Recognizing Working Moms at SOM

The staff members who make Yale SOM run are multifaceted, displaying a diversity of knowledge, backgrounds, and roles within Evans Hall. They experience many of the same wins and challenges as the student community we serve. Working mothers especially strive to find balance between the personal and professional, especially when taking leave to give birth and returning to the office with a young baby at home.

For many parents, maternity (birthing parent) and paternity (non-birthing parent) leave provide time to give undivided attention to a new member of the family. Christine Jolly, associate director of academic affairs and student life, took leave for five months after the birth of her son Liam in 2024 and experienced “a transformative time of bonding, learning, and adjusting to motherhood.” Without work as her primary focus, she was able to be fully present for him and embrace every moment.

Following the birth of her daughter Mylei in 2023, Office of Inclusion and Diversity events specialist Maya Martindale Fremond realized she had to change the way she organized her time.

“Leave was needed because Mylei demanded all my attention,” Martindale Fremond recalls. “It was mentally hard for me because I am so used to doing multiple things at once. But with a newborn, I could only focus on her.”

For Valerie Cardona, associate director of financial aid, raising her son Cruz has been a chance to experience childhood all over again, through coloring, going to the zoo, jumping in puddles, building snowmen, and playing pretend. “Motherhood has aged me and made me feel younger at the same time,” she said.

Jolly said that observing her son’s development has been one of the most rewarding aspects of motherhood.

“My favorite part has been watching Liam become a product of both his mothers,” she says. “His curiosity and joy and love for music make even the simplest moments feel special.”

Returning to work after a period of uninterrupted focus on a young baby can be daunting. Many working moms said that flexible schedules, family-friendly spaces in the office, and parent networks can facilitate that transition and provide ongoing emotional support.

For Emily Whitehouse, associate director of admissions for the MBA for Executives program, camaraderie with other moms at SOM was essential during the devastating loss of her son Ellis, who passed away about 33 weeks into her pregnancy in 2021. Those same colleagues also supported her when she gave birth to her son Graham in 2024.

“I was awestruck and humbled by the unbelievable outpouring of love my family received,” she says. “Everyone was so incredibly kind and warm. The mothers and women of Yale are such a special group of people, who mothered me through both grief and joy.”

Francesca De Riso, a senior admissions operations and events specialist who is currently expecting her third child, similarly credits other SOM parents with uplifting her throughout her own motherhood journey.

“I am so lucky to work with a team that includes a lot of parents,” De Riso says. “Working with my colleagues who have gone through this parenting journey before makes me feel understood and welcome.”

Since parenthood is an unpredictable journey, support and empathy beyond the newborn stage are especially valuable. When Cardona’s two-year-old son contracted multiple viruses in quick succession, she leaned on her boss, Rebekah Melville, for support.

“Rebekah, who’s a mom of four herself, gave me the flexibility to work from home or take time off when needed—especially during our many trips to the ER,” she remembers. “That kind of support meant everything to me.”

Martindale Fremond agrees that meaningful support often comes through informal channels. “Continue to be kind and caring to the mothers returning to the workplace,” she recommends. “They need to feel supported at work while being away from their baby.”

About Women’s History Month:

During March, Yale SOM participates in the U.S. celebration of Women’s History Month, including International Women’s Day on March 8. This year’s national theme, “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations,” highlights the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership.

Throughout the month, SOM’s Office of Inclusion and Diversity (OID) is celebrating with the community through meaningful programming, such as free book giveaways and a speaker event focused on the 4B feminist movement in South Korea. We will also be supporting local and national women-owned restaurants, bookstores, and venues throughout the month. To stay up to date on SOM’s events, follow us on Instagram.

The student-run club Women in Management is planning additional programming focused on celebration and awareness. Be sure to follow the club on LinkedIn and Instagram for events throughout the month.

OID hosts multiple cultural immersions throughout the academic year to encourage the SOM community to deeply engage with and experience different cultures through sound, taste, touch, and thought in support of our mission to foster understanding, empathy, and inclusivity.

Happy Women’s History Month!