Mother’s Day is this weekend, and we wanted to take the time to showcase a couple of amazing mothers, wives, and leaders in the Learfield Family.
Britt Oligschlaeger, Vice President – MVC Market Director, has worked with Learfield since 2006 when she started as an intern for National Sales. Since then she has worked in Affiliate Relations, been an Account Executive and General Manager, and has now been promoted to oversee the Missouri Valley Conference and Market. Oh – she also has a six-year-old.
Danielle Johnson, Chief Operating Officer for Mogo Interactive, started her career as an AD Operations Specialist for Freedom Communications Inc. in 2006. After a stint with NBC and Future US, she started with Mogo in 2014 and has worked in operations to make Mogo the leading digital advertising powerhouse it is today. All while raising three kids.
These ladies have made a name for themselves in their respective fields all while raising a family, but how do they do it? We asked them!
How do you find Work-Life Balance?
Britt: If I’m at home, then I am fully there. I spend time with my husband and daughter instead of answering emails or texts. Our favorite thing to do is sit on the couch and watch Survivor or American Idol, so I make sure to be present in those moments. When I am at work, I do the same thing. I make sure she is with a babysitter, family, or friends so I can fully focus on the tasks at hand to do my job.
Danielle: Finding a partner to tag team with is key. Ultimately you must weigh the tradeoffs; I may be gone during one part of the year for conferences, but I get to stay at home more during other parts of the year. I stay focused on that. You just do the best you can.
How do you involve your kids at work?
Britt: When I worked at South Dakota State, I would bring my daughter and husband to the suite for a football game. I encouraged my entire team to do this, and it created a great family atmosphere. I make sure she knows when we will be around “work people” and how I expect her to act. It’s been working really well so far!
Danielle: Our office has family events at different times of the year, so it’s great to see everyone with their kids and seeing the kids play together. We work with a lot of arenas, so my husband and I take the kids to different events at those arenas. They get to see a little snippet of what Mommy does, and it helps when I have to be out of town a lot. My son’s birthday was Final Four weekend, but they were able to fly to San Antonio so while I was working, I still got to spend the day with him.
What advice do you have for women advancing in their careers, but they are also thinking of starting a family?
Britt: Set goals! Write them down to remind yourself where you want to be. Things will get in the way, but you have them there to help you stay on track. Don’t compare yourself to other women or moms. You have your own strengths that make you a great person/wife/mother. You certainly do not have to be the PTO president or perfect “Pinterest Mom”.
Danielle: Give yourself permission to prioritize your career. In the end, it will make you a better mom, wife and partner. Multiple studies have shown that daughters of working moms are more likely to hold leadership roles, and pursue higher levels of education. You need to find your village too, whether it’s family, friends, or the local Moms Group. You can have it all, but you don’t have to do it all by yourself.
What is your favorite part of being a Mom?
Britt: I have this amazing little buddy all the time! I love the little moments like singing in the car or watching her try so hard at gymnastics and finally nailing something. It makes everything worth it.
Danielle: I get to re-live my childhood through them. It’s fun watching them discover new things and experiences for the first time. Nothing teaches you more about yourself than being a mom.
To all the Moms out there, Learfield wishes you a very Happy Mother’s Day!
