In honor of Maternal Mental Health Day and Mother's Day, we are exploring the personal and professional roadblocks that mothers face and facilitating a dialogue around how we can address them. By bringing together the mothers at the top of their industries, we will talk about the steps they have taken and have yet to take to raise mothers up and combat the prevailing perception that motherhood is a weakness when in fact we know the opposite to be true: Motherhood is one of the greatest strengths of all.
LAURA PREPON
Actress and Author of You and I, as Mothers
Laura Prepon is a versatile actress whose career spans both film and television. She made her television debut on the long running sitcom "That 70's Show," where she portrayed Donna Pinciotti, the girlfriend of next door neighbor Eric Forman (Topher Grace.) Prepon can be seen in the hit Netflix original series, “Orange is the New Black,” which recently wrapped its seventh and final season. In addition to her on-camera work in “Orange is the New Black,” Laura has directed three episodes. Laura released her first book and instant New York Times Best-Seller, THE STASH PLAN, a 21-day plan that combines the latest in food science with dietary wisdom. Prepon’s second book, “You and I, as Mothers: A Raw and Honest Guide to Motherhood,”includes topics such as self-care, stress reduction techniques, protecting one’s partnership, asking for help, and getting a global perspective on maternity, as well as a selection of easy and delicious recipes, among many other things. Prepon added her first producer credits when she combined her passion for poker and entertainment in her own television show for E!
Denise Vasi is the founder and editor in chief of MAED. As a model and actress, she has always paid attention to eating well and working out but now the stakes were higher. Motherhood is a 24/7 gig. There are no reshoots or stand-ins. Big life changes were triggered. Denise was committed to raising her daughter as intentionally and naturally as possible. Denise began documenting her journey and their alternative choices via social media — from preparing plant-based clean meals and detoxing in her home to hanging with her little one and making time for self-care. Denise's followers’ DMs, tweets and comments soon made it clear: They wanted a permanent place to go for more info. So she created MAED.
Bethanie is a tireless women’s advocate and recognized leader on the topic of breadwinning women. She founded the Breadwinning Women’s community at Google which has grown to almost 2000 women globally in less than a year. Bethanie is the host of the podcast, Working Wife, Happy Life! launched in early 2020. She has been featured on CNBC, Refinery 29, Medium, Know Your Value “Women in the News”, Said Business School at Oxford University, Chief Mom Officer and on podcasts such as So Money with Farnoosh Torabi and the Ellevate Network. Bethanie began her career in the photo industry before joining Google in 2004. Throughout her 16 year career at Google she has spent 12 hour days reviewing ads, sold the first campaigns on YouTube, created, launched and (sometimes) sunsetted products, negotiated billions of dollars in first-of-their-kind deals and now oversees New Business Development, Revenue Management and Analytical Insights.
Amri Kibbler is the mama to two sweet girls, Mari and River, who inspire her everyday. Married to her love, Jason Kibbler, they live together in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Amri spent a decade as an editor and stylist creating engaging content for major media publications at Hearst and Condé Nast. She is well-versed in the language of the millennial woman, having grown alongside her as she graduated college, started and scaled her career at publications like Cosmopolitan and Glamour, and now as a mother. Passionate about community and storytelling, Amri's years as an editor have honed her keen eye for curating brands, products, and people who inspire. She brings these same skills to her role as Chief Community Officer of HeyMama, where she interviews exceptional women and creates compelling programming and events in support of working mothers.