My Journey to Motherhood
Hello there.
My name is Sasha Cassidy and I’m a Solutions Success Manager (SSM) at Appian based out of Boston, MA. In my role as a SSM, I am the Solutions Owner for Workforce Safety, responsible for working with Sales, Solutions, Marketing, and Engineering leaders to develop and deliver the go-to-market strategy in support of Appian’s Workforce Safety solution. I also work directly with Workforce Safety customers and prospects, ensuring they’re seeing the value of the platform and solution with their investment with Appian. I’ve been with Appian for 6 years, working in a variety of roles — within Customer Success, Strategy, and now Solutions.
Outside of work, I love to explore new running routes around Boston and watch SEC sports (go Vandy Commodores!). My husband Rory and I also love to ski and play tennis. We have a tuxedo cat, Chanel, who calls most of the shots around our house. Rory, Chanel and I are expecting an additional family member in early May and we are so excited!
Q: Thanks for sharing Sasha! We’re so excited to hear you are adding to your family! We’d love to hear more about what you are looking forward to and how you are preparing for motherhood?
A: I’m really looking forward to navigating motherhood and getting to know our new little one with our growing family of 3 (4, if you include Chanel)! We’ve been preparing by taking classes and reading books, but everyone tells me that we’ll be learning more on-the-fly and taking cues from the baby more than anything.
Q: That’s so exciting. What are you grateful for throughout the process leading up to maternity leave?
A: I’m really grateful for all of the support and encouragement from my coworkers that I’ve received throughout these past few months. Appian has been an awesome support system for me as I prepare for this new life chapter. We expanded our maternity leave recently to 16 weeks, and I couldn’t be happier knowing that I’ll be able to spend all that time with my new little one. Also, AppianWomen, one of seven employee-led affinity groups at Appian, sponsored a few “Motherhood & Maternity” sessions in the fall. The sessions created a platform for women across Appian to come together and talk about their experiences with motherhood and maternity in the workplace. We now have a Motherhood google chat room that stemmed from the sessions, where Appian women across departments come together and discuss shared experiences, challenges, successes — whatever! It’s been really great to have such a supportive group as I embark on this journey.
Q: How are you feeling at this moment? Any words to leave us with before you embark on this journey?
A: This is my first child, and I am thrilled, nervous, excited, and scared all at the same time. I can’t wait to welcome my tiny human to the world! It means so much to me that I’ll be able to experience motherhood for myself soon, as I’ve grown up with so many great examples of mothers my whole life. My mom and mother-in-law are superwomen! To all mothers, of all types, in honor of this Mother’s Day — thank you for all that you do, our lives wouldn’t be the same without you in it!