Living with chronic illness while raising kids and pursuing ambitious professional goals is no easy task. This week on the Mama Work It podcast, I’m joined by Julienne Verdi, Executive Director of the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy (AHDA) and The Headache Alliance, who is doing just that—and making history along the way.
Julienne’s path from law school to nonprofit leadership, policy change, and public office is nothing short of inspiring. She’s not only a powerful advocate for migraine awareness and patient rights but also a working mom of four, an LGBTQIA+ trailblazer, and a woman who knows firsthand what it means to juggle career, family, and chronic illness.
In this episode, Julienne and I dive into:
✨ Her journey from law, politics, and nonprofit consulting to national advocacy leadership
✨ How she manages parenting and professional goals while living with migraines—and supporting her son through his own migraine journey
✨ How her work contributed to the U.S. Department of Education recognizing migraine under Section 504, and what this policy shift means for kids and families
✨ Practical advice for moms (and anyone) navigating life and goals with migraines or other chronic health conditions
Whether you’re a parent balancing health challenges, a mom pursuing big dreams, or someone passionate about advocacy and leadership, this conversation will leave you feeling empowered and supported.
🔗 Tune in to hear Julienne’s story, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Mama Work It podcast so you never miss an episode!
To connect with Julienne or learn more about the work she’s doing to support those living with headache disorders:
https://allianceforheadacheadvocacy.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/julienne-verdi/
For more resources on juggling mom life, work life, wife life, fill in the blank life, head on over to www.mamaworkit.com and subscribe!
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