Recently asked “why” Parents on Leave Pty Ltd was formed, Sheena commented:

“The Parents on Leave™ Program idea came first, and the company name naturally followed. We wanted to provide an intellectually stimulating environment for new parents to continue to focus purposefully on their career aspirations, at a time when other naturally occurring priorities can overwhelm and career paths can be diverted or disrupted. 

We want our participants to return to work feeling as confident as possible about their ability to resume their careers, within the context of their new family priorities. Catherine and I also both fully understand the imperatives of sustainable (and unbroken) organisational talent strategy, I&D focus and succession management.  

The Parents on Leave™ Program complements and adds value to our clients’ other strategic initiatives in these areas, and raises the bar as a highly pragmatic, motivational, purpose-driven career management offering – to help assure career continuity and a seamless re-entry to work for participants, when the time comes.”

Catherine added:

“We also wanted to do something exceptional in our area of expertise to help address ‘gender equity’. Simply put, We are both determined to help others succeed; to nurture talent and ensure individuals who take parental leave are not disadvantaged over the course of their career.

This is important and rewarding work for us as talent executives and we both view this as a highly personal and motivating way to continue our work in these areas. Over many years, we have both seen the consequences of less than optimal career resumption events – derailment, demotivation, mis-guided stereotyping, and confidence challenges. All of which can, and should be, avoided”.