2019
Maggie Gilmore
Tax Managing Director
Columbus
Lori Morelli
Sr. Director, Marketing & Sales Enablement Leader
Los Angeles
Nicole Lawton-Scott
Office Administrator
Philadelphia
Carla Wilder
Managing Director
Houston
2018
2016
2017
Maggie Gilmore
Tax Managing Director
Columbus
Catherine Moy
Chief People Officer
Boston
2012
Jennifer Puterman
Assurance Risk Management Partner
Greater Washington, D.C.
2013
Julie Valpey
Partner, Head of Global Offerings & Support Services
NYC
2014
Josephine Aldir
Tax Managing Director
Miami
2015
Josephine Aldir
Tax Managing Partner
Miami
Lori Morelli
Sr. Director, Marketing & Sales Enablement Leader
Los Angeles
of the
Year
Carla Wilder
Managing Director
Houston
Nicole Lawton-Scott
Office Administrator
Philadelphia
Julie Valpey
Partner, Head of Global Offerings & Support Services
NYC
Catherine Moy
Chief People Officer
Boston
Jennifer Puterman
Assurance Risk Management Partner
Greater Washington, D.C.
Maggie Gilmore
Tax Managing Director
Columbus
Now
2019
You can read more about Maggie
and her professional journey in her
2019 Working Mother of the Year profile.
Whenever I have needed flexibility to be available for my family, the flexibility was there. Our team, and leadership, is very supportive of me and each other.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT HOW BDO HAS SUPPORTED YOU AS A WORKING PARENT?
Daily flex, for sure. I am able to get my work handled and have the flexibility to take care of the little things that pop up.
WHAT BDO PROGRAM, POLICY OR RESOURCE HAS BEEN MOST HELPFUL FOR YOU IN NAVIGATING YOUR CAREER AS A WORKING PARENT? WHY?
The part I like during this pandemic challenge is having more casual time with my 16-year-old son. We went from a super-charged daily schedule of work, school and travel hockey, to a grinding halt. We now get more hang out time that isn't tangential to another purpose.
WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE TO BE A WORKING MOTHER DURING THE PANDEMIC?
Lori Morelli
Sr. Director, Marketing and Sales Enablement Leader
Los Angeles
Now
2018
You can read more about Lori and
her professional journey in her
2018 Working Mother of the Year profile.
They taught me to slow down, be present, listen with an empathetic ear and show interest (refraining from advice unless asked). This has worked to strengthen our bonds AND has worked well in my professional relationships!
Are there any lessons that your child (or children) taught you that you’ve applied in your day-to-day as a BDO professional?
Wake up, kick butt, repeat!
Coffee with my husband on the back patio at 7 a.m. (favorite time of day)
Plan dinner and set priorities for the day
Exchange emails, do dishes, host virtual calls, make progress on projects, clean house, more virtual meetings, laundry, finish a few projects, touch base with team members, hike with family, cook dinner, eat dinner with family (daily ritual for as long as I can remember), wash dishes, wrap-up emails and review calendar for next day
Beer with my husband on back patio at 7 p.m.
(2nd favorite time of day)
Binge watch The Durrells in Corfu, a British comedy-drama
What does a typical day look like for you?
My youngest child graduated high school and has since completed her first year of college (at my MBA alma matter) studying civil engineering. All three young adults are working and two are attending college. I couldn’t be prouder of their work ethics and adaptability to our new reality working and attending online classes from home. Their compassion for others during this turbulent and uncertain time is also admirable.
Since being recognized as BDO’s Working Mother of the Year, are there any milestones that stand out – either personally or professionally – that you are particularly proud of?
Carla Wilder
Managing Director
Houston
Now
2017
You can read more about Carla and
her professional journey in her
2017 Working Mother of the Year profile.
I still struggle a bit with managing work life balance, but I'm a work in progress. My advice to myself would be to figure it out sooner than later; old habits are hard to break.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself about the first few years of adjusting to being a working parent?
Becoming an instant stay-at-home, home-schooling, "working" mom was often challenging. Trying to stay on top of client work, managing staff and determining if and how my 4th grade daughter was keeping up on her school work (including where she should do her work) was very difficult. Over time, I was able to get my work-from-home set up in working condition. I was finally able to see that I raised an independent daughter that was able to take care of her busy schedule without a lot of hand-holding (but it was a learning experience for both of us). We developed a daily schedule together and she respected when mommy had to be on calls and meetings throughout the day. It actually created a greater bond between me and the family. From time to time we would take lunch breaks to go walking or bike riding. It definitely changed the game.
What has it been like to be a Working Mother during the pandemic?
Sending my son to college where he participated in a number of theatre and film productions. Working with my husband to start his own trucking business. Continuing to support my daughter in dance and Taekwondo (she's now a red belt). These moments continue to remind me how important family involvement is.
One significant milestone that has affected us all over the last few months is the death of George Floyd. This moment has caused us more than ever to reflect on the issues facing Black lives and the systemic racism that continues to exist. I am grateful for the many blessings and protections God has granted my family and me. He has protected my son in more ways than one, as he experienced racism and prejudice while in college this past Fall. It was one of the hardest moments of my life and a reminder that knowledge is king! It was important (yet unfortunate) that I reiterate to both my children their importance in this world regardless of what others think. I say to them, “you have a purpose and you use that purpose to the best of your ability to do right, so that right will follow you.”
Since being recognized as BDO’s Working Mother of the Year, are there any milestones that stand out – either personally or professionally – that you are particularly proud of?
Nicole Lawton-Scott
Office Administrator
Philadelphia
Now
2016
You can read more about Nicole
and her professional journey in her
2016 Working Mother of the Year profile.
The flexibility has been a blessing for me as I navigate my role as an office administrator and find balance in my personal life. I've worked with a great group of people over the past nine years and all of these factors have created a great opportunity for me to be successful.
What BDO program, policy or resource has been most helpful for you in navigating your career as a working parent? Why?
Being a working mother during the pandemic has presented some challenges as two of my children are still school-aged. But my husband and I work together to find balance and make it work. I am a big advocate for taking time for me when I'm feeling overwhelmed or faced with pressure. And I'm able to do that because he has my back and we're able to navigate through these challenges together.
What has it been like to be a Working Mother during the pandemic?
Since sharing my story about my son’s brain tumor diagnosis and treatment when I was named “Working Mother of the Year” in 2016, he has graduated high school and is currently a junior in college majoring in Communications/Journalism. He’s physically doing well and has surpassed our expectations. He is actively pursuing his short and long term goals and dreams, really focusing on the things that make him happy. And we will continue to support him in these efforts.
Since being recognized as BDO’s Working Mother of the Year, are there any milestones that stand out – either personally or professionally – that you are particularly proud of?
Josephine Aldir
Tax Managing Director
Miami
Now
2015
You can read more about Josephine
and her professional journey in her
2015 Working Mother of the Year profile.
Day-to-day flex culture has been the most helpful throughout my career at BDO. As a working parent, this flexibility has allowed me to spend time with the family when I need to help in the "it's due tomorrow" science project, attend a school function/zoom meeting or take my senior to her senior portrait photo shoot. Whichever the case may be, BDO's focus on flexible working has allowed me to participate with my family while still meeting client commitments.
What BDO program, policy or resource has been most helpful for you in navigating your career as a working parent? Why?
At times it has been very challenging when everyone in the household has different needs and wants. Planning for the week and scheduling out everyone's work, activities and even meal planning is what makes the day fly by. When working in an environment that allows you to constantly be connected to technology from the time you roll out of bed to the time you go to sleep, it is important to have scheduled times to step away from your computer to just spend time with the family.
What has it been like to be a Working Mother during the pandemic?
In December 2018, Mr. Aldir and I officially tied the knot. From a personal standpoint I've started a new and exciting chapter in my life as I continue to help raise and provide guidance to our wonderful blended family.
Since being recognized as BDO’s Working Mother of the Year, are there any milestones that stand out – either personally or professionally – that you are particularly proud of?
Julie Valpey
Partner, Head of Global Offerings & Support Services
New York City
Now
2014
You can read more about Julie
and her professional journey in her
2014 Working Mother of the Year profile.
A funny moment was when I was in Vancouver on a business trip. I of course had told all my kids I would be away on business, but being teenagers at the time, they didn't always listen. One evening, my son called my cell. It was evening in Vancouver so late night in New York. He asked if I would make him a peanut butter sandwich. I said "honey, I'd love to, but I'm out of the country - ask dad!" I had to roll my eyes on that one!
Any funny (or embarrassing) working parent moments that you now laugh about looking back on?
We have a special needs child; we were told it would be unlikely he would graduate high school or live independently. He has accomplished both through hard work and just sticking with it no matter how hard it got. The success he has achieved through his perseverance has been a great lesson for me - and also, that you should never underestimate someone's potential.
Are there any lessons that your child (or children) taught you that you’ve applied in your day-to-day as a BDO professional?
All of my children have graduated high school, some have graduated college and all have gone on to lead independent, productive lives. I am proud of each of them and consider helping to develop our children into the great adults they have become my husband and my's greatest achievement.
Since being recognized as BDO’s Working Mother of the Year, are there any milestones that stand out – either personally or professionally – that you are particularly proud of?
Jennifer Puterman
Assurance Risk
Management Partner
Greater Washington, D.C.
Now
2013
You can read more about Jennifer
and her professional journey in her
2013 Working Mother of the Year profile.
To just 'go with it' more!
Are there any lessons that your child (or children) taught you that you’ve applied in your day-to-day as a BDO professional?
Just be cool about it, because everyone else is in the same situation; worry less about what others think. As long as you are being successful and others around you are satisfied with your work/production, it will be okay!
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself about the first few years of adjusting to being a working parent?
Challenging. There have been, clearly, more responsibilities to manage during the day. Luckily, we have the ability to be flexible with our work and schedule, in order to get it all done. That said, it's been exhausting. But, as any change presents itself, we adapt!
What has it been like to be a Working Mother during the pandemic?
Catherine Moy
Chief People Officer
Boston
Now
2012
You can read more about Catherine
and her professional journey in her
2012 Working Mother of the Year profile.
All the informal ones...smart people who care enough to give me their counsel, share what they know and extend their relationships to me.
What BDO program, policy or resource has been most helpful for you in navigating your career as a working parent? Why?
We've had more family dinners than we did in the 20 years before that with everyone home and no external commitments. Such a joyful silver lining. I feel like my mom yelling 'wash up for supper!' LOL.
What has it been like to be a Working Mother during the pandemic?
Wait...someone has a typical day?
What does a typical day look like for you?