On today's episode of the NextGen Work Culture podcast, we dive deep into the world of supporting working mothers with our special guest, Abbey Donnell, the founder and CEO of Work and Mother. Abbey shares her journey from recognizing a critical gap in workplace facilities for breastfeeding mothers to creating fully-equipped and managed lactation suites. We discuss the importance of providing proper spaces and resources for breastfeeding moms, the emotional and logistical challenges they face, and how Work and Mother’s innovative solutions are setting new standards for family-friendly workplaces. Tune in to learn about the holistic approach Abbey’s company takes to support returning mothers, the benefits of tackling this issue on a building-wide level, and why setting up these facilities is not just a nice-to-have but an essential component for modern, competitive businesses. This episode is packed with insights and practical advice for employers looking to create a more inclusive and supportive work culture for working parents.

Connect with today's guest:

Abbey Donnell is the Founder and CEO of Work & Mother, a commercial lactation suite and wellness amenity with associated technology to support working parents. By partnering with landlords to provide proper spaces, equipment, and support resources for parents who work outside the home, Work & Mother is helping tenants satisfy legal obligations while improving return to office and retention rates. Before devoting her work full time to Work & Mother, Abbey spent her career in marketing and brand strategy. Abbey has a BS and BA in Advertising and Spanish Language from the University of Colorado at Boulder, an MBA from Rice University, and is a Certified Lactation Counselor. She is also a working mother herself, with firsthand experience of the challenges that today's working families face.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbey-donnell-43936658/

Website: workandmother.com

Other: hub.workandmother.com

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KortneyRoss.com

LinkedIn: @kortneyross

Instagram: @nextgenworkculture

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Today we're joined by Ashley Chang, co-founder and CEO of Sundays, an innovative executive assistant service for working parents. Tune in as Ashley shares how Sundays aims to give parents the time they need to balance meaningful careers and family life. From discussing the gaps in workplace support for parents to innovative solutions like Sundays, this episode dives deep into reshaping work culture for the better. Stay with us to learn how businesses can adapt to be more parent-friendly and why this is crucial for the future of work.

Connect with today's guest:

Ashley Chang is the co-founder and CEO of Sundays, an executive assistant service for working parents. She’s on a mission to accelerate parents in their careers while creating more quality time for family. Before starting Sundays, she worked in the technology industry across all stages of companies – she was the first employee at developer tool company ReadMe and helped scale Carta’s Venture Capital business from 10 to $100M+.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleymchang/

withsundays.com

https://www.instagram.com/with_sundays/

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KortneyRoss.com

LinkedIn: @kortneyross

Instagram: @nextgenworkculture

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In this solo episode, Kortney is diving into an often overlooked topic—working caregivers. Last week, we had an insightful conversation on this topic, and today Kortney shares her own family's journey through this challenging landscape. Her mom became the sole caregiver for her elderly parents, which drastically affected her ability to maintain a full-time job. This episode will explore the dual roles that many employees balance, the physical and emotional toll it takes, and the critical need for supportive workplace environments. We'll discuss actionable solutions like respite care, flexible hours, and tech solutions, emphasizing the importance of employer understanding and open dialogues. Whether you're a caregiver or an employer, this episode aims to shed light on how we can create a more inclusive and supportive work culture.

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Connect with us at:

KortneyRoss.com

LinkedIn: @kortneyross

Instagram: @nextgenworkculture

Facebook: @nextgenworkculture

Host Kortney Ross dives deep into the significant costs businesses face when they lack proper support structures for working parents, particularly those dealing with pregnancy and lactation-related issues. Kortney highlights startling statistics and shares real-world examples to illustrate just how much organizations can lose—both financially and in terms of talent retention—when they fail to provide necessary accommodations. She also emphasizes the importance of awareness and training, especially with the implementation of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. If you're keen on building a family-friendly, future-ready workplace, this episode is a must-listen.

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KortneyRoss.com

LinkedIn: @kortneyross

Instagram: @nextgenworkculture

Facebook: @nextgenworkculture

This episode covers the crucial topic of supporting working caregivers with guest Ashley Blackington, the CEO and founder of Dovetail. In this conversation, she sheds light on the unique challenges caregivers face, whether they're juggling childcare, elder care, or both. We explore how caregiving impacts employees in the workplace, the importance of employer support, and innovative solutions like Ashley's care tech platform, Dovetail, that streamlines care logistics. Join us as we uncover how businesses can create more inclusive and supportive environments for their caregiving employees. You won't want to miss this conversation that bridges the gap between work and personal life in today's ever-evolving work culture.

Connect with today's guest:

Website: https://dovetaildesigns.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/

Podcast: https://www.andbothpodcast.com

Be a guest on Ashley's podcast: https://airtable.com/appn6w6IWipJYIuA3/pagZys7UnECzM46iJ/form

Connect with us at:

KortneyRoss.com

LinkedIn: @kortneyross

Instagram: @nextgenworkculture

Facebook: @nextgenworkculture

This episode dives into parenting through adoption and the essential role of workplace support.

Joining us is Boomie Odumade, a software engineering leader and adoptive parent. She shares her journey through domestic adoption, from navigating long wait times to the joys of bonding with her son. Boomie discusses balancing work with preparing for parenthood and highlights the importance of inclusive workplace policies, gender-neutral parental leave, and the critical support from her colleagues and HR.

Whether you're a prospective adoptive parent or interested in modern workplace culture, this episode is packed with insights you'll appreciate.

Connect with today's guest:

Boomie Odumade is a software engineering leader, with over 20 years of industry experience in software technology. She is Senior Director of Engineering at MIG, and a career coach. Past roles include engineering leadership roles at NPR, Capital One, Accenture, and more. She was also a co-founder of Nexercise, a mobile fitness startup. She is involved in organizations that mentor youth and/or advise people interested in STEM careers, and previously worked as an adjunct faculty. She holds a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering, a master’s of science in computer science, and an M.B.A. from Wharton. She firmly believes that you can succeed at parenting and your career simultaneously. As a mom-by-adoption, she is passionate about educating others about the adoption process and supporting adoptive families.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/odumade

Website: https://tinyurl.com/CoachingByBoomie

Adoption Guide from Boomie

Connect with Kortney:

KortneyRoss.com

LinkedIn: @kortneyross

Instagram: @nextgenworkculture

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In this episode of the NextGen Work Culture podcast, we're excited to share our conversation with Ryan Houmand, author of the book "A Passion for Monday".

Ryan shares his insights on the four big mistakes that make people hate Mondays and what managers can do to help their teams avoid them. From trying to be good at everything like Michael Jordan to fixating on weaknesses like Marty McFly, Ryan uses relatable pop culture references to illustrate how these missteps can derail engagement and satisfaction at work.

He also previews a potential 5th mistake around imposter syndrome that disproportionately impacts women in the workplace.

Throughout the conversation, Ryan emphasizes the crucial role managers play in recognizing their people's strengths and allowing them to work in their zones of genius.

He shares examples from his own consulting work, including how focusing on Gallup's 12 elements of engagement helped turn around a struggling Home Depot store.

Whether you're a people manager looking to boost your team's engagement or an individual contributor who wants to love Mondays like Fridays, you'll find Ryan's advice both practical and inspiring. Let's dive in!

Connect with today's guest, Ryan Houmand:

Author of "A Passion for Monday" Ryan has a background in management with companies like ADP and The Home Depot. He's an established expert on employee engagement which he calls "Loving Monday just Like Friday but for a different reason" His particular expertise is in detecting where managers struggle and helping them succeed in engaging their teams for dramatic results in everything from productivity to client satisfaction to improving safety. Ryan lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-houmand/

Love Monday Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1657009609

Connect with us at:

KortneyRoss.com

LinkedIn: @kortneyross

Instagram: @nextgenworkculture

Facebook: @nextgenworkculture

Today we're diving into the significant return on investment (ROI) of implementing lactation support programs in the workplace. We’ll explore compelling statistics, such as how these programs can dramatically cut healthcare costs and reduce absenteeism, enhance employee morale and retention, and elevate your company's image. Join me as we uncover why supporting breastfeeding employees is not just the right thing to do, but also a smart business move. Learn how creating a family-friendly work environment can make your company more competitive and a place where people want to stay for the long haul.

Connect with us at:

KortneyRoss.com

LinkedIn: @kortneyross

Instagram: @nextgenworkculture

Facebook: @nextgenworkculture

In this episode of the NextGen Work Culture podcast, host Kortney Ross sits down with Matt Gjertsen, founder of Better Everyday Studios, to delve into the intricacies of leadership in the modern workplace. Matt shares insights from his rich background as a former US Air Force instructor pilot and leader of the training development team at SpaceX. They discuss the essential shift new managers must make from individual contributors to effective team leaders, the importance of understanding employees on a personal level, and the evolving needs of a family-friendly work culture. Tune in to learn how you can build trust, foster psychological safety, and support working parents in a post-COVID world. Whether you're a new manager, an experienced leader, or anyone looking to improve workplace dynamics, this episode offers valuable perspectives and practical advice.

Connect with today's guest:

Matt Gjertsen is the founder of Better Every Day Studios and is on a mission to help companies develop managers to lead high performing teams. He began his career as an Air Force Instructor Pilot and then became the Manager of Training and Development for SpaceX. After SpaceX, Matt joined a global technology start-up and then founded Better Every Day Studios to help close the new leader skill gap at aerospace and technology companies.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgjertsen/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6sHpKEkdnD0-VKOIBAxcMA

https://www.bettereverydaystudios.com/

Connect with us at:

KortneyRoss.com

LinkedIn: @kortneyross

Instagram: @nextgenworkculture

Facebook: @nextgenworkculture

In this episode, we're diving into the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) with Vianei Braun, an esteemed employment law expert with over 30 years of experience. The PWFA is a crucial law that's reshaping the workplace for pregnant employees, with the final regulations released and implemented in June of 2024.

In this episode, we unpack the nuances of the PWFA and its implications for both employers and pregnant employees. We'll explore the necessity of reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related issues and what you need to know about these needs. We'll also highlight how the law promotes a supportive work environment by encouraging interactive discussions between employers and employees, rather than defaulting to leave policies.

Additionally, we'll touch on the changes brought about by the PWFA compared to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including the streamlined process for quickly handling accommodation requests and the importance of training frontline managers to recognize accommodation requests. As we discuss these new regulations, we'll also note the ongoing controversy over what is considered a related medical condition.

Stay tuned as we provide actionable advice for updating workplace policies, training frontline supervisors, and fostering a positive reputation for your business.

Learn more about leadership training on the PWFA and more:

KortneyRoss.com/LeadershipTraining

Connect with today's guest:

LinkedIn: vianeibraunattorney

Website: www.deckerjones.com

Vianei Braun leads the employment law practice at Decker Jones, P.C., a full-service law firm in Fort Worth. She has been recognized as a Texas Monthly “Super Lawyer” and has been selected as a “Top Lawyer” in Labor & Employment law by Fort Worth and 360 West magazines.

Vianei is also a member of the Board of Directors of First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: FFIN), a banking institution with assets of $13 billion and 79 banking locations throughout Texas. Vianei serves on the board’s Compensation and Risk Committees and chairs the Advisory Board of First Financial Bank’s Fort Worth Region. In addition, Vianei serves on the Board of Trustees and the Audit and Compliance Committee of Texas Health Resources.

Vianei is an honors graduate of Princeton University and the University of Texas School of Law. Vianei has been honored as a “Great Woman of Texas” by the Fort Worth Business Press, and as a member of the “Fort Worth 400” by Fort Worth Inc. Vianei lives in Benbrook with a pack of rescue Chihuahuas and her husband Jason, an attorney in the enforcement division of the SEC.

Connect with us at:

KortneyRoss.com

LinkedIn: @kortneyross

Instagram: @nextgenworkculture

Facebook: @nextgenworkculture