Israeli Tech Professionals Embrace Career Growth During Parental Leave

Contrary to the common perception of pregnancy and parental leave as career pauses, several Israeli tech professionals have recently shared experiences of significant career advancements during these periods. Gil Baklash, a senior product designer at Gong, joined the company in her seventh month of pregnancy after actively pursuing a role she always desired. Despite initial hesitation about starting a new challenge while pregnant, her concerns were met with immediate support from Gong, who welcomed her without making her pregnancy a negative factor. Baklash took nearly eight months of maternity leave after her daughter Hili was born, maintaining contact with her team and even returning to work after a brief delay due to her daughter's hospitalization, feeling supported and able to balance family and career.

Aviram Ben Shoshan, head of design at Appcharge, found himself in a "survival mode" with newborn twins, having just completed surrogacy with his partner. During his six-month paternity leave, he was approached by Gil Tov Li, VP Marketing at Appcharge, for professional consultation. This conversation evolved into an offer to join the startup and build the design department from scratch. Ben Shoshan accepted, joining Appcharge when the twins were about eight months old and the company had around 40 employees. He has since led the branding, established work processes, and recruited a team, with the company now employing approximately 180 people. He credits the experience with making him more efficient, stating that his career and family continue to grow together.

Yana Sivan, development director at the fintech company April, was promoted to her current role during her six-month maternity leave with her fourth child. With 15 years of experience, Sivan now manages a team of over 20. The promotion offer came a month before her planned return to work. While not questioning her desire for the role, she focused on how to fulfill its demands at her expected standard, especially as it involved managing managers for the first time while caring for a newborn. The company's organizational support, assuring her of assistance in navigating the transition, provided her with the confidence to accept. Sivan emphasizes the need for focus, being fully present in work meetings or with her children, and balancing career and family goals without sacrificing either.

Ilana Levi Biton, CEO of iTalent, a tech recruitment firm, observes a positive shift in the industry. She notes that more organizations recognize that women's careers are continuous, with pregnancy being a natural part of it. Hiring and promotion decisions, she argues, should look forward, valuing the long-term contribution of talented individuals. iTalent itself has hired pregnant women and seen female managers advance through multiple pregnancies and leaves. Biton believes that companies adopting this inclusive approach gain valuable talent and foster trust and long-term commitment.