More Than 85 Broads

As women lead increasingly global lives both professionally and personally, a strong network can literally become an extended family community for current and future parents to draw on when making these decisions. The challenge for companies and workplaces is not just to formulate policies or programs that result in this elusive work-life balance, but to create work environments and cultures that allow women to make individual decisions that are right for them in strong partnership with their managers, spouses, children, and other people in their lives.

Deborah Buresh Jackson

Deborah Jackson’s high school guidance counselor encouraged her to take typing instead of math, because for a woman, typing guaranteed employment. But Deborah had a different career path in mind. She eventually graduated from Columbia Business School, landed a job at Goldman Sachs, and 10 years later founded Artemis Capital with a group of female coworkers. But while her career was soaring her personal life was sinking. Her 13-year marriage came to an end when her husband announced he was gay, and Deborah became a single mom. Life as she knew it would change dramatically as she became not only the custodial parent but also bore all of the financial responsibility of raising her daughters on her own.

Vision is key. If you don't have one, it is like driving a car without a destination.