Hello, I'm Emma. As founder of Works for Everyone, I'm on a mission to transform how New Zealand's leading corporates support and develop their working parent talent. Through our innovative leadership programmes, executive coaching, and initiatives like the NZ Part-Time Power List, we're not just developing individuals—we're driving systemic change in workplaces across the country. Partner with us to unlock the full potential of your parent professionals and create a truly inclusive workplace culture.

Invest in your workforce with NZ’s Working Parent Expert

Trusted By

Returning to work is a transformational time in a parent’s life

There are often feelings of guilt, confidence wobbles, increased mental load and all of this on top of reduced sleep. It is a tough time. Our services wrap care around parents and their leaders at the time they need them most.

  • Executive Coaching

    When you return to work, it can feel like you get no time to yourself and that everyone else’s needs come before yours.  But as the old saying goes, we need to put our oxygen mask on first before helping others. Coaching is your oxygen mask and creates a space for you to reflect on what you need and how to get it. Coaching is an investment in you, your career and your family.

  • The "Returning with Confidence" Programme

    We partner with leading NZ corporates to deliver our flagship programme that welcomes parents back from parental leave with a customised blend of workshops, coaching and accountability. Perfect for employers who want to wrap value around their parental leave experience with  a solution that operates at scale, can be delivered online and is cost effective.

  • The "Making Space for Dads" Programme

    This programme creates space for dads to feel supported and equipped during a transformational time in their career and personal life.

    Through interactive workshops, we dive deep into the real challenges working dads face today. Based on real-life insights and research these workshops provide practical solutions to common struggles.

    By addressing the challenges working fathers face, organisations can improve retention, productivity, and demonstrate commitment to gender equality and work-life integration.

  • Speaking

    As NZ’s Working Parent expert, Emma Mclean is a sought after speaker for conferences, parent networks and corporate events. Her signature style is one of powerful insights delivered with lots of laughs. A bundle of energy, she prides herself on creating keynotes that resonate with everyone, not just parents. By asking Emma to speak with your team you can be sure of a session that is (in the words of one of her clients) “punchy, practical and peppered with laughter”

the motherhood penalty is real

ONLY MOTHERS PAY A PENALTY THAT SEE THEIR EARNINGS PENALISED BY UP TO 55% IN THE FIRST FIVE YEARS AFTER BECOMING A PARENT

THE MOTHERHOOD PENALTY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR UP TO 80% OF THE GENDER PAY GAP

3x

ONE IN THREE WORKING DADS DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE TALKING TO THEIR EMPLOYER ABOUT THEIR FAMILY COMMITMENTS

OF THE PEOPLE TAKING UP PAID PARENTAL LEAVE IN 2020/21 IN NZ ONLY 1.4% WERE MEN

Changing working parents’ worlds

  • Emma is a great facilitator and the topics were 100% on point for the challenges I've been facing returning to work. Being in a group with other mums was really nice to know you're not alone and I feel like everyone walked away with genuinely useful actions to help at work and at home.

    Alice, Wellington

  • “Emma's content is great, lots of tips and advice for those parents new to returning to work. Strategies that can be used in both work and personal lives to enhance areas you may be having difficulties in. I loved Emma's delivery too, lots of great laughs.”

    Krystal, Auckland

  • “What a fabulous course, so many gems to take away! Emma is so welcoming and easily held space for all of us to express our opinions, share our hardships and work together to demystify our overwhelm.”

    Sally, Auckland

  • “Fantastic thank you so much. I thoroughly enjoyed today’s session and left it feeling very positive and excited about this - I had entered it feeling defeated and frustrated so it was a big shift.”

    Kelly, Christchurch