for the workplace

Women bring unique value to the workplace – but fully unlocking it requires a specific kind of support. Woven’s corporate circles offer employees the attention and care they need to bring their best selves to work.

WOVEN CIRCLES

it’s time to move beyond buzz words and foster the conditions for your employees to thrive. 

Motherhood fundamentally changes women. At Woven, we see this as an opportunity – not a liability.

Becoming a mother asks women to evolve, mature and grow in meaningful ways.

And when women feel supported, they are free to harness the full range of these new skills – including increased creativity, problem solving, ingenuity, efficiency and more.

Because let’s face it – what’s good for your employees’ mental health is good for company culture, your bottom line, and society as a whole.

a new approach to wellness at work

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a new approach to wellness at work ∙

Building community takes work.

Woven’s virtual circles build trust and foster connection through shared experiences over time.

what is a circle?

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Our circles are a dedicated space for employees to talk about the unique challenges (and triumphs!) of women and mothers today. We welcome all employees who are or want to be mothers, and can accommodate any size group.

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Each session is 60-90 minutes long, held during or after work hours. All circles are virtual, offering working moms the flexibility they require. Participants are led through structured sessions that include mindfulness practices, discussion prompts and tangible resources for ongoing support.

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Our primary offering, called MotherCircle, is a series of 8 gatherings designed to help women process their motherhood experiences in community. It takes a holistic approach to building community over time, covering topics like work, the nervous system, the body, birth, and much more.

  • Mothers or want to be, by birth or adoption

  • Trying to conceive or grieving a loss

  • Preparing for or returning to work post-maternity leave

  • Female leaders and managers of women/mothers

Working women face unique challenges that require a specific kind of support. Our circles are designed for employees who are…

who are circles for?

  • Parenting as a single mother or a step-mother

  • Freezing eggs or unsure if they want to start a family

  • Struggling to balance work and family life

  • In a caretaking role of any kind

YOU CHOOSE HOW TO OFFER CIRCLES TO YOUR EMPLOYEES

OPTION ONE:

host private circles just for your employees

Host a private circle for employees who are or want to be mothers. Great for a women’s or parents Employee Resource Group. Select the days and times of each circle based on what works best for your team.

OPTION TWO:

pay for employees to attend circles directly

Employees can attend Woven’s circles on their own time. Offer to all women or focus on those who need extra support (e.g., pregnant, experienced loss, returning from maternity leave). Only pay for those who use the benefit.

here’s what people are saying

DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT…

“So many mothers are juggling so much more than it appears and this period can be so challenging as they return back to work with young kids. I felt more connected to my colleagues, more understood and empowered by sharing my motherhood journey with my coworkers."

— Estella M.

"I was so surprised at the level of honesty and vulnerability from the group. I thought it would feel awkward in a work setting (I always try to present in a professional, arms-length way), but it was so beautiful. Still feeling the hum!”

— Anonymous

“Shari is a gem. To know her thoughtfulness and depth is a gift to anyone going through a big shift – specifically to those of us adjusting to motherhood. She’s someone who pushes you to think deeper, feel bigger and to be okay with just being. I wouldn't want to go through this season of life with anyone else.”

— Rachel G.

WE ALL KNOW THAT IT PAYS TO HAVE

women in the workplace

“When employers give female employees opportunities to thrive, they unlock the full potential of the entire organization. An inclusive workforce that supports women and mothers will ultimately lead to greater retention and productivity and a stronger reputation among customers and prospective employees”

–JENNIFER JAY PALUMBO, FORBES

While policy is important, it’s not the whole story.

According to Fortune, 86% of women say wellness programs and mental health resources at work are important to them – yet only 41% of women report having both benefits.

And burnout is real: Motherly reports that nearly half of moms feel burned out, and 62% get less than an hour a day to themselves.

The result? Higher stress levels, decreased well-being, and less capacity to show up fully at home OR in the workplace.

…BUT SUPPORTING WOMEN AT WORK MEANS MORE THAN JUST PAID LEAVE.

The unfortunate fact is that 17% of women leave employment entirely within five years of childbirth, while only 4% of men do the same.

Mothers who leave employment completely are three times more likely to return to a lower-paid or lower-responsibility role than those who do not take a break – especially if they switch companies. This leads to stagnation in career growth and exacerbates the gender pay gap for those who choose to lean into family life.

The message is clear: when women aren’t supported in the workplace, we all miss out. Woven is here to propose another way.

offering good benefits also benefits your business

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ATTRACT TOP TALENT

Offering enticing benefits helps you stand out from the competition and attract the next generation of talent. Circles show you invest deeply in your employees.

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INCREASE MOTIVATION + SATISFACTION

When employees have a dedicated space to give and receive support, they feel more connected to themselves, each other and your organization.

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RETAIN TALENT POST-MATERNITY LEAVE

New mothers need unique support when returning from leave. Circles build trust and create camaraderie – ensuring that women want to come back to work.

shari castelli

Shari Castelli has a deep knowledge of startup culture, having started her career in the early days of ClassPass (and later, Mindbody) in New York City. She spent over a decade growing the ClassPass business, managing key partner relationships and doing PR appearances on Good Morning America among other outlets. She also mentored and trained internal teams, managed global partnerships, and created the capital-as-a-service arm of the business.

Following the birth of her son, Shari struggled to integrate her changing identity as a new mom with who she was expected to be in the workplace. Ultimately she made the difficult decision to take a career pause.

Fortunately, Shari discovered the MotherCircle community, where she saw the power and potential of women gathering together. She decided to become a MotherCircle facilitator herself, training under the mentorship of MotherCircle founder, Kimberly Ann Johnson. The women attending her MotherCircles underwent such profound shifts that Shari knew she needed to share this with more women.

The Woven at Work initiative brings Shari’s corporate background together with her work helping women integrate transformative experiences. Shari sees motherhood as a threshold moment that holds incredible potential for healing, growth and maturation. Through her work with Woven and as a coach, her mission is to help women recognize and harness their own power.

Shari lives in San Diego with her husband, two year old son, their dog and two cats.

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