Sami Unrau’s Post

It’s my birthday. Oddly enough, I am turning 26 for the 10th consecutive year. Weird. This also marks my annual LinkedIn posting hiatus. It’s something I made up and have done for the past three summers because as much as I love our community here and believe that we are doing good work through meaningful conversation, it also takes a lot of energy. Energy to write, engage and weather the negativity of those who dislike it, don’t relate to it, just don't get it, or think LinkedIn isn't the place. I have found that one of the challenges of advocacy is that some people can't recognize advocacy when the advocacy isn't advocating for them. Contrary to what some may believe, consistently showing up and bringing conversations to the table is work. It’s scary to say things out loud and let the opinions of the masses hit you like a tidal wave. It’s not always fun - but it’s always meaningful and worthwhile. And I stand firm in the reality that the positive feedback I get far outweighs the critical. That said, I’ll be taking some time to breathe, settle into the remit of my new job and expanded scope, write without the pressure of posting and spend time with my kiddos in the sun. In the meantime, I will leave you with this: I hope that you stand strong in your own lived experiences. I hope that you are able to find the courage and freedom to advocate for yourself and your people. And I hope that you are able to show up as you are, a whole human who is worthy of care. See ya in a bit ❤️ Sami (I know, I know, it’s the cringey “I’m taking a break from social media” social media post. But the last time I didn’t let you all know, people were slacking and DM'ing me asking if I was okay, and I am a people pleaser.)

Our school district announced that starting next year, all students will be able to receive a free breakfast and lunch every day at school. I’m celebrating for all those kids who will now have no-questions-asked access to two meals a day. And I am celebrating for all the families for whom this will be a lift of multiple varieties of burdens. Whether it’s the burden of affording the food, or planning for and providing it daily for kids before and as they head out the door, this benefits all families, working parents and otherwise. When we support kids, we support working families. It takes a village.

Some working mom musings. I always wondered if after I had kids if I would ever want to stay home with my kids. Plenty of parents make that very valid choice (and some don't really have a choice due to cost of living / childcare). And, honestly, the desire to stop doing paid work never hit me. In fact, at the end of both of my maternity leaves, I was torn with such a dichotomy of desperately not wanting to leave my baby, but also craving something else to immerse myself in, to stimulate my brain in a way that only solving complex problems can. I love my children dearly. I love spending time with them and being there when they need me. And also, I personally, need more. Having something that is just for me (although benefits my family) makes me whole. It fulfills the parts of me that mothering can't. That doesn't mean I don't feel guilt - that internal battle between my own needs and those of my children. I do. And I don't think any level of certainty in my desire to work would resolve that. And that's part of why healthy culture and my ability to try and balance it all in a sustainable way is so important to me...because I WANT to work. I want work to be that positive experience I need it to be, and I want to be able to care for my family while doing so.

And so it begins. Summer camp starts today. So does summer swim team. We lucked out and found a swim team at the same place where we will do summer camp and for days with morning practice, she can duck out of camp, go to practice, and head back to camp. And while that’s super convenient, she’s also 7 and can’t quite do any of that by herself. So there’s lists on lists, packing two snacks and a lunch every day, coordinating with camp teachers, walking her through the routine, dry runs so she knows where to stash her stuff and where to go. We spent a solid five hours yesterday prepping for the camp kick off today. All so her dad and I can keep working during the months when school is out. The reality of summer for many working parents is anything but relaxing. Summer “vacation”? Nah. Summer hustle, for sure.

Here’s the thing. This man right here, is raising two daughters. And he has a great responsibility in doing so. A responsibility to be a model for equal partnership so that his girls see it as the norm. He does the dishes, every night. I actually have unloaded the dishwasher probably a whopping five times in the time we’ve been together. He does the girl’s laundry. He makes their annual wellness appointments. He will filter through their closets and pull out what doesn’t fit. He picks up and drops off. He takes them on sick days and is the captain of puke (because I am a wuss). Is it always equal? Nope. Carrying the mental load is a learned skill, a skill he’s committed to learning. I could not be the mother and professional woman I am today without him being the father and partner he strives to be. He’s setting a new bar. A high one, for our girls. Happy Father’s Day babe.

Real proud to work at Nike today. When the email to employees came out, I peered over my computer screen at my heavily pregnant colleague & friend so incredibly giddy for her knowing that she would get an additional two months on top of the short term disability and previous 8 weeks of bonding leave. THIS is how you support families. THIS is how you support women. And this is why elevating the voice of caregivers in the organization is so important.

Summer break starts today. There is a social media narrative aimed at parents (but mostly moms) about only having 18 summers with your kids, so you better soak it up and make the magic while you can. And while I appreciate the sentiment behind the trend, about prioritizing family and being present, I also think puts a crazy amount of pressure on those families who also work full time. Because work doesn't stop over the course of those summers, and neither do bills. In fact, summer often brings with it a whole host of complications in the form of patchwork childcare and additional cost that many families struggle to navigate. For my family, this looks like summer camp at the local rec center and a freezer full of otterpops for after dinner and before they go to bed on time, because summer or not, we still leave the house at 7am. Sure, there are a couple vacations sprinkled in, but our life in the summer largely mimics our life during every other season, albeit, with a bit more vitamin D. So when they say you only get 18 summers, I hope that you don't feel that pressure - and know that you might end up with a kid like me, who loved her parents (who both worked full time, summer included) so much that she bought the house across the street and still comes over to check the snack pantry 35 years later.

Golden hour with my family will forever be my greatest motivator for working as efficiently and diligently as I can, so I can get out of the door on time. That’s it. It’s really that simple. I don’t need swag and snacks and parties. Just the ability to make it home for this.

I walked past a long line of interns on campus last week on my way to grab breakfast. Every summer when the interns arrive, I get thrown back in time to the summer of 2010, when I stepped onto Nike's beautiful campus for the first time. It was five days after I graduated, and by sheer will and sheer luck, I never left. Since then, I have met with many, many interns. And over the years, my advice has evolved. But here are the three things I would offer today: 1. Corporate structures can be incredibly intimidating. There is hierarchy and power balances and imbalances innate throughout the corporate world. But the one thing that is true, and will be true regardless of where you go, is that the corporate world is made up of people, of humans. And on that level, no one is more important than anyone else. That is a truth I take with me in every interaction I have. I may be talking to the VP of Whatever, but I am also just talking to a person, with a human life and human interests. And for some reason, that makes it less intimidating. 2. Perform your job well and excel at your projects. And while you do that, meet with as many people as you can. Set up coffee chats like your life depends on it. Every time you meet with someone, ask them for three more names that you should meet with. Ask questions. Tell them about yourself and soak it all up. Being able to mingle on campus is an opportunity that few get. Unlock the network. 3. Let yourself drink the Koolaid. There is a time for healthy cynicism - this is not it. Soak up the magic and brand. Let yourself be enchanted by it. Internships at Nike are pure opportunity - and there are few moments in your late education/early career that will exist for your sole development. This is the perfect moment to buy in and let yourself dream. I did. I still do. In case any of our interns see this post, please don't hesitate to throw time on my calendar in July. I'd love to meet you.

I posted this morning about my kiddo’s 3:30am wake up call. And over the course of the day, no less than four beautiful absolute saints from my LinkedIn community, people who I don’t even know in real life, sent me real life coffee. So, thanks for making me cry in the elevator… “I’m fine… allergies😭😭😭.” Seriously, the kindness of total strangers ❤️ you all know how to pick a mom up.