The Roche Report

I've been thinking about doing this post for a while as this was one of the things that gave me the most anxiety about going back to work. As with my other post about breastfeeding, I felt a bit awkward posting this; but since it was something I worried a lot about, I figured posting about my experiences might be helpful for others. As I shared in another post, I was never someone who had particular goals around breastfeeding; actually, I thought I would basically hate it ( more here ). However, I gave it a try, and found that it was something that worked well for me - especially during my maternity leave. In preparing to come back to work -- especially as someone who travels a lot for work or often works at client sites, I was very worried what it would be like breastfeeding and having to pump while traveling or at a client site. Would it be awful? Would I be able to do it? Would it be awkward? Where would I pump? How would I get out of meetings? To be honest, I basically thou...

Two weeks before I came back to work from my maternity leave, I received a text from my boss, Shannon, to check my email -- only to receive an email from Ginni, our CEO, congratulating me for being recognized as part of the 2018 class of Best of IBM. For those not familiar with this distinction, it is an award given annually to the top 1,000 IBMers that culminates in a trip for you and your spouse to a lovely tropical location with lots of cool perks (new sunglasses, Nick Jonas, getting to see Q - the Quantum computer, Nick Jonas, amazing dinners, Nick Jonas, etc.). I wanted to do a post on the weekend -- and my takeaways from it -- I also wanted to take a moment to reflect on this pinnacle achievement in my career. In front of the IBM Quantum Computer - "Q" Since learning that there was something called "Best of IBM" - it is a recognition to which I have aspired. While I believe some of our other business units have more distinct guidelines for how to ac...

Among the many wonderful, wonderful things about my high school, its unofficial motto was "Function in Disaster, Finish in Style (Stay calm at the center of your being)." I often find myself repeating this phrase to myself in moments of craziness ... though, I have to admit I find the first two phrases easier than the third (staying calm in disaster takes a true zen that I often don't have but am working towards). And, for the past two weeks, these words have become a mantra for me: I have quickly ramped up at work with what feels like 100 balls in the air and Johnny had a two week work trip, leaving me as the lone ranger with Charlie. It's been good, it's been hard, it's been challenging. From a work perspective, I had two proposals due in these two weeks, on top of several client meetings, two work day trips, and working on several upcoming presentations. From a life perspective, I was on point for all things Charlie from daycare prep, laundry (all. the....