With Mother’s Day approaching, it’s time to celebrate not only maternal affection and dedication but also to recognize the impact motherhood has on different spheres of life, including the professional field. Considering the technology sector, more and more women balance the challenges of raising children with their careers in a dynamic and ever-changing environment.
According to a 2023 survey conducted by the consulting firm Elliott Scott HR Brazil, 69% of working mothers with children in early childhood believe professional growth is slower compared to those who are not mothers. The data reinforces the obstacles still faced by mothers in the corporate world, especially in highly competitive and typically male-dominated fields.
Even so, many of these protagonists have turned motherhood into a powerful source of learning, resilience, and leadership. In this scenario, mothers working in the tech market share how the experience of motherhood directly influenced their professional journeys. Check it out:
Maria Fernanda Antunes Junqueira — Founder of CUPONATION
“Motherhood taught me to prioritize what truly matters, to stop procrastinating, and to set boundaries more clearly. Taking care of my children and dealing with the daily challenges of this role made me more resilient and prepared for the unexpected. I learned that we don’t have control over everything, and that’s okay. I focused on what was within my reach and started trusting my team and support network more, which opened space for new ideas and more creative solutions.”
Renata Khaled — Vice President of Sales at Tuna Payments
Motherhood brought profound challenges and learnings for Renata Khaled, who saw her career transform after the birth of her daughter Ísis in 2015. Upon returning from maternity leave, the executive decided to seek new paths and worked for a major marketplace, where she led the hunting department. “The double shift required organization and resilience, especially as a single mother, but it also led me to prioritize efficiency and autonomy at work,” says the current Vice President of Sales at Tuna.
Despite facing prejudices, such as the suggestion to ‘avoid hiring mothers,’ she found support and much of her career after her daughter’s birth, where transparency about her family routine was valued. Today, she leads a predominantly female team, proudly including mothers of young children. “The empathy I found helps me a lot in management. For me, concern for family comes above any goal,” she emphasizes. “Seeing these women grow professionally fills me with pride, especially when they create meaningful memories with their children. The example inspires and multiplies—we’re raising resilient women who will naturally empower others in the future,” she concludes.
Camila Shimada — Head of Marketing and Human Resources at Lerian
Mother of four young children, Camila highlights how motherhood shaped her leadership vision: “Being a mother taught me that time is a precious resource—and that caring is a powerful form of leadership. Motherhood brought me more attentive listening, a more sensitive view of people, and a different urgency for daily decisions. At work, this translates into real empathy, a desire to include, and a sharp intuition about what needs attention now—and what can wait.”
The executive, who throughout her journey as a mother has worked at several large marketing companies, emphasizes how the dynamism of motherhood prepared her for the challenges of the tech world. “Balancing routine with the pace of a startup is never simple, but it’s precisely this dynamism that strengthens me. I learned to be more flexible, creative, and present. Motherhood didn’t take me away from my career; it deepened me into it and brought perspectives I apply daily. Building more humane and welcoming environments is also a way to care for the future I want for my children,” she concludes.
Maísa Amaral — co-founder and Head of Legal and Compliance at Lerian
Maísa also found in technology an ally to balance career and motherhood. “It was precisely after motherhood that I understood how much the technology sector could be an ally in keeping my career active without sacrificing presence in my children’s routine. The real possibility of working remotely made me seek more space in this sector—I specialized, changed paths when needed, and today I make a point of staying in this ecosystem that offers more flexibility and autonomy,” she says.
Beyond professional adaptation, she highlights a greater purpose. The Head of Legal and Compliance at Lerian believes that being a mother made her take a personal commitment to building more balanced work environments. “I advocate for remote work, flexible hours, and a culture based on trust and results. And working in the tech sector, I also take care to think about how we use the tools we create: that they serve people, not the other way around,” she concludes.
Simone Gasperin – Partner & Head of Marketing and Growth at BPool
For Simone, motherhood brought not only personal transformations but also changes in how she views her career. “Motherhood transformed me—as a person and as a professional. I became more aware of who I am, what I can build, and, with the same clarity, my limitations. I learned (and continue learning every day) to better manage my time, my choices, and not to leave myself for later. Being a mother is living the deepest love that exists—and also the most intense responsibility. It’s a daily exercise of presence, courage, and balance,” she concludes.
