Senior Life Cycle Manager, Astrazeneca; Wilmington, DE
Children: Ryan, 4; Kyle, 2 ♦ Husband: David Fresco

Why We Love Her
Some moms have a gentle way of reminding us just how important it is to give back to our communities. It might involve a few late nights and polishing up our organizational skills—but creative thinking like Vivian’s illustrates that something as fun as a neighborhood party can have a big payoff. Last year, she organized a block party for more than a hundred children and led a movie collection drive, donating more than a thousand movies to local hospitals and nonprofit medical clinics. “As working moms, we wear many hats,” says Vivian, “but my favorite role is being Ryan’s and Kyle’s mom.”

Q: What’s your best advice for a new mom returning to work?

A: With any big change, consider your goals and talk about your expectations with your family, your manager, and your team.  Be realistic and don't try to do it all on your own. Ask for help when you need it.

Q: What’s your best tip for keeping your home life running smoothly?

A: I like to be organized at home. I have bins, Tupperware and crates for organizing just about everything. For example, I added a simple shelf in the laundry room and placed two canvas bins — one for each child — on the shelf. As I pick up socks and clothes left around the house, I throw the items into the bins. Later in the week, it's easy to add what's inside the bins to the laundry pile.

Q: What does balance mean to you?

A: For me, balance is finding fulfillment in every aspect of my life, and I feel the most fulfilled when I know that I am making a positive contribution to my organization and my community, while keeping my family's needs my top priority.