Three questions with a director at Bain on balancing career and parenthood
Three questions with a director at Bain on balancing career and parenthood
Daphne Siniscalco, Director of Commercial Operations at Bain & Company’s London office, shares how she navigates a thriving career with family life. In this Q&A, discover how she balances her role at Bain with her passion for writing, leveraging Bain’s flexibility and support for working parents.
1. What sparked your journey into writing and publishing?
My foray into writing about parenting began inadvertently during my first pregnancy. One day while eating lunch, someone approached me and encouraged me to throw my food in the trash, warning me that the parmesan cheese on my pasta was dangerous because it was unpasteurized. Given my natural curiosity and analytical background, I wondered whether such food restrictions were supported by evidence and began doing some Bain-style research.
This was the catalyst for my first book, Debunking the Bump, a data-driven guide that challenges the conventional wisdom about pregnancy. The book became my first venture into the world of publishing, where I’ve enjoyed applying my consulting skill set to topics of consumer interest.
2. How did your career path shift to consulting?
I originally thought I would follow in my family's footsteps and pursue a career in academia. Growing up in Vermont near Dartmouth College, I was immersed in an academic environment as a child, and subsequently attended Harvard University, where I studied theoretical mathematics. After graduating, I moved to London and began working at Oliver Wyman while contemplating what subject to pursue as a graduate degree. But I found I very much enjoyed consulting, and ultimately decided to shift my career plans. My husband and I were both accepted to Harvard Business School, and after securing a summer internship at Bain & Company, I received a full-time offer. We returned to London, and I’ve now spent over 20 years building my career at Bain.
3. How has Bain supported your career as a working parent?
As my personal life has evolved—having three children—my role at Bain has adapted to my needs as a parent. Bain’s flexibility allowed me to work part-time while raising my family, and I took progressively longer maternity leaves, culminating in a full year off for my second and third children. I also moved from consulting to my current role as Director of Commercial Operations.
Recently, I published my second book, Debunking Teenagers, continuing my exploration of parenting through a practical, data-driven lens. With the support of Bain, I’ve been able to successfully balance my professional responsibilities with my passion for writing and my role as a parent.
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