The Amazing Race Producer Mom Elise Doganieri

TV Producer Mom Elise Doganieri

Mom Stories

Elise Doganieri, 45, lives in Los Angeles with husband and producing partner Bertram van Munster and daughter Ava, 4 .

My Job
Along with my husband, I run two production companies: Worldrace Productions for The Amazing Race on CBS, in its twenty-second season; and one for our other shows, among them The Great Escape for TNT and the upcoming series for Spike, Fight Master: Ballator MMA. I get to the office between 9 and 10 a.m. Since we work together all the time, Bertram and I take separate cars—after all, we need a little time apart! I take Ava to preschool before the office. We dive into meeting after meeting with our production company teams, and we bring in lunch and just keep going. We’re on the road all over the world to shoot Race twice a year, and also for our other shows.

How Work Life Works
Though I give all to my work (I like being really busy!), my focus is always my daughter. Ava likes me to pick her up from preschool, so I do that a few days a week—and sit down for circle time. I take her home to our caregiver, Sara, then go back to work. Ava sometimes comes to the office. Bertram and I get home around 6 most days. My being a working mom has offered Ava so much. And she gets it!

Staying Connected
Ava will call (our caregiver helps) several times a day to tell me what’s going on or to ask if someone can come over or to pick up cookie mix. “Okay Mom, bye, I love you.” I love her little voice. It makes my day. When I’m travelling and filming, I Skype with her daily. I send her pictures of where we’re shooting The Amazing Race around the world. Ava can call me anytime day or night and I’m there for her.

Family Time
At home, Bertram and I just focus on Ava—and our 12-year-old Jack Russell, Jetson—at night and on weekends. We sit down to dinner and talk about Ava’s day. On the weekends we shut down work-related stuff and have fun with our firecracker daughter. We have dinner with families who have kids her age. They come over and we have real quality time.

Me Time
...Is on hold for the moment. I keep saying I’ll carve out more, but…I have a little mommy guilt thing where if I’m not at the office I should be at home. So I don’t go to the gym. After Ava goes to bed, I unwind and get organized. I do squeeze in an occasional massage or long walk.

My Favorite Things
Cashmere sweaters, music—classic rock, U2 to Katy Perry: road biking; and I’m trying to read The Bliss Experiment.

In My Bag