CELEBRATING CORPORATE MOMS The MASTERS Of Multitasking
TASHIMA WALKER Sales Operations Manager, Digicel Business Child: Isaac, 8
Tashima Walker oversees the business processes and sales structure of the business solution team, while managing a team of eight sales operations executives. In short, her team helps to create operational efficiencies within Digicel Business to allow for improved delivery of its products and services.
AW: How have you had to change the way you carry out your roles as a mother and a professional this year?
TW: The pandemic has created unique challenges, especially for the working professionals with children. However, I choose to see homeschooling as an opportunity to connect and be more involved in my son’s learning experience. Professionally, I have had to learn how to maintain a healthy worklife balance, as work and home are now happening in the same space. Some days it is harder than others, but my son is my accountability partner — he reminds me to turn off the laptop after 5:00 pm.
AW: What is your motivation for giving your best both at home and at work?
TW: I am motivated by the level of integrity (values) which I hold myself to, especially as a parent. I am responsible for molding another person to take on life. My aim is to be the foundation/ shoulders on which my son can stand/lean on as he grows older.
AW: What is your number one attribute that you want your child to emulate?
TW: I want my son to be bold enough to ask/go for whatever he wants in life.
It’s a quality I learnt late in my life and that’s why I want to bestow it on him from early out.
I am where I am and who I am today simply because I was not afraid to put myself out there and go for my goals.
SHEENA JOHNSON
Dealer and activation agent, Digicel
Children: Akeila, 12 and Alex, 16 years
As dealer and activation agent, Sheena Johnson supports over 60 retail stores islandwide, by enabling customer-facing teams to handle almost every transaction presented by consumers and business customers.
This past year, she says she has been on mommy duties every second of the day.
“Working remotely and tutoring both my children was challenging at first, as my job requires a great deal of concentration to avoid errors on customers’ accounts.
“From the night before, I would prep for my kids’ daily meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and then create a simple roster for us to follow. This roster included mommy’s work time, their class time, and their homework time. I’m happy to be working from home, despite the fact that it can sometimes be challenging, because I get a chance to be involved more in my children’s school life and be their biggest cheerleader.”
In fact, she said the family now has more bonding time in the evenings, where they watch TV together and play games – Bingo and Monopoly.
“It does pay off when you are able to balance work and parenting…and I am very proud of my daughter who is on the honour roll at her school, Ascot High. Prior to the pandemic, my son was a D student and now he is an A student. Bwoi mi proud bad!”
Asked what is her motivation for giving her best both at home and at work, her answer was simple — “My children! Just waking up to see them is a joy and that’s why I work super hard to make ends meet.”
And the number one attribute that she wants her children to emulate?
“I want my children to emulate my approach to life. That is, no matter how challenging life gets, always remember to put God first in everything you do and never be afraid to take on new challenges.”