Former McKinsey and Alibaba Executive Navigates Work-Life Balance as Entrepreneur and Mother
Babette Lockefeer, a former executive at McKinsey and Alibaba, has successfully navigated the challenges of balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, despite initial thoughts of quitting her business to become a stay-at-home mom.
Lockefeer’s career journey began in 2014 as a consultant at McKinsey. She later joined Alibaba in 2016 as a global leadership associate, focusing on connecting Dutch e-commerce with the Chinese market. Her move to China in 2017 sparked an interest in leadership development, leading her to establish her own leadership business, TheoryY, in 2018 while pregnant with her first child.
Upon returning to the Netherlands in December 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Lockefeer faced significant challenges balancing her professional and personal life. The limited childcare support during the pandemic exacerbated these difficulties, leading to feelings of inadequacy as she struggled to meet societal expectations of being both the “perfect mother” and the “ideal employee.”
Despite working fewer hours after having children, Lockefeer found it challenging to be fully present both at work and with her kids. These struggles led her to consider quitting her business to focus solely on motherhood.
However, her husband, who worked full-time but was actively involved in parenting, disagreed with this decision. He took parental and birth leave to support the family and encouraged Lockefeer to continue working, believing she wouldn’t be content as a stay-at-home mom.
Through ongoing discussions with her husband, Lockefeer gained a better understanding of her value beyond professional achievements. The couple made household changes to balance responsibilities, especially after the birth of their third child in 2023. Lockefeer’s husband took extended parental leave, allowing for a more equitable division of family duties.
Reflecting on her journey, Lockefeer now appreciates her husband’s foresight in encouraging her to maintain her career. She recognizes the importance of intellectual stimulation from her job for personal fulfillment and effective parenting.
Lockefeer’s story highlights the complex challenges faced by working mothers and the importance of support systems in achieving work-life balance. Her experience serves as an inspiration for other professionals navigating similar situations in their careers and personal lives.