Strengthening resiliency in working parents and the organizations they work for.

The Josie Story

Michelle Yu, Co-Founder and CEO

Before Josie, I was a Partner at a management consulting firm – and loved it. (#frequentflier)

When I was expecting my first child, I naively thought things would more or less be the same when I went back to work. Not sure what all the fuss was about…turns out, karma can be very rude.

Returning to work after parental leave was tough – I felt like I was taking two… hundred steps back.

 I felt like I was constantly fighting to prove that I could still be the ambitious professional I had always been. My confidence was shaken; my mental and emotional energy was off. And I heard the same story from so many others. Why does it have to be this hard? And since it is this hard — where is our support?

And while there are lots of options available, it was so hard to sift through all the noise. So I decided to change that.

I wanted to create something to support working parents across those critical moments that matter. And I wanted to deliver it at the right time, in the right places, and in the right ways.

Because parents make for some of the best leaders. Sometimes we just need a little help, especially around parental leave and the early years of parenting.

Named after my daughter, Josie is your partner, your hype team – whether you’re a parent navigating the complexities of work and family, or a business committed to supporting your rising rockstar parents – we’re here to help.

What we do

Josie offers personalized coaching, practical resources, and a supportive community to help parents lead confidently and thrive at home and work — from parental leave and beyond.

Unlike other solutions, we partner with employers and parents directly, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Our Mission

To be every working parent’s hype team during the moments that matter, helping to uncover and amplify their tremendous leadership abilities.

Our Vision

To uplift working parents as leaders in their careers, driving stronger, more inclusive organizations that thrive on their diverse strengths.

Meet the Josie Team

The Josie team is made up of passionate professionals who are dedicated to supporting working parents and their employers.

Michelle Yu, MPH
Co-Founder & CEO
Allison Wiggin Paolisso, MBA, MPH
Co-Founder & COO
Zach Hafner, MBA
Chief Financial Officer
Celina Ticoll-Ramirez, MA, NCC
Senior Director of Product
Krista Rizzo, MPH
Head of Research

The Heartbeat of Josie: Meet Our Coaches

Our network of experienced coaches is at the heart of Josie. With expertise in various fields, they are here to guide you through every step of your journey as a working parent.

Clara Lucia Jaramillo-Carrier, PCC

Career Coach
My Vision as a Josie Coach: To be a supportive resource in the complex and rewarding journey of being parents in the workplace.

Sabrina Baronberg, MPH

Transition Coach

My Vision as a Josie Coach: Enabling working parents - and empowering their managers - to capitalize on their expertise and dedication while also supporting them to be their whole selves is my true mission.

Jacqueline Green, DEI Leader

Transition Coach

My Vision as a Josie Coach: To help parents unleash their potential and feel supported and empowered as working parents.

Javaree Walker, Certified Parent Coach (Jai Institute)

Transition Coach

My Vision as a Josie Coach: To guide parents in navigating the intersection of work and family life, helping them find balance and integration that fuels personal and professional growth.

Anna Leachman, MS

Transition Coach

My Vision as a Josie Coach: Paying-it-forward to help working parents find fulfillment and balance in their careers and lives.

Beth Willson, MA

Mental Health Coach

My Vision as a Josie Coach: I aim to make each session in itself a practice of self-care — an opportunity for clients to refill their own cup, tend to their mind and heart, and be a little kinder to themselves along their parenthood journey.

Susan Leigh Brunes, MBA, MA

Mental Health Coach
Transition Coach

My Vision as a Josie Coach: To offer what I wish I had at so many pivotal times in my life and throughout my working parent journey – space to be seen, heard, and normalize my feelings.

Erin Metheny, LMFT, Good Inside Parent Coach

Mental Health Coach
Transition Coach

My Vision as a Josie Coach: To empower parents during the moments that matter, allowing for smoother transitions while equipping individuals, families, and workplaces with the tools and compassion they need to thrive.

Anne Terry, ACC

Career Coach
Transition Coach

My Vision as a Josie Coach: Becoming a parent is about as transformational as it gets - I love partnering with new parents whose world has been cracked wide open to pick up the pieces and construct a new, bigger version of themselves, their careers, and their lives.

Ali Patterson

Transition Coach

My Vision as a Josie Coach: To support and empower working parents by listening to their needs and providing tools to help them thrive at home and in the workplace.

Carolyn Meinke

Transition Coach

We’re building a future where parents can excel at work and at home.

Ready to learn more?