 
• 18:51 Childcare Challenges and Solutions 
• 23:11 Balancing Career and Motherhood 
• 26:47 Advice for Future Parents 

—
Want practical takeaways from every episode?

• Subscribe to Kundra Notes for insights, episode recaps, and HR toolkits you can use right now
• Follow Kundra on LinkedIn for product updates and thought leadership
• Follow Kundra on Instagram for quotes, behind-the-scenes, and daily moments

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.  

About Kundra: 

Kundra is currently in active discovery and prototyping — and we’re inviting collaborators, testers, and forward-thinking leaders to help shape what comes next. 

The companies that will lead tomorrow are building equity into their foundations today. 

Sign up to join the beta → https://www.kundra.ai/  

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

—
Want practical takeaways from every episode?

• Subscribe to Kundra Notes for insights, episode recaps, and HR toolkits you can use right now
• Follow Kundra on LinkedIn for product updates and thought leadership
• Follow Kundra on Instagram for quotes, behind-the-scenes, and daily moments

Why focus on gender workplace equality? Why launch a podcast — and why the name Kundra? In this 7-minute origin story, host Theresa Gschwandtner (former Product Marketing Exec at LinkedIn, WeWork & Qonto) shares what led her to leave big tech and start building a SaaS for change. Hear how a powerful book, personal inspiration, and shocking customer research discoveries sparked Kundra — a podcast for real stories, surprising insights, and actionable ideas to build more equal workplaces.

—
Want practical takeaways from every episode?

• Subscribe to Kundra Notes for insights, episode recaps, and HR toolkits you can use right now
• Follow Kundra on LinkedIn for product updates and thought leadership
• Follow Kundra on Instagram for quotes, behind-the-scenes, and daily moments

What’s Kundra about? In this 4-minute trailer, get a feel for what to expect: real stories of women, leaders, and changemakers driving gender equality at work — with sharp conversations, surprising insights, and actionable takeaways. Hosted by FinTech Exec turned Founder Theresa Gschwandtner. Subscribe now and join the journey.

—
Want practical takeaways from every episode?

• Subscribe to Kundra Notes for insights, episode recaps, and HR toolkits you can use right now
• Follow Kundra on LinkedIn for product updates and thought leadership
• Follow Kundra on Instagram for quotes, behind-the-scenes, and daily moments