Last year’s Market Like a Mother recipients were honored amid a stark reality: Hundreds of thousands of women had left the workforce over the course of COVID-19, the mark of a sluggish pandemic recovery marred by inconsistent school re-openings and sporadic quarantines that disproportionately affected the careers of working moms.

The present paints a rosier picture. As of Jan. 2023, women’s employment in the U.S. has recovered to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Center for American Progress’ analysis of U.S. Department of Labor statistics. And regarding parents in particular, 993,000 more moms were in the workforce in Dec. 2022 than the year prior.

But as this year’s MLAM honorees attest, in light of new remote- and hybrid-work models that offer increased flexibility for employees across the board, regardless of gender or parenting status, the conversation has shifted toward the quality of support within today’s work culture. From family benefits, including childcare discounts and fertility services, to adequate parental leave for mothers and piloting four-day work weeks.

Because frankly, not providing workplace benefits and support has business ramifications. According to the latest “Women in the Workplace” report from McKinsey and LeanIn.org, women leaders are leaving companies at unprecedented numbers, and switching jobs at higher rates than their male counterparts. This stat in particular is telling: For every woman at the director level who gets promoted, two women directors are leaving their organizations.

For top-performing companies, or those aspiring to be, this should serve as a wake-up call. Take it from these 16 trailblazers, who are shining examples of why working moms deserve recognition—and workplace support—for leading their teams as well as their families. Please join us in celebrating their impressive accomplishments, hilarious anecdotes and steal-worthy suggestions on how to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture for working mothers—and employees at large.

Kaylee Hultgren
Editor
Chief Marketer

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