Project Manager and mother of two: Ursula's story in Italy

In this interview, Ursula Flierl, Project Manager at Mashfrog Group and mother of two, shares how she managed to balance her career with motherhood and the support she received from the company to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Through challenges, changes, and successes, Ursula reflects on the importance of a work environment that values both people and family well-being, while looking towards the future with clear personal and professional goals.

Tell us about your career path at Mashfrog.

I joined Mashfrog in 2012, right after earning a degree in Foreign Languages and Literature. I started as an intern and was then offered a permanent contract as a Web Marketing Specialist. After my first maternity leave, I was given the opportunity to grow professionally and became a Project Manager, a role I've held for about five years. Today, I work in the Customer Digital Solutions BU, primarily managing mobile projects: I coordinate project teams, liaise with clients, and oversee the progress of various activities.

How long have you been in Italy, and why did you decide to stay?

I arrived in the summer of 2006, right after Italy's victory at the World Cup in Germany... it took some courage! I had decided to take a gap year after finishing high school and came to Italy as an au pair to improve my language skills, but I ended up staying permanently. In fact, about two months after I arrived, I met Fabrizio, who would later become my husband and the father of my children. This encounter inevitably changed the course of my personal and professional life. I officially settled in Italy in 2009 and have never left. We got married in 2017, and then Leonardo was born in 2018, followed by Filippo in 2023.

How were your two returns from maternity leave? Did you notice any differences?

The two returns from maternity leave were very different. After my first maternity leave in 2019, I was quite anxious because there was no remote working yet, and I wasn’t sure how I would handle unexpected situations. Additionally, the responsibilities of my new role as Project Manager seemed overwhelming. However, I was also excited to get back to work because I needed to rediscover my professional identity and interact with people who saw me as a professional, not just as a mother. My return from the second maternity leave was much smoother because I had already been through it, but also because the company had introduced several initiatives to support parenthood in the meantime, such as remote working, childcare bonuses, and maternity and paternity bonuses, which made my return easier. In both cases, I received a warm welcome from colleagues and supervisors, who allowed me to return gradually without being overwhelmed with tasks right away.

Overall, how do you assess the balance between your private and professional life?

I believe I have achieved a good balance, thanks also to the part-time arrangement I requested after my first child was born. This has allowed me to better manage family commitments, especially since my parents live abroad and I don’t have direct support. Being able to rely on reduced hours and remote working is essential for my family’s organization.

Finally, what are your goals for the future, both professionally and personally?

From a professional perspective, I hope the company continues to maintain its family-friendly approach, because I believe women have the right to become mothers while also working in a professional environment that guarantees a good work-life balance. In this regard, I consider myself very fortunate. Personally, I simply wish to be present for my children and watch them grow up happy.