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At Zeno Group, ‘fearless’ is one of our core values. We embrace the unexpected and push the boundaries of traditional thinking. This year, Zeno moms (and moms everywhere) have been nothing short of fearless. 

While this past year has been challenging for everyone, moms carried an extra burden of balancing their careers from home, new remote school environments and increased domestic chores while navigating a global pandemic.

This year leading up to Mother’s Day, we checked in on some of our fearless Zeno moms from across the globe. These moms shared what their year has been like, and how they’ve been resilient – their stories are below. Earlier this year, Zeno EVP Jackie Cox Battles kicked off PRWeek’s ‘Femme Forward’ series sharing her story about being a mom in PR and the professional and personal challenges of surviving the pandemic. You can read her personal story here.

Thank you moms, for all that you do.  

Leslie Fogel – Vice President, Sports & Entertainment

This year has been exhausting yet amazing, mundane yet chaotic. The silver lining of this pandemic without question has been more quality time with my kids. Whether being able to pick them up at school or sneaking away for some lunch time laughs together, I’ve had a front row seat to watch them grow up this year. Sure, sometimes I’d love to take a call without them screaming in the background, but I realize how special it’s been to use this year to slow down and reconnect as a family.

Kelsey LeRose – Director, Influencer & Digital

Navigating the first year of motherhood during a global pandemic is not for the faint of heart. In addition to the normal worries that occupy the mind of a mother, isolation added a layer of complexity I could have never anticipated. It was challenging, rewarding, lonely and wonderful to be in a little bubble with my family. Rooting myself in the moment has been a daily practice to stay centered, focused and grateful. So, it’s a good thing when he smiles, I couldn’t be anywhere but present.

Karla Gonzalez - Account Supervisor

Not only did I have the opportunity to observe my daughter grow into a 4-year-old this last year, but she also had an opportunity to fully observe me. Spending so much time together over the last year made me realize just how much she’s a reflection of me. If I exhibited negative behavior, she’d pick up on that and copy me. I want her to be patient, match anger with control, and greet disappointment with determination. I want her to laugh, be brave and confident. I want her to love herself and be kind to others. But I had to want these things for myself first and lead by example. It’s changed the way I think and act, and it’s been so incredible being able to learn from one another.

Candi Kramer – Vice President, HR & Recruitment

Before the pandemic, I often felt motherhood was like learning to ride a bike again every few months – every time I thought I had “mastered” one aspect of motherhood and felt ‘I’ve got this,’ the kids throw something new at you. Nothing underscored that sentiment more than during the past year as I navigated so many unknowns and unfamiliar territory. This included remote schooling for my 8-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter and figuring out the online school schedule while printing out worksheets for the next day’s homework. We also had to explain why there were no playdates or basketball at the playground and cancellation of gymnastics practice and competitions, which was challenging for my daughter who lives and breathes gymnastics.

But during this time, we also made pillow forts and giggled when my son changed my daughter’s name with a less than desirable one for her Zoom online class. We ate dinner together as a family almost every night as my husband honed his cooking skills and explored new walking trails with our new puppy. We also learned how to truly enjoy time with each other and there's no one else I could wish to have by my side in the year of the unknown (although sometimes a little less by my side) than my family.