MBA Experience for Mothers at Booth: 2026 Edition

We recently connected with mothers at Booth to share what it’s like pursuing an MBA alongside having a family and other responsibilities outside of business school. Read on as they provide their first-hand perspectives on pursuing an MBA at Chicago Booth and offer advice to mothers also considering an MBA.

About our Boothies...

Madison Davis

Madison is a Full-Time MBA student and co-chair of the Parents of Little Ones (POLO) Club at Chicago Booth. She is the mother of two little ones who always keep her life busy, fun, and full of surprises! Madison is also an Army helicopter pilot and throughout her military career she spent most of her time serving leading teams in high-pressure and fast-moving environments. Madison decided to pursue her MBA at Chicago Booth because of the pay-it-forward culture and the genuine support she felt from students and alumni. Madison also loved the customization of the curriculum and the ability to shape her MBA experience around her own interests and goals. As a parent, the flexibility offered at Booth and sense of community have made such a difference to Madison in helping Booth feel like a place where both her and her family could thrive.

Naama Elazar

Naama is also a Full-Time MBA student and co-chair of the Parents of Little Ones Club at Chicago Booth. She grew up in Tel Aviv and studied law and political science at Tel Aviv University, where she also worked as a lawyer for the Department of Justice within the Attorney General’s Office. After two years there, she moved to Chicago and started working as Chief of Staff at the Israeli Consulate in Chicago because she wanted to stay in the government world.

Working there, Naama got to interact with many Chicago companies across the Midwest, and her interest in wanting to shift her work from government to the business world, especially within the climate and sustainability space, really grew.

Naama was drawn to Chicago Booth for its pay-it-forward culture, along with the people she spoke to throughout the process. Naama also knew she wanted to stay in the social impact world; having the opportunity to take advantage of the resources offered within the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation and the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has been amazing for Naama.

Insights on MBA Experience as Mothers at Booth...

In one word or phrase, how would you describe your MBA experience at Chicago Booth thus far? Share with us your fondest Booth memory!

Naama: I’d describe my MBA journey as one of the most rewarding and intellectually challenging experiences. In a class I took last quarter, Designing a Good Life, we had to write a gratitude letter to someone. First it was so fun thinking about our shared experiences, but it also made me think about the people I’m grateful for and the friendships I’ve made at Booth!

Madison Davis smiling with her daughter outside with glimpse of Chicago skyline in background

Madison: I would say that my MBA experience at Chicago Booth has been transformative beyond the classroom. While academically rigorous, I have had many experiences outside of the classroom that have pushed me to learn new things and think in new ways. My favorite Booth memories have honestly been the smaller, more personal moments spent with other MBA moms. Getting to connect with women from very different backgrounds and life experiences while all navigating motherhood alongside business school has been incredibly meaningful and inspiring. Those conversations have brought so much perspective, encouragement, and sense of community to my MBA experience.

What’s it like being a parent balancing an MBA with your responsibilities outside of Booth?

Madison Davis with her husband and two kids smiling with fall trees in background

Madison: I have loved my MBA experience as a parent. While the MBA has been busy and challenging at times, the flexibility has given me opportunities to be more present with my kids, and make fun memories during this season. Sometimes I have to finish my coursework after bedtime but I’ve also been able to take my daughter to school, pick her up, and bring her to activities throughout the week in a way that hasn’t always been possible in my previous roles. My husband has also been incredibly supportive every step of the way through all of the chaos that comes with balancing school and parenting.

Naama Elazar and family outside in snow smiling

Naama: Balancing parenthood with an MBA has definitely been a very unique experience. It has made me more intentional about how I spend my time balancing my social life with my academics. I’ve learned to embrace the changes that come as there isn’t one formula to navigating the MBA journey. But you need a good support system and to find a community that gets you, where you can be a student and a parent. What I value most is being able to spend meaningful time with my daughter during the day and then shifting to schoolwork and assignments in the evenings and at night. It’s challenging at times, but it has also made me much more focused and appreciative of the time I have both at Booth and at home.

In what ways has your involvement in the POLO student group added value to your MBA experience?

Naama: Parents of Little Ones (POLO) has added so much value to my MBA experience. It’s been really great to get to know other parents at Booth and realize that I’m not alone in this journey. Being around people who are experiencing similar things and understand the challenges of balancing school and family life has been incredibly meaningful.

Through POLO, I’ve met some of my closest friends at Booth, and it has given me a real sense of community and support. I’m also excited to be a POLO co-chair so that I can help continue to foster community through events and opportunities for parents and families to connect.

Madison Davis with her husband and daughter in selfie

Madison: POLO helped me immediately build a sense of community at Booth. Starting with the Chicago POLO “Random Walk,” I was able to explore the city with other families right away, which made Booth feel welcoming from the beginning. POLO continues to provide opportunities to connect with other families and parents who are navigating family life with the MBA experience.

What advice would you give to mothers who are also considering pursuing their MBA?

Naama: Don’t be afraid to do it! My biggest advice would be to ask for help from your friends, family, and loved ones, people are often more willing to support you than you think.

I also think being a parent brings a very valuable and different perspective into the classroom. It changes how you think about leadership, strategy, and teamwork, and those experiences really add to discussions and to the MBA experience overall.

Madison Davis with her daughter and newborn son at the hospital

Madison: It will probably never feel like the perfect time to make the leap. Life with kids is always busy and there will be reasons to wait or put it off, but you’re still allowed to invest in yourself and pursue your goals. Being a mom in business school definitely comes with challenges and overwhelming moments, but has also been incredibly rewarding. My kids get to watch me work towards a meaningful goal, and that is really special and important to me.

Madison with her daughter and husband on hockey ice

Fun Facts about Madison

Madison had her son during her first quarter at Booth! While challenging, the flexibility at Booth allowed her to be successful doing both.
Madison has 750 hours flying a Blackhawk helicopter. She’s flown all over the United States and in Afghanistan.
Madison’s husband played hockey his entire life and joined the Booth hockey team this year. Booth being so welcoming to partners has made their MBA experience as a family very positive.

Naama Elazar with her husband and daughter with the green Chicago river in background

Fun Facts about Naama

Naama loves exploring different neighborhoods in Chicago and finding new coffee shops and restaurants. One of her favorite neighborhoods is Andersonville, she loves the vibe and cute shops.
Naama loves going to Movies in the Park during the summertime. She appreciates the breadth of outdoor activities Chicago offers during the summer.

More Sentiments from Mothers at Chicago Booth…

“If you have a family, bring them on board with your journey. One of the most valuable lessons I learned from Professor Linda Ginzel was to carry your family with you through the experience. I truly enjoyed integrating my family into the Booth journey by bringing my children to Family Day, showing them my classroom, and helping them understand the time I spend away. That shared experience made the commitment more meaningful for all of us.” — Dr. Tharwat El Zahran, London Based Executive MBA Student

Linnea Madsen

“It will be hard in different ways depending on your life and support system. However, try to keep in mind that you’re doing this for your future self as well as your children. The opportunity to expand your own horizons by learning helps you grow as a person, as well as opening up career development opportunities. I also think it’s easy to feel guilty about leaving your children to study, but it’s actually setting a great example for them about setting your mind to something and accomplishing goals.” — Linnea Madsen, Part-Time MBA Student

“Booth is truly expanding my world… More broadly, Booth is helping me imagine a bigger life for myself. I spent so many years as somebody’s mom, and I didn’t realize how much that shaped my identity. Booth is helping me understand I can create, lead, and dream in new ways.” — Alfreda Holloway, Chicago Based Executive MBA Student

“If you are contemplating both starting a family and pursuing an Executive MBA, my advice is to boldly go for it. This program has a global cohort, and you will meet a very connected, collaborative group of people across campuses. Being a working parent with a young child can be difficult, and adding an MBA to that will test your limits both physically and mentally. But with support and determination, it is doable. Start by separating fear from facts; most of the things you worry about might not even happen. Focus on your priorities and nonnegotiables, then build and execute a plan around them. Ensure you have the necessary support and be ready to adapt to unexpected situations, especially since having a baby often means things don’t always go according to plan.” — Stephanie Hwu, MBA ‘24

family portrait of Manu Chintapalli with her husband and child

“If you’re considering an MBA as a mother, my biggest advice is: believe in your Why. There will be sacrifices, and some moments will feel overwhelming, but staying rooted in your purpose will carry you through. Build your village early, whether it’s family, friends, or fellow parents, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. Also, give yourself grace: you don’t need to excel in everything at once. There’s strength in showing your kids what it looks like to chase dreams, even if the path is messy.” — Manu Chintapalli, Second-Year Full-Time MBA Student

We hope that gaining these firsthand insights into balancing business school with family and work responsibilities has provided clarity on the feasibility of pursuing a world-class MBA while embarking on motherhood. Between our customizable curriculum and supportive community, Booth is truly a place where you and your family can thrive. As you explore what your MBA journey can look like at Booth, we invite you to connect with us for more stories from our community, application advice, upcoming event invites, and more.

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