Kundra

• Episode 10 — From Ambition to Advocacy: Navigating Maternity Leave Without Losing Career Momentum

  What does it take to grow your career at a global tech company while navigating maternity leave - twice?In this episode of the Kundra Podcast, Theresa sits down with Deepa Mensinkai, Director of Product Marketing at LinkedIn, to unpack her journey from consulting into tech and the lessons she’s learned as a working mom.Inside this conversation, you’ll discover:How Deepa planned her first maternity leave while leading a U.S.-based team from CanadaWhat happened when she returned to a changed role - and the hit to her confidenceWhy self-advocacy is critical for career growth during parental transitionsHow she’s preparing differently for her second leave with clearer goals and sponsorsWhat HR leaders and managers can do to make reboarding more effectiveWhether you’re a working parent, a team leader, or an HR decision-maker, this episode offers real strategies for balancing ambition and parenthood.In this episode we cover:00:00 Deepa’s Career Journey - From Consulting to LinkedIn04:47 Planning Her First Maternity Leave - Setting Up for Success08:31 Returning to a Changed Role - and Rebuilding Confidence12:48 Lessons in Self-Advocacy and Career Conversations20:52 Preparing Differently for a Second Leave27:00 What Companies and Managers Can Do BetterAbout KundraKundra is building the future of parental leave.We believe ambition and parenthood can thrive together - and we are the only platform that turns parental leave from an unpredictable cost to a structured investment.We’re have limited pilot spots for companies ready to rethink parental leave. If you’d like to see how Kundra can support your teams, email [email protected] for a demo.Want more from each episode?Subscribe to Kundra Notes for insights, recaps, and HR toolkitsFollow Kundra on LinkedIn for product updates and thought leadershipFollow Kundra on Instagram for stories, quotes, and behind-the-scenes

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• Episode 9 — From Investment Banker to Parental-Leave Coach: Patterns Every Leader Should Know

  After hundreds of parental-transition coaching conversations, which common insights drive retention and performance?In this episode of the Kundra Podcast, Theresa sits down with Rita Bouzaid—Paris-based consultant, former investment banker, and founder of Empowerment—coaching men and women on reintegrating and excelling in their careers after becoming parents. Drawing on her deep expertise at the nexus of leadership and family life, Rita reveals why parental leave must be treated as a strategic transition, not a personal interruption, and how companies can turn it into a talent-boosting advantage.Inside this conversation, you’ll discover:Patterns in Parental Transitions: The recurring identity shifts and confidence dips that returning parents face—and how to anticipate them.Strategic Reboarding Blueprints: Why a one-size-fits-all checklist fails, and how to design tailored reboarding plans that stick.Importance of Manager Support: How empowering managers with scripts, training, and check-ins transforms the return-to-work experience.Policy Pitfalls to Avoid: The top three missteps companies make when designing leave and return programs.Why ignoring fathers undercuts cultureWhether you’re an HR director, team leader, or working parent mapping your next career move, Rita’s insights will help you transform parental transitions into moments of growth, retention, and stronger team performance.In this episode we’ll cover:00:00 Intro to Rita01:05 From Investment Banking to Parenthood Coaching03:46 Identity Shifts & Confidence Dips: Common Challenges for Returning Parents06:23 Where Companies Go Wrong: Treating Leave as a Pause, Not a Transition08:48 Bridging Process & People: Human-Centric Transition10:12 The 3-Step Framework: Anticipate → Accompany → Anchor15:17 Case Study: Four-Month Reboarding Plan That Ended in a Promotion24:17 Manager Playbook & Final Advice: Silence, Pace, AmbitionAbout KundraKundra is currently in active discovery and prototyping — and this podcast is part of that journey.We’re speaking to founders, HR leaders, and working parents to better understand what support looks like when ambition meets parenting.The companies that will lead tomorrow are building equity into their foundations today.If you're shaping that future — or want to help us build the tools that support it — we’d love to hear from you.—Want practical takeaways from every episode?Subscribe to Kundra Notes for insights, episode recaps, and HR toolkits you can use right nowFollow Kundra on LinkedIn for product updates and thought leadershipFollow Kundra on Instagram for quotes, behind-the-scenes, and daily moments

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• Episode 8 — From London to NYC & Back: How an Executive Director Navigated Motherhood in Top-Tier Banking

  What happens when a senior finance leader navigates pregnancy in one of the world’s most demanding banking cultures?In this episode of the Kundra Podcast, Theresa sits down with Hemi — Executive Director at JPMorgan and working mother who’s built her career across London and New York. Hemi shares her candid journey through pregnancy in a high-performance finance environment, from her bold request to work from home to the micro-stress of negotiating informal leave policies, all the way to her vision for a dedicated parent business resource group. Along the way, she reveals how proactive flexibility, transparent communication, and inclusive workplace policies empower working mothers (and all parents) to thrive without sacrificing career momentum.If you’re a finance leader, HR professional, or working parent seeking real-world insights on parental leave, career advancement, and building a truly parent-first workplace, this episode is your blueprint.In this episode we cover:00:00 Intro to Hemi01:12 Crossing Cultures: London ↔ New York Journey08:13 Planning for Parental Leave & Handover Practices09:40 Early Pregnancy in High-Performance Finance23:44 A Parent Business Resource Group25:43 Asking for Support: Flexibility & Accommodations30:06 Advice for Leaders & Closing ThoughtsAbout KundraKundra is currently in active discovery and prototyping — and this podcast is part of that journey.We’re speaking to founders, HR leaders, and working parents to better understand what support looks like when ambition meets parenting.The companies that will lead tomorrow are building equity into their foundations today.If you're shaping that future — or want to help us build the tools that support it — we’d love to hear from you.—Want practical takeaways from every episode?Subscribe to Kundra Notes for insights, episode recaps, and HR toolkits you can use right nowFollow Kundra on LinkedIn for product updates and thought leadershipFollow Kundra on Instagram for quotes, behind-the-scenes, and daily moments

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• Episode 7 — From Planning to Reboarding: How This Manager Got Parental Leave Right — Without Being a Parent

  What if you could manage a team member’s parental leave in a way that supports people and drives performance — even if you’re not a parent yourself?In this episode of the Kundra Podcast, Theresa sits down with Marion, Head of Product Marketing at Yousign — a high-growth SaaS company based in Paris — for a first-of-its-kind conversation. Unlike other episodes that center around the experience of becoming a parent, this one flips the perspective: Marion isn’t a parent, but she’s a people-first leader who successfully managed a senior team member’s maternity leave.She shares the exact steps she took to plan ahead, secure budget for external support, maintain team performance, and ensure a smooth re-onboarding that helped her team member return with confidence — and outperform within a quarter. From company-wide support structures to manager-led empathy, Marion proves that treating parental leave as a normal part of business leads to better outcomes for everyone.If you’re an HR leader, department head, or founder who wants to future-proof your culture and operations — this episode is your blueprint.In this episode we cover:00:00 Intro to Marion03:48 Yousign’s Culture of Proactive Parental Support07:41 Managing Maternity Leave: What She Did as a Manager09:53 Hiring Help vs. Scaling Back: How Marion Made the Call12:23 Re-Onboarding that Actually Works24:38 Recognition, Promotion, and Trusting People26:52 Advice for Managers: Why Planning is Everything31:10 Final Thoughts: Rethinking What Good Leadership Looks LikeAbout KundraKundra is currently in active discovery and prototyping — and this podcast is part of that journey.We’re speaking to founders, HR leaders, and working parents to better understand what support looks like when ambition meets parenting.The companies that will lead tomorrow are building equity into their foundations today.If you're shaping that future — or want to help us build the tools that support it — we’d love to hear from you.—Want practical takeaways from every episode?Subscribe to Kundra Notes for insights, episode recaps, and HR toolkits you can use right nowFollow Kundra on LinkedIn for product updates and thought leadershipFollow Kundra on Instagram for quotes, behind-the-scenes, and daily moments

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• Episode 6 - From Maternity Leave to Two Promotions: How Spotify Got It Right

  What happens when a company treats parental leave as a strategic investment — not a disruption? In this episode of the Kundra Podcast, Theresa is joined by Celine, Director of Sales at Spotify and mom of two, who shares the first truly positive parental leave experience we’ve heard. After years in media agencies, Celine joined Spotify and later took maternity leave with her second child. What followed was rare: a smooth handover, protected career momentum, outstanding business results and not one — but two promotions after her return. We talk about what made the difference: A proactive manager who advocated for herClear ownership over offboarding and reboardingA culture that backs flexibilityIf you're a leader, future parent, HR professional, or someone building a career while building a family — this conversation is your blueprint. Listen now to learn how parental leave, done right, can become a leadership accelerator — not a career risk. In this episode we cover:00:00 Celine’s Career Path 04:07 Maternity Leave as a Career Wake-Up Call 08:12 What Made Spotify Different 13:18 Designing Her Own Offboarding — and Feeling Calm 16:20 Returning With Confidence — and Getting Promoted 21:31 What Support Actually Looks Like 25:38 Why Culture Drives Loyalty and Results About KundraKundra is currently in active discovery and prototyping — and this podcast is part of that journey.We’re speaking to founders, HR leaders, and working parents to better understand what support looks like when ambition meets parenting.The companies that will lead tomorrow are building equity into their foundations today.If you're shaping that future — or want to help us build the tools that support it — we’d love to hear from you.—Want practical takeaways from every episode? Subscribe to Kundra Notes for insights, episode recaps, and HR toolkits you can use right now Follow Kundra on LinkedIn for product updates and thought leadership Follow Kundra on Instagram for quotes, behind-the-scenes, and daily moments

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