Architect

As I approached the conclusion of my second maternity leave in the spring of 2024, I chose to reach out to Mentor Mums and enrol in their mentoring program to help ease my transition back to work. While this wasn’t my first experience with maternity leave, I certainly felt the familiar anxiety of balancing life, work, and now two children—and understandably so. Around three quarters of women who return to work struggle to balance childcare and work (The HR Magazine) and up to 94% feel anxious in the lead up to it (The HR Director). 

Upon my return to work, my top priority was securing a stable future for myself and my family and joining Mentor Mums when Ayah was around 6 or 7 months old felt like the perfect step forward. I was fortunate to be paired with Juliana from JPP Consulting, a subsidiary of G. Brown Associates. As a specialist in performance and change management, Juliana combines her expertise with coaching and mentoring to help organisations accelerate growth and enhance business performance—primarily by empowering their greatest asset: their people.

From the moment we connected, Juliana’s support and compassion were truly remarkable. Our journey began over a shared cup of tea, where we exchanged warm introductions and delved into discussions about overcoming imposter syndrome, boosting self-confidence, setting boundaries, and navigating the challenges of work-life balance. Through her insight and encouragement, she made my return to work feel like an exciting and promising new chapter. Our sessions quickly became something I eagerly anticipated, as her guidance not only helped me find my footing but also inspired me to embrace my full potential.

However, just two sessions in, after initiating my Keep in Touch Days (KIT) at work, I fell ill. This had repercussions on many aspects of my life, leading to the unfortunate necessity of delaying my return to work.

I was scheduled to speak with Juliana when all of this started, and I informed her of what I was experiencing. She immediately reassured me to trust that everything would be okay and that she was there for me. I was truly amazed by her kindness and care in such a short time. I let her know I would need to postpone our meetings until my health improved. As always, she reassured me and said she would be there whenever I was ready to start again.

Months passed with increasing symptoms and numerous doctor visits, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of hormonal imbalance. With no clear explanation other than possible links to breastfeeding, low hormones, and being run down, I realised it was time to prioritise my well-being. As mothers, we often forget to take care of ourselves amidst the effort of keeping our families healthy. I decided to stop working and began my journey to recovery.

Throughout this time, Juliana supported me wholeheartedly. She would check in on me periodically, cheering me on and reminding me that I was strong enough to make it through.

After four long months, I began to see improvements. I even returned to work. Juliana and I caught up before I went back, she helped me prioritise my time and set boundaries with work, considering the demanding hours within the architectural industry. We explored my self-awareness through positive intelligence and identified my overriding saboteurs. We talked about how to address these emotions constructively and how to build my ‘brag’ folder to capture my achievements and developments. Additionally, we discussed enhancing my negotiation skills and managing my work environment positively.

I imagined this mentoring program would be straightforward—perhaps a straight line. However, it has been a winding, sometimes narrow road full of uncertainties and fears. Yet, I haven’t been alone. Juliana has been with me every step of the way, supporting me as a family member would. She has helped me accept this journey as part of my growth into both a professional and a mother. I’ve transformed, not just because I’m a mum, but due to postpartum challenges, recovery, struggles, and learning. Juliana has empowered me to navigate this journey and my work environment. I’m gradually becoming a “cup half full” person rather than “cup half empty,” and I eagerly anticipate where I’ll be by the end of our sessions together.

In recognition of the incredible journeys of both mentors and mentees, a special awards ceremony was recently held. To my surprise, I was honoured with the “Most Progress Made” award, thanks to Juliana’s gracious nomination. Looking back to the summer of 2024, I never could have imagined being in this position. The support and guidance I received played a huge role in my growth, helping me build confidence and navigate my path forward. With deep gratitude, I wanted to give back by sharing my experience and shining a light on the invaluable work that JPP Consulting does in empowering others to succeed.

“Thank you” hardly scratches the surface of my gratitude towards Juliana, nonetheless, thank you from the depths of my heart, I will be forever grateful to you and the kindness you have shown me and my family!