VP, Distribution, Verizon Wireless; Basking Ridge, NJ
Children: Robert Jr., 32; Connor, 9 ♦ Husband: Robert Kirk
Why We Love Her
Rose works and cares for her 9-year old son, her husband, who is recovering from a stroke, and her mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. She still finds time to participate in walk-a-thons for Alzheimer’s awareness, is on the board of directors for the national domestic Violence hotline and mentors students. So what’s her motivating motto? “Seize the day, cherish the night, and live your life holy, healthy and happy.”
Q: What’s your biggest working mom confession?
A: I had taken a new job in January. In my company, getting off to a fast start in the first quarter of the year is critical. Consequently, I was working almost seven days a week for the first three months as I pushed hard to get up to speed and drive a high level of performance from my team. I had previously planned a vacation for April that coincided with my son's spring break from school. Despite my strong desire to not work and spend some much-needed time with my husband and son, I found myself constantly fielding calls, responding to emails and talking to employees about projects while on vacation. My son was disappointed and I felt awful. Luckily, he forgave me. And thank goodness my husband was there to smooth over the rough edges.
Q: Do your children know what mommy does for a living?
A: My son knows that I am a vice president at Verizon Wireless, but he doesn't quite understand all that I do. Because I have access to wireless phones, he's forever trying to get me to give him his own cell phone. However, my husband and I have agreed that he has to be 12 years old before he can have one (he's only 9). He refers to me as "the VP at Verizon Wireless who won't let her son have the product she makes.”
Q: What does balance mean to you?
A: I think too often we view balance through this slightly skewered lens that is comprised of how our own mothers did it, how the media says we should do it, and what the neighbor down the street does. Balance for my household is asking ourselves every day if we effectively lived our family motto: “Seize the day, cherish the night and live your life holy, healthy and happy.” If we say “yes” to the majority of those goals, then we are balanced. If we have too many “nos,” we know it's time to step back and refocus.
