Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christa Bright. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Christa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Any advice for creating a more inclusive workplace?

A popular saying I like to refer to when it comes to inclusion: “People don’t quit jobs, they quit bosses”. Creating a more inclusive workplace begins at leadership and trickles down to the new the hire that started 30 days ago. Inclusivity is crucial for fostering diversity, equity, and a positive work culture.

My background is in Project Management, not Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, however while forming teams I can say a more inclusive workplace starts at the hiring stage. Diversity should be seen throughout the team, with leadership making an effort to hire people from all different backgrounds. Additionally, promotion processes should be fair and documented and continuous training to raise awareness about unconscious bias should be readily available and required.

The Working Mom Conference (WMC) addresses the many challenges surrounding inclusivity for mothers in the workplace. We hope to educate and encourage companies to foster open communication by creating a safe space for mothers to express their thoughts and concerns.

WMC encourages the use of inclusive language in all communications and provide guidelines to avoid exclusionary terms. Mothers often can’t stay late, attend social happy hours or smoke breaks, where leadership may brainstorm or even make pivotal decisions.

Moms need flexible work arrangements to accommodate personal and childcare needs, such as remote work or flexible hours. Leaders can take the extra step to learn school closures and break times, and avoid scheduling major projects or meetings during those times. Leadership should demonstrate commitment to inclusivity, with leaders modeling inclusive behavior and holding themselves accountable.

Leaders should encourage the formation of employee resource groups to provide support, networking opportunities such as conferences, and insights. By creating an environment where everyone feels valued and heard, you not only enhance the well-being of your employees but also foster innovation and creativity within the organization. Inclusivity is an ongoing journey, and it requires commitment and effort from all levels of the organization to create lasting positive change.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Working mothers navigate a complex intersection of roles, juggling the demands of career and family with resilience and grace. The challenges we face are numerous and diverse, from managing professional responsibilities to nurturing the growth and well-being of their children. Yet, within these challenges lies an opportunity for personal and professional growth, a chance to redefine success on our terms. Embracing the complexities of motherhood and the workplace is not only an act of courage but a pathway to self-discovery and empowerment. By facing these challenges head-on, working mothers can unlock their untapped potential, inspiring positive change not only within ourselves but also in the broader landscape of societal perceptions. The Working Mom Conference (WMC) is an invitation to seize control of one’s narrative, to prove that the intersection of motherhood and career is not a barrier but a powerful crucible for forging strength, resilience, and success.

My own journey of entrepreneurship began with the values instilled in me from childhood: education and commitment. First, I educated myself, I took a certification course for event planning and entrepreneurship, started reading a number of business books and articles and completed a Master’s degree in Project Management. Then, I took what I learned and made 101 mistakes, but never letting these lessons discourage me. I bet myself on myself each and every time and with knowledge and perseverance I came to my business, Bright Era Event Productions, where I curate events and experiences for others to make lasting memories.

My biggest passion is connection and creating spaces for women to naturally practice being present. And that’s why WMC is so special to me. WMC is dedicated to providing mothers with the resources and tools to improve their work-life balance. Supporting women’s career goals while prioritizing family, leisure, and health, this conference addresses the most important issues facing working mothers. We feature female business experts, workshops, networking, and panel discussions, all designed to empower mothers to unapologetically remain in the workforce and conquer motherhood.

As a mother, I’m always thinking two steps ahead and in the past I would bear the weight of motherhood on my shoulders alone. The motto of WMC is easy: “You can do it all by yourself, but you don’t have to.” I have witnessed with my own eyes the power of community and the mothers that have made my vision a reality I owe this conference to.

Every year the conference moves around the nation uniting like-minded women for an inspiring weekend of connection, learning, laughter and an all around good time. Influential experts lead practical workshops on the issues that matter most to women, including leadership, career advancement, workplace equity and inclusion, health, work/life balance and more. There are a lot of women conferences and I encourage you to attend as many as you can, but there aren’t many that solely focus on the optics of a working mother.

The Working Mom Conference wants mothers to know: “You can be a good mom and a working mom. You are allowed to be both.”

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.”

Growing up, I learned to shield myself from the impact of harsh words, believing resilience was synonymous with emotional invulnerability. However, as I ventured into the challenging realm of entrepreneurship, I discovered the fallacy of this well-worn saying.

In the early stages of my business, I faced skepticism and criticism on social media. Initially, I brushed off the disparaging comments, adhering to the belief that they couldn’t penetrate my entrepreneurial armor. However, as WMC grew, so did the intensity of the scrutiny. Negative feedback and disparaging comments began to erode my confidence and enthusiasm.

Realizing the limitations of my emotional detachment, I decided to unlearn the childhood adage. I sought guidance from mentors, therapists, and fellow entrepreneurs who emphasized the importance of acknowledging the impact of words on one’s emotional well-being. Through introspection, I recognized that the strength I sought wasn’t in avoiding the hurtful words but in my ability to process and overcome them.

This unlearning process was transformative. I embraced vulnerability as a source of strength, allowing myself to acknowledge the emotional toll words could take while learning healthy coping mechanisms. I discovered that addressing the impact of negativity head-on, rather than deflecting it, led to more profound personal and professional growth.

As I opened myself to the vulnerability of being affected by words, I found a new kind of resilience—one grounded in authenticity and self-awareness. My business, too, benefited from this shift, as I became more attuned to constructive feedback, fostering a culture of open communication and continuous improvement. The unlearning of the old adage became a pivotal chapter in my entrepreneurial journey, demonstrating that true strength lies not in deflecting words but in embracing the lessons they carry.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

As a seasoned professional with a decade of analytics experience, I decided to venture into a completely new industry, lured by the excitement of innovation and challenge. As I stepped into my new role in information technology, I discovered an unexpected dynamic—my boss and team members were notably younger.

Initially, the generational gap seemed like a potential obstacle. The younger team members, bright and enthusiastic, brought fresh perspectives and embraced the latest trends. I, however, felt a pang of insecurity. Would my years of experience be seen as an asset or a relic?

My concerns dissolved as I embraced a mindset of collaboration and intentional training. Rather than letting age become a barrier, I leveraged my experience to mentor and guide my team in a skill I was familiar with, project management. In turn, I opened myself to learning from their technical approaches and troubleshooting skills. It became a symbiotic relationship where each member contributed unique strengths.

My boss, a vibrant leader who values inclusivity, recognized the strengths I brought to the team. Together, we forged a plan that would propel my career while giving me grace to gain technical skills.

As the projects unfolded, my initial worry transformed into admiration for the collective strength of our diverse team. We celebrated victories, navigated challenges, and created a work environment where age was irrelevant compared to the shared goal of success.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thewmconference.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workingmomconference/

Image Credits
Amy M. Photography