Empowering Working Parents
All around the world our employees, including thousands of working parents, effectively manage a career and home life every day. We work hard to provide the support, programs, and benefits they need to be successful as a caregiver and as a professional.
2018 Working Mother of the Year
Boston Scientific is honored to be named as one of the Working Mother “100 Best Companies” for the second consecutive year based on progress made since our 2017 placement in the areas of US-based leave policies, workforce representation, benefits, childcare, advancement programs, flexibility policies and more. Working Mother is a key benchmark survey that we use to evaluate our diversity and inclusion progress for women. Achieving a Top 10 ranking will support our 10/20/40 by 2020 goals.
Maria Stewart
Vice President, Global Health Economics and Market Access – Massachusetts
Maria was chosen as the Boston Scientific 2018 Working Mother of the Year for her ongoing commitment to supporting families in her community, the development of her team, and for always embodying our core value of Winning Spirit in the face of challenges.
2018 Top 50 Place to Work for New Dads
Meet More of our Working Parents
Dr. Bhavna Sapra
Business Unit Manager, Endoscopy, Urology and Pelvic Health | India
How motherhood helps her succeed at work:
“It has instilled in me a sense of responsibility and ownership of another life…[Motherhood] gave me the sense of being alert at all times and being watchful of all my actions that have a resulting impact on a life.”
How work successes have helped her succeed at motherhood:
“Our competitive work environment, with a high level of unpredictability, has helped me put my energy into managing ever-changing scenarios and to put resources to the task ahead of time. It has helped me manage my kids, too, by knowing I need to allocate resources and ask for help when I need it.”
Meaningful family moments:
“We’ve created a ritual to celebrate the birthday date of both my kids – the 10th and 29th – with a cake and a small celebration every month. This comes from the belief that we must create moments with our loved ones by doing things that are not too big but meaningful.”
Christine Ryan
Senior Product Manager, Rhythm Management | Minnesota
How she integrates life and work to feel fulfilled in both:
“I truly believe we create the best products for patients. This helps me be a better employee and mother since I am able to realize tangible successes at work and contribute to a broader good. This carries over into my happiness at home.”
The difference between being a leader at work and at home:
“Work allows an element of control that a house with a baby does not. Leading at work can be somewhat more predictable. At home, the baby rules and the best way to lead is trying to set an optimal schedule, while also recognizing it is subject to change.”
How motherhood helps her succeed at work:
“The first word that comes to mind is prioritization. In the past, it was easy to take on a 'do it all' work ethic. With a baby, it is nearly impossible. By prioritizing and focusing on the things that will truly move the needle, I have become more efficient, helping me impact the business in a more meaningful way.”
Susie Lisa
Vice President, Investor Relations | Massachusetts
How motherhood helps her succeed at work:
“As a working mom of three - including twins - I have a lot of practice prioritizing, executing efficiently, and communicating clearly and thoughtfully. I've developed more of the ability to be flexible and patient. Above all, watching my children grow and thrive makes me happy and grateful. They remind me that for the best ‘outcome,’ nothing beats continual, consistent, high-level effort over the long term.”
How work successes have helped her succeed at motherhood:
“The workplace discipline of setting priorities and executing ‘deliverables’ on time and to your best ability are incredibly applicable to parenting. Working for a company that transforms lives also certainly helps maintain perspective about what really matters in life, and gives me the chance to model for my children how much I value doing work that contributes real good in the world."
How she disconnects:
“Investors rarely disconnect, which can be a challenge for me. But I try to limit weekend work. When I have a window to disconnect, I can mentally flip a switch very quickly and be a friend, spouse, mom, tutor, etc. Getting outside and walking the dog is also a great way to disconnect immediately!”
Atsuko Maeda
Senior Manager, Total Rewards, Human Resources | Japan
How motherhood helps her succeed at work:
“Motherhood has helped me develop my coaching skills. One of my favorite things is coaching and mentoring my children and seeing them grow. I can apply the same skill set to work and help develop my team. It’s very rewarding at home and work.”
Her secret to success:
“No matter how busy you are at home and at work, stop thinking and make sure you’re having fun and always putting in 100 percent in both roles.”
Her biggest cheerleader:
“I’m currently taking a global assignment in Minnesota. My daughter is 12 years old now and said to me, ‘Mum, you can do it. I will be happy to support you as much as I can and I think you are so cool to take this opportunity. I want to see you work in the U.S.’”
Meaningful moments:
"Any time spent joking, laughing and talking to my family without the distraction of phones, computers and TVs."
Alla Postings
Financial Controller | United Kingdom
How she integrates life and work to feel fulfilled in both:
“There is no such thing as a perfect integration. I am fortunate to work for a company that promotes flexibility, and I try to pick up my kids from school once a week and spend time with them. The flexibility works both ways and if I have to stir dinner with one hand and write an email with the other, or work late in the evening at home as a result, that’s fine with me.”
Best work advice from her kids:
“'To chill' from my 15-year-old son. He is right, getting stressed doesn’t help get things done.”
How motherhood helps her succeed at work:
“My mother always worked, and being financially independent matters to me. Dealing with things as they happen and managing time pressures helps me prioritize and focus. You very quickly realize that you cannot possibly do everything, so you learn to compromise and ask for help when you need it.”
Lymari Aldea Gonzalez
Manufacturing Engineering Manager II | Puerto Rico
The biggest accomplishments in her career:
“I was recently on a short-term assignment at the Quincy, MA Distribution Center. After 13 years in the Dorado, Puerto Rico manufacturing facility, moving to a new site and a new country represented a challenge. As a single mom being able to adapt to this change together with my son and being successful in my career has been my biggest accomplishment.”
Meaningful moments:
“I have worked with my son all his life to help him interact with other kids. To my surprise, moving to the U.S. was the change he needed to help him make more friends in school. Seeing that transition was one of the happiest days of my life.”
How work success helped her succeed at motherhood:
“I love to lead by example. By being successful at what I do, I’m teaching my son to work hard and be committed. My career has also allowed me to show him new experiences like adapting and learning about a new culture.”
Kristen Hedstrom
Director, Health Economics and Market Access, Neuromodulation | California
How work success helped her succeed at motherhood:
“The best way I can describe it is mastering the art of being a chameleon. In my role, I interact with so many different audiences and each needs a different and appropriate approach. The same with motherhood, whether it is cook, medic, cheerleader, disciplinarian or counselor – each requires the ability to seamlessly (or at least that is the goal) change roles.”
The difference between being a leader at work and at home:
“Having three children with different interests and schedules, execution is critical – just like leading a team through various projects and deadlines. As a leader at work and at home, my two guiding principles are set clear expectations and it takes a great team to succeed!”
Best work advice from her kids:
“'Stop buying us t-shirts when you travel!' It is a win-win for all involved."
Sheryl King
Manager II, Software Engineering, Rhythm Management | Minnesota
The difference between being a leader at work and at home:
“In both, I lead by example. My actions are guided by my leadership philosophy of authenticity, respect for others, accountability, and integrity. I expect similar values from my team members, and even more so from my kids.”
Best work advice from her kids:
“From my daughter in a speech she gave at her 7th grade awards ceremony: 'Keep going even when it’s hard; follow through and don’t give up; and, always compete with your best self.'”
How motherhood helps her succeed at work:
“As any parent will tell you, you cannot raise each child exactly the same. After I became a mother the second time, I became more in-tune with each of my co-worker's differences. I attribute my success to the fact that I adjust my interactions with my co-workers based on their personality styles in the same way that I do with each of my kids.”
Donna Leahy
Production Unit Coordinator, Structural Heart | Ireland
How work success helped her succeed at motherhood:
“To succeed at work you need to be highly motivated and focused but also enjoy your work. With motherhood it’s similar. You need to be focused on getting your children ready for each stage of their lives, but also enjoy every moment along the way.”
How she integrates life and work to feel fulfilled in both:
“Through the years, I have brought my sons to numerous Boston Scientific Kiddies Parties and Family Days, which they really love. Plus, I am lucky to be surrounded by really good friends at work, who my family and I spend time with on the weekend.”
How she disconnects:
“When I leave the plant each evening, I spend my time in the car prioritizing my ‘to do’ list for the next day. But, from the minute I put the key in the door, it’s family time. As well as the obligatory dropping and collecting of the kids, I do a lot of walking in the evenings and love going to hurling matches."
Barbara Ratcliffe
Senior IT Business Administrator, IT Supply Chain | California
How motherhood helps her succeed at work:
“Ever since we found out we were about to bring new life into this world, it gave me my ‘big why!’ I know that the choices I make today will impact my family so I am more motivated to make better choices both at home and at work.”
Meaningful family moment:
“My two-year-old son came up with this chant, ‘Mommy, mama, and Jai Jai (Chinese word for son) - my family.’ Every time I hear it, I'm amazed how at a very young age he understands that love makes a family.”
Best work advice from her kids:
“My son hasn't directly given me work advice, but if he did he would say, ‘Maybe you need time out mommy.’ Sometimes we get so charged up at work being in back-to-back meetings, working on competing priorities and reaching deadlines that we don't give ourselves enough time to reflect or see if we are prioritizing our efforts appropriately.”
Christine Nectoux
Principal Analyst, Sales and Pricing Effectiveness | United Kingdom
How motherhood helps her succeed at work:
“Patience with children is critical to understand their needs and support them. The same rings true in the workplace; I invest the time to fully understand a particular issue or the needs of my customers to better support them.”
The difference between being a leader at work and at home:
“A good leader should be inspiring and a role model, while also providing support and guidance when needed. A good leader should also be receptive to the needs of others. Whether at work or at home, I feel all these traits are extremely relevant.”
How she juggles home and work:
“Flexibility and adaptability are critical. If I want to see my sons' sporting or school events, I will organize my work accordingly. Likewise, an important work meeting might mean that a family commitment needs to be re-arranged.”