Chasing Change: How Northeastern University Supports Their Working Parents

This is the first episode of our podcast miniseries, “Chasing Change.” Host Samantha Saxby unveils what change looks like from the inside. She interviews women who have instigated change in their workplace to get the support they needed. Including how employees have utilized Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and affinity groups, to make an impact in the workplace, especially for working parents. 

In this episode, Samantha is joined by Alison Nogueira and Melissa Peikin from Northeastern University. Allison and Melissa co-founded NU Parents, a parent affinity group for working parents at all stages of parenthood. NU Parents provides personal and professional development for working parents and caregivers to create a strong network of fulfilled members. What began as a casual meetup in 2011 to discuss parenthood has now grown into an active community of almost 600 members, and has affected meaningful change across the university.

In their conversation, Samantha, Allison, and Melissa discuss:

• How the parent affinity group was born out of a community need

  
  



• Challenges and successes during COVID-19

  
  



• Being change agents to improve university culture

  
  



• Challenges of leading an ERG on top of a full-time job

  
  



• Providing valuable resources for group members

  
  



• …and much more!

  
  

  
  

  
  

To learn more about affinity group NU Parents, visit their website. You can also connect with Melissa and Allison on LinkedIn. 

Moms With Benefits is chasing financial and emotional stability for motherhood. If you resonated with this episode, we’d love it if you would rate and review us to help spread the word. You can also find Moms With Benefits on Instagram @momswithbenefitsorg.