How being a mom made me a better chief creative officer

When I was offered the role of chief creative officer at TBWA\Chiat\Day New York, my first thoughts were “Holy shit, this is interesting” and, a second later, “Holy shit, this is terrifying.”

Here’s why: I have three small children—boys who at the time were 5, 3 and 1—and the math didn’t seem to add up. Being an executive creative director was demanding enough but still left some time for my family. Could I really take on the larger role at one of the biggest agencies in New York while also being an engaged mom? Would I be good at it, or would I just fail at both?

Reader, it was a heavy decision.

I was filled with questions, fears and doubts—but surrounded by people who believed I could do it. So, I leaned in and said yes!

Cut to today and I’ve officially been doing the job for about a year. It’s joyful but … it’s big. It’s messy. It’s exhausting. It’s challenging.

But above all else, I am here to tell you it’s possible. My creative and family jobs are similar—and being a mom has made me a much better CCO. So, for my fellow and future moms who have ever doubted taking the next career step or struggled to find balance, here are four reasons why you can do it and why you’re better equipped than you think.

You have a superhuman ability to multitask

The job demands excellence at multitasking. I am better able to deal with the 16 agency priorities of the day because of how I mastered this skill at home; I once nursed a baby, changed a diaper and opened a cheese stick all at the same time.

Problem-solving Is your MO

My job requires fast creative problem-solving—just like motherhood. Finding something my very picky and incredibly headstrong 6-year-old will eat for dinner is only slightly more difficult than selling a new brand platform to a chief marketing officer.

You can handle relentless

Only one other job requires as much attention as my creative role—and that is motherhood. For example: Did I order diapers? Is there milk? When can I schedule doctor and dentist appointments and flu shots? Are the kids happy, well-adjusted, learning, challenged and not spending too much time on screens? Where are we going to find a new sitter, and should we travel for Christmas or is that too COVID-y? Do they have homework, can I volunteer at the school, when is soccer practice, is it bad they eat only pasta, and put your shoes on! And dammit, you forgot the diapers!

You understand work-life balance

An amazing thing about motherhood is it gives you a reason to exist outside of a job. A career can easily become all-consuming and stressful, but kids remind you that the job isn’t your whole world. That’s changed how I think about my time and how I want to use it. But it’s also changed how I think about everyone else’s time, which makes me a better boss. My need to get home in time for dinner and tuck my kids into bed forces me to make decisions, and decisiveness always contributes to a better creative process.

By the way, I know motherhood isn’t for everyone—and it shouldn’t be. It is a very personal choice, and it remains the hardest job I’ve come across. I am not advocating that everyone should go out and procreate or adopt. And I am also not saying moms are the only good options for CCOs. I am simply asking that they be considered more seriously for the big job. 

I also want to acknowledge things I learned along the way that make this entire proposition possible. Work with people who have your back when you need to tap out. I work alongside some of the best in the business, parents and non-parents who support and celebrate those of us trying to do both. They make it easier for me to do my job and foster an environment where working parents feel supported.

Never forget that it takes a village. I am lucky that I have a husband who couldn’t be more supportive and does more laundry than any human ever should. My own mother, who was an amazing example of working and being present as I was growing up, is someone who pitches in and helps when we need her. Having a community of working parents, both inside and outside the agency, provides support and advice when I need it. There’s no way I could do this without any of them.

CEOs across the globe take note: Moms are the untapped resource in this industry. We should champion moms and support moms. Let’s invite more moms to run agencies. I believe it will make this industry a better place. 

And to all the moms out there: Let’s do this thing. Oh … and don’t forget the diapers.