Women Of The C-Suite: Amy Ward of Blue River PetCare On The Five Things You Need To Succeed As A Senior Executive

An Interview With Vanessa Morcom

One-on-one time is so important for my kids. Instead of trying to block and tackle all three of them at one time, I’d prefer — when possible — to spend short, quality time with each of them individually.

As a part of our interview series called “Women Of The C-Suite”, we had the pleasure of interviewing Amy Ward.

Amy is the Chief Financial Officer of Blue River PetCare (BRP), a founder-led organization fully committed to the success of veterinary practices, their people, and most importantly, the patients served and those who love them. Ward has held various positions during her almost decade long tenure at BRP — she led the development and management of the finance, FP&A and payroll teams at BRP, as well as the processes used today to provide in-depth financial support to ~200 hospitals across the organization. As a female leader, Ward is passionate about supporting the next generation of female leaders in finance and beyond.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?

I started my career at KPMG in the audit practice — it was a foundational job that jump started my career. After a few years, I felt myself reaching burn out. The Monday through Thursday travel was a grind, and I had just moved to downtown Chicago and wanted time to enjoy the city and everything it had to offer. So, after several busy seasons, I decided to move on and see what was in store for me.

I interviewed with several different places that are typical for traditional finance folks — banks, insurance companies, financial services organizations, etc. Nothing really felt right to me, and I trusted my gut to wait it out.

That’s when the opportunity with Blue River PetCare came my way. And this time, it felt different. I was the ninth employee to join the team — the company was still small with only 17 veterinary clinics in its portfolio, which would give me ample opportunity to learn from top leaders and help create a bright future for the company. I took a chance, jumped right in and never looked back.

Fast forward, and I’ve been with Blue River PetCare for almost a decade. I started as a senior accountant and now have the honor of serving as CFO. The best part is being able to pay it forward and help my team grow and thrive, just as BRP’s leadership team has done for me. There is nothing more rewarding than watching yourself, your company, and your team grow together.

Can you share with us how many children you have?

I have three boys, ages five, three and 17 months. Needless to say, there is never a dull moment at our house.

Where were you in your career when your child was born/became part of your family?

When my first son was born, I was two years into being the Controller at Blue River PetCare (a position I was promoted to after being a senior accountant). My second son was born at the height of the pandemic. I found out I was pregnant with him in March of 2020, and the following day, we were all sent home due to Covid. I spent that entire pregnancy in a full-blown pandemic without seeing any of my colleagues.

Did you always want to be a mother? Can you explain?

This is an easy answer for me — it’s a resounding yes. Whenever I pictured my life and what it might look like, children were always a part of the equation. I was very lucky to grow up in a two-parent home with so much support, love and happiness. I knew I wanted to give my children the kind of childhood I was so blessed to have. I will say that while I always knew I wanted kids, I truly had no idea what it meant to be a parent. Let me tell you, while it certainly is challenging, it is more fulfilling than I could have imagined.

Did motherhood happen when you thought it would or did it take longer? If it took longer, what advice would you have for another woman in your shoes?

I feel very fortunate that motherhood happened quickly once my husband and I decided it was time to grow our family. However, I know that isn’t the case for everyone. My best piece of advice would be to not compare yourself to others. I know that is much more easily said than done, but just know that everyone is on their own unique journey. Focus on you, your journey, and what you need to do to get to where you want to be. Everything happens in its own time, and I try to embrace that mentality for everything in life.

Can you tell us a bit about what your day-to-day schedule looks like?

I’m lucky that BRP has a hybrid work schedule, so I’m able to work both in the office and at home. I truly appreciate this gesture of care from the company as it allows us all to be better, more productive versions of ourselves.

If I have an in-office day, I wake up before the kids, and then 6–8am is truly a bit of a mad dash. My husband and I divide and conquer getting the kids dressed, fed and out the door. I then commute to work and try to leave by 5pm to get home, spend time with the kids, and put them all to bed. Then, I have about an hour of free time to catch up on work, read a book or relax.

On the days that I work from home, I do my best to fit in a workout since it clears my mind and allows me to tackle the day with a lot more positivity and focus. I will say that working from home does have its challenges. I LOVE that I get to see my kids in pockets throughout the day. But, on the flip side, I admit to hiding out in my office to get work done and ensure everyone’s day runs smoothly without too much disruption.

I will mention that we do have a lot of support to help keep our family — and house — running. Without that help, it simply wouldn’t work. Whether it’s my parents, my in-laws or our nanny, having a community of people allows me to invest in myself and my career.

Has being a parent changed your career path? Can you explain?

I don’t think it has changed my career path, but it has made me more focused. I’m a more focused parent, a more focused wife and friend, and a more focused professional. I’ve come back from each of my maternity leaves with an extreme desire to be better in all facets of my life. I love that having kids have given me that extra push.

It has also made me realize what is important in my career. I’ve stayed at Blue River PetCare for so long because it’s always evolving. There’s always an interesting challenge to tackle, and I can confidently say that I’m always learning something new. And most importantly, I work for people who are family oriented — that makes all the difference.

My husband and I both have demanding jobs, and neither of us want to take a step back, nor should we have to. We try to honor each other when we’re going through busier seasons at work, and most importantly, we never try to keep score. We both know how good it feels to be supported, so we want to do that for one another.

At the end of the day, I’m lucky to have my career and my kids. I am at my best when I have both.

Has being a mother made you better at your job? How so?

Becoming a mother has given me perspective that I didn’t have before. I really don’t sweat the small stuff anymore. By the time I get to work in the morning, I’ve already fought a few battles. Often, I crave the controlled environment that work provides. In fact, work almost feels (dare I say) easy after you’ve been parenting illogical toddlers! I’ve certainly become a more empathetic leader — you never know what people are going through, and this new perspective has made me a better leader and person.

What are the biggest challenges you face being a working mom?

I always think about that moment after I’ve worked a full day, right before I’m about to open my front door and enter the unknown ☺ It’s a quick pivot from work mode to kid mode, and I want to try and bring the best version of myself to my kids. I’m exhausted from a non-stop day, as are my children. That end-of-day grind is challenging for us all, but we do our best to enjoy our family time with whatever gas we have left in the tank.

There also aren’t enough hours in the day to get to everything, so you must be intentional with your time. I must be a “hell yes” to something before I commit. If I’m even the slightest bit iffy, it’s a “no.” The time crunch is real, and you have to be okay choosing you or your family over other things.

Are there any stories you remember from the early days of parenthood that you want to share?

I remember my first maternity leave so vividly. I was rocking my son when he was just a few weeks old, looking out the window, and feeling a pang of jealously for everyone who was walking around freely down below. I had never felt so cooped up — the early newborn days were really challenging for me.

I remember my first day going back to work after my leave. I stood on the train tracks over the river and remember smiling because I was by myself. No one was attached to me, no one was crying for me. I had a glimpse of the old me, and that felt good.

I think it’s so important for moms to know that it is okay to mourn a previous version of your life. I remember thinking that maternity leave wasn’t the fantasy I had envisioned and that life would never be the same. And that’s okay. You might never be the old version of you, but you can morph into a beautiful new version of yourself. Going back to work allowed to me reconnect with a piece of myself I felt I had lost.

All of this is to say — it’s totally normal to miss your kids, but it’s also totally normal to love your job. You don’t have to qualify everything in your life. I love my kids, but I’m also a better mom because I go to work every day.

Are there any meaningful activities or traditions you’ve made up or implemented that have enhanced your time with your family? Can you share a story or example?

My grandma lives on a lake in Michigan, and I grew up spending a lot of time at her home. Being on the water has always been such a freeing place for me, and it’s incredible to now see my kids doing the very same thing at the very same lake. It is so wonderful to see them excited about the things that defined my childhood.

We all live in a world with many deadlines and incessant demands for our time and attention. That inevitably makes us feel rushed, and we may feel that we can’t spare the time to be “fully present” with our children. Can you share with our readers 5 strategies about how we can create more space in our lives in order to give our children more quality attention?

1. This is a HARD one, but I put my phone in a different room when I’m with my kids. If I don’t, I find myself checking it, even when there’s nothing to check. We live in such a technology-filled world that demands we always be “on”. When I’m with my kids, that stops. I intentionally put my phone somewhere else to ensure I don’t feel tempted to reach for it.
2. I’m a big fan of boundaries and making sure I’m doing what’s best for my family. I think that the older you get, the easier it becomes to stick to your guns and feel confident in your decisions.
3. Good meals are good bonding, but it doesn’t mean it’s going to be a beautiful meal each night! When you’re walking in the door at 5pm, you want a good meal. But instead of me spending an hour cooking in the kitchen, I want to spend that time around the table with my family. My kids don’t care what we eat, and I’ve learned to loosen my reigns when it comes to that. I know this is a phase, and I’ll get back to cooking more recipes one day.
4. I’ve lowered my expectations, big time. With kids, you’re inevitably going to be disappointed. You make plans and someone gets sick. Or you need to be somewhere, but a tantrum ensues. I have to wonder — am I trying to make my kids happy or fulfill something in me? I’ve been able to lower my expectations about what success looks like, and it has made a big difference.
5. One-on-one time is so important for my kids. Instead of trying to block and tackle all three of them at one time, I’d prefer — when possible — to spend short, quality time with each of them individually.

How do you inspire your child to “dream big”? Can you give an example or story?

My kids are still little, so they are inherently dreaming big. As parents, it is our job to keep those dreams alive. I’ll tell my son that he is a really good artist, and he’ll say “I know I am.” Their instinct at this age is that they can do anything and be anything, and it’s our job to help support that as they get older.

When children are younger, confidence is through the roof. As they get older, it’s important to keep those aspirations alive while also helping them navigate the uncertainties that growing up inevitably brings.

How do you define success in both your career and your family life, and how has this definition evolved over time?

For my family, success is ensuring that my kids know they are loved beyond measure. It’s making sure they are kind to others and that they have confidence to be who they are. When I was a newly minted mom, I had a picture-perfect view of what I wanted my kids’ lives to look like. As you add more kids, you realize you have to let go and embrace the chaos. As long as my kids are happy, I’m happy.

For my career, success is all about job productivity and being able to leave work each day knowing that my team is happy. As a young, female CFO, I have to pinch myself regularly — it’s so cool that I get to do this. I owe a lot to the founders of Blue River PetCare for allowing me this opportunity to grow with the company and create new ways of working. I want to continue giving back to a place that has given so much to me.

What are your favorite books, podcasts, or resources that inspire you to be a better parent? Can you explain why you like them?

There are two books that I really love and would recommend to all moms — Fair Play and To Have and to Hold. Both books take an in-depth look at gender roles and norms, especially after having children.

Fair Play focuses a lot on our role as a mom and the importance of making space for other parts of your identity. To Have and To Hold talks a lot about navigating motherhood, marriage and all the other things in life that can impact relationships. It’s a great read that really has made me feel less alone during critical periods of my life.

Put these both on your must-read list!

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote” that you share or plan to share with your kids?

You learn the most when you fail.

I think all of life’s best lessons come from experiencing some sort of failure. It might not feel good in the moment, but it will eventually. I always like to say that it’s important to fail forward. Take it, learn from it, and move onward and upward.

If you could sit down with every new parent and offer life hacks, must-have products, or simple advice, what would be on your list?

These may not be revolutionary, but I swear they are life changing!

• Get a babysitter who is NOT family. Relying on family is great (we do it all the time), but it’s also great to have a few sitters on hand to give you more options. Remember — it is healthy to take time away from your kids.
• Nourish your relationship with your partner. It is the easiest thing to go to the wayside, but it’s also one of the most important things to double down on. You’re on a team together — always remember that.
• Everyone gets so hung up on their plans and schedules for their baby. Honestly, sleep is the most important thing — everything else will figure itself out. Make sure you educate yourself on the best ways to get good sleep (for you and baby!) — it can be a rough patch, but remember, it passes.
• Don’t think that the newborn phase is for the rest of your life! It is not representative of being a parent. It’s hard, but it’s also short. If the baby phase was all you remembered, you would never have more kids!
• When we’re having a bad day, my husband and I will put the kids to bed and say “that really sucked.” It’s okay to have bad days — in fact, you may have a lot of them. Just know that there are brighter days ahead.

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.

About The Interviewer: Vanessa Morcom is a millennial mom of three and founder of Morcom Media, a performance PR shop for thought leaders. She earned her degree in journalism and worked for Canada’s largest social enterprise. She can be reached at vanessa@morcom.media