Emily and Kenza are not only mothers — they are accomplished business leaders who found themselves navigating one of the most uncertain, emotionally charged experiences of their lives with nowhere near the support or clarity they expected.

Emily, a seasoned executive in product and business development, and Kenza, a longtime marketing executive with a career leading brand strategy and growth, were both laid off from the same company while on maternity leave. Despite their deep experience navigating boardrooms, launches, and multimillion-dollar campaigns, they were completely unprepared for the complexity and confusion surrounding California's leave systems.

When medical complications required them to extend their leaves, it only got harder. The process was full of jargon, blind spots, and closed doors. What made it possible was each other.

Together, they became each other’s sole source of truth — decoding policies, sharing resources, building templates, and offering the emotional and tactical support the system failed to provide. They each ultimately used their full 29 weeks of protected leave — not because it was easy, but because they fought for it.

And in the process, they realized:
No one should have to figure this out alone.

That’s why they started 29 Weeks — to help others access what they’re entitled to, without shame, stress, or struggle. With empathy, clarity, and real-world experience, Emily and Kenza are reshaping how California parents approach leave — especially those who’ve been overlooked or underserved by traditional systems.