Returning Mothers Program

"Empowering Career Comebacks"

Supporting Women to Reignite Their Careers with Confidence

The Returning Mothers Program is a pivotal initiative by the iExplore Foundation, designed to facilitate the seamless reintegration of women into the workforce after career break, particularly those taken for familial responsibilities. Recognizing the immense potential and experience these women bring, the program offers comprehensive support through various avenues:

Program Objectives

Career Re-entry Support: Assist women in resuming their professional journeys by providing resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
Entrepreneurial Training: Equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to venture into entrepreneurship, fostering economic independence and innovation.
Training on social skills: Promote strategies and practices that enable returning mothers to maintain a harmonious balance between their personal and professional lives.
Recognition :Bozenna Pasik-Duncan Mentorship Award, managed by the Returning Mothers Conference, recognizes an individual who has contributed towards encouraging women education and career.
Impact:
- Countries: 10
- Individuals trained : 1000
- Returning Mothers Supported: 230

Key Components

Returning Mothers Conference (RMC): An annual event organized in collaboration with IEEE and the World Bank that serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, skill development, and networking. The conference includes:

- Workshops and Seminars: Covering topics such as technology skill development, career opportunities, volunteering, self-care, stress management, and more.
- Networking Opportunities: Connecting participants with industry professionals, mentors, and peers to build supportive communities.
- Inspirational Sessions: Featuring talks and panel discussions aimed at motivating attendees to pursue their professional goals.
- Health and Wellness Training: Emphasizing the importance of self-care, stress management, and overall well-being to ensure a holistic approach to career re-entry.

Skill Training Cohorts

Focused on enhancing participants’ technical and soft skills to meet industry standards.The first cohort in 2021, supported by the World Bank and trained by the Alan Alda Centre for Communicating Science, USA, trained 50 women in communication skills.From 2024 onwards, annual cohorts offer AWS Cloud training for individuals on career breaks, funded by Generation India and delivered by AWS professionals.We also collaborate with the IEEE India Office Philanthropy Unit for the Returning Women Engineers Program (RWEP), funded by Quest Global, providing comprehensive technical and professional training.

Mentorship Programs

Providing personalized guidance for returning mothers re-entering the workforce or launching ventures.The Bozenna Pasik Duncan Humanitarian Mentorship Award, introduced in 2023, honors those advancing women’s education, careers, and entrepreneurship.The first awardee, Dr. Karly Kehoe (Canada), supported over 20 women immigrants in continuing education and building careers.

Entrepreneurship Training

The annual Ideathon & Pitchfest, starting each May, offers a platform for innovative ideas.Winning teams receive funding, business model training, and mentorship, and compete in the RMC, where cash prizes are awarded to winners and runners-up.

Impact and Achievements

Global Recognition: The program has gained international acknowledgment for its efforts in promoting innovation and nurturing the future workforce through social inclusion.
Community Building: Established a supportive network of returning mothers, mentors, and industry professionals, fostering a sense of community and shared growth.
Career Advancement: Empowered numerous women to successfully re-enter the workforce, pursue entrepreneurial ventures, and achieve their professional aspirations.

Returning Mothers Conference (RMC) – A Landmark Initiative

The Returning Mothers Conference (RMC) is a global initiative by iExplore Foundation dedicated to empowering women who have taken career breaks to re-enter the workforce.

Started in 2014 after the Systers PassItOn Award to Dr. Ramalatha Marimuthu and later supported by IEEE and the World Bank WePOWER Initiative, RMC has grown into an international movement promoting skill development, mentorship, and inclusion.

The conference has empowered over 1000 women to regain confidence, upskill, and rejoin professional or entrepreneurial paths.
A major milestone was reached in 2024, when the World Bank launched the International Returning Mothers Day during RMC.

Through RMC, iExplore Foundation continues its mission to advance gender equality, foster inclusive workplaces, and enable career comebacks for women worldwide.

Visit RMC Website