Integrity, Collaboration, Adaptability, Empathy.

These are the values you’d expect to see in a company handbook, not on a Mother’s Day card. And yet, these are the very values that mothers teach their children every day, laying the foundation for the kind of people we become, both personally and professionally.

In my case, my mother Linaida (Lina) Garcia has exemplified what it means to be both caring and hard-working. Born in 1943 in Panama — a country where, at the time, girls’ education was not prioritized — she began working at a young age as the second oldest of 14 children.

By age 24, she married my dad and became a homemaker, but everything changed in 1981 when our family moved to New York City. Now needing two incomes, she worked while raising three children (like many working mothers today). Long before “soccer moms” became a thing, she was our “tennis mom.” My siblings and I played the sport when we were young, and during the winter months, we wanted to keep training. The NYC Parks Department offered free indoor court time at Flushing Meadow Park (where the U.S. Open is held), but the catch was it was from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. So three times per week, my mom woke up at 5 a.m. to make us breakfast and get us there on time.

Years later, I had the rare privilege of working alongside her one summer during my junior year at UCONN. She did physically demanding housekeeping work at a major hotel. During those three months, she quietly showed me the value of punctuality, taking pride in your work, and treating people with kindness.

Though she lacked formal education, her grandchildren, who bring her great joy, have graduated from New England Conservatory, Cornell University, University of Florida, University of South Florida, and soon, the University of Central Florida.

My Mother-in-Law

I also have a special place in my heart for my late mother-in-law, Marcia Morales. Born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, she was the second oldest of seven children. In the mid-1950s, around age 18, she moved to San Juan and landed a job at a clothing factory making bras and underwear, earning just $10 per week (for context, her daily bus fare was 5 cents).

Marcia went to school at night, got her degree, and eventually became a claims representative at AIG Property Insurance, where she worked for nearly 30 years. She built lasting friendships there, many of whom celebrated her 80th birthday with her many years after her retirement.

As a single mother, she worked long hours to support her daughter (now my wife). Her days started at 5 a.m. and ended late at night, helping with homework. She was a trailblazer for her time. When single women weren’t allowed to buy property alone, she purchased a home with her sister and brother-in-law. Later, they deeded the house solely to her. That home became a landing pad for her younger siblings and relatives moving to the big city. It was a place of stability, opportunity, and love.

Marcia was generous, strong, and deeply kind. We miss her very much.

A True MVP: Mother’s Value Proposition

If your mom played a significant role in your career journey, you’re in good company. Here are just a few well-known business leaders who say the same:

Jeff Bezos (Founder of Amazon)

“My mom had me when she was 17 years old, and she did a lot of things to help me, including getting me enrolled in a Montessori school, which made a huge difference.”

Howard Schultz (Former CEO of Starbucks)

“My mother always said, ‘You are going to be the first person in the family to go to college.’”

Daymond John (Founder of FUBU, Investor on Shark Tank)

“My mom taught me how to sew and how to be responsible with money… She’s the first and best investor I ever had.”

Richard Branson (Founder of Virgin Group)

“She taught me to stand on my own two feet… She believed in me more than I believed in myself.”

This Mother’s Day, we honor the often-unspoken influence of moms. From early morning sacrifices to quiet lessons in hard work and resilience, this tribute recognizes the lasting impact that mothers have had on our personal and professional journeys.

Happy Mother’s Day!