“The process of investing so much time and energy on myself to develop a vision for my life and career was transformative. I personally have found that the time/effort I've spent on MotherMind is far outweighed by the dividends to my personal and professional development. There wasn't a specific session or activity that was better than the rest for me - it was the overall gestalt of coming into these meetings and approaching these (sometimes difficult) topics with intention, vulnerability, and curiosity that was truly invigorating. I’ve become more aware of my self-limiting beliefs and now challenge myself to move beyond them. And I personally really appreciated the one-on-one coaching sessions. During these sessions I was able to take what I learned from previous sessions to focus on maximizing my time to learn, which is a skill I would love to pass on to my mentees.” 

- Dr. Andreana Benitez, PhD, Associate Professor of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina

“Participating in MotherMind has fundamentally shifted how I view the intersection of motherhood and my career. Before, I often saw my responsibilities as a mother and my work as a scientist as being in constant competition. Through MotherMind, I’ve learned to embrace both roles as integral parts of who I am, rather than feeling like I have to choose or compartmentalize. I’ve also become more intentional about setting boundaries, prioritizing self-compassion, and advocating for systemic change that supports working parents in academia. This experience has empowered me to speak more openly about the realities of being a scientist-mother and to support others who are navigating similar paths.”

- Dr. Elinette M. Albino, MT, PhD, MSc, Assistant Professor, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus

“What resonated most with me during the MotherMind experience was the shared wisdom, through articles, podcasts, and Amery’s presentations. I loved the curated collection of ideas and strategies. And the community is so valuable as well—just getting to share joy and hear that my struggles are common and not just my own. The program helped solidify ideas I’d encountered before, like protecting my time and being a good coach, while also introducing new insights, such as being more strategic with career goals through networking, self-promotion, and creating opportunities. I loved the peer coaching and the opportunity to practice coaching skills. That gave me the chance to really talk through the concepts and figure out how they will work for me.”

- Dr. Kristina Bridges, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Kansas Medical Center

“There were moments of insights during coaching that were probably the most meaningful part of this experience. Insights like, "you identify creativity as one of your most important values, but you don't seem excited about doing creative things," and, "you're allowed to take a day off work to take care of a sick kiddo if that is the kind of mother you want to be." I think why these were most meaningful is they were very personalized to me and what I needed to hear at the time. These moments truly shifted my perspective. I’ve started valuing my time more and being much more intentional about what I take on versus what I delegate. The sessions on identifying and living into core values and on ruthlessly reclaiming your time  left the biggest impressions. I was starting to self-sabotage in "if I just multi-task more I'll be able to do all of the things I need to," and there were some really critical points of reflection in these sessions.”

- Dr. Jennifer Zellers, PT, DPT, PhD, Assistant Professor, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

“What stood out most in my MotherMind experience was the sense of validation, knowing I was not alone in the way I was feeling. I also appreciated having concrete tools and steps to shift my daily habits and move toward my goals. Since the program, I feel more confident and have a clearer sense of my own knowledge, direction, and boundaries. I’m better at saying no and protecting my time. The one-to-one coaching was especially helpful, while the weekly tasks kept me motivated to take meaningful action.”

- Dr. Brae Anne McArthur, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Calgary

“The most impactful parts of the MotherMind experience for me were the community, learning from each other, gaining coaching tools, and embracing curiosity. It has made me realize that we are ALL in this together and that my struggles are very similar to those of my female research colleagues around the country. Every part of the program felt supportive and empowering.”

- Dr. Nancy Stewart, DO, MS, Assistant Professor, University of Kansas Medical Center

“Being surrounded by purposeful women in MotherMind was incredibly inspiring. It reminded me that I’m not alone in the challenges I face as a scientist and a mother—and it helped me recognize how much I’ve actually accomplished. The structured reflection, especially working through the coaching map and clarifying my values, gave me clarity and confidence. Peer coaching was a powerful part of the experience—it fueled my growth and helped me see myself in a new, more empowered way.”

- Adriana Queiroz, Ph.D, Assistant Professor, University of Kansas Medical Center

“Hearing from others who share similar struggles and values was incredibly empowering. It made me feel less alone in balancing academia and motherhood and gave me a toolkit to lean on. The combination of the content and group discussions was the most supportive part, providing both practical tools and a sense of connection.”

- Dr. Jennifer Shuldiner, PhD, Scientist, Women’s College Hospital Research and Innovation Institute

“One of the most powerful parts of the MotherMind experience for me was having dedicated time to reflect on what I truly want in the next steps of my career and how to carve out space for the work that matters most to me. It helped me become much more committed to planning my time with intention. Connecting with a community of others facing similar challenges felt incredibly supportive and empowering.”

- Dr. Stephanie Samuels, MD, Assistant Professor, Yale School of Medicine

“MotherMind has helped me see that I can be more effective, and happy at work, by aligning my personal values with my workplace values. I will be more intentional about this moving forward. The peer coaching was helpful—to get insights from others and reflect on your own experiences in a group setting with others having similar experiences. I also really enjoyed the executive interview exercise. It gave me a lot of perspective about my own career.”

- Dr. Melissa Eggen, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, University of Louisville

“Through MotherMind, I learned to manage my time more effectively, believe in myself, and set realistic goals without overextending. The experience helped me find time for myself without feeling guilty, and to value myself professionally. Through the program, I gave myself permission to take time to be creative again. The coaching sessions were especially empowering, helping me grow and prioritize my professional self while still honoring my other responsibilities.”

- Dr. Janaina Alves, PhD, Assistant Professor, Universidad Central del Caribe-School of Medicine