Episode 9: Boardrooms & Baby Bottles: The Dual Life of Liza Maschi, a Courageous Leader

📲 Listen to “Boardrooms & Baby Bottles” on Apple Podcasts →

📲 Listen to “Boardrooms & Baby Bottles” on Spotify →

What does it look like to lead a billion-dollar business unit and still be home for jiu jitsu pick-up? To run high-stakes meetings with senior executives—while quietly pumping in a corporate breakroom? To build an unstoppable career… without losing yourself in the climb?

This week on The JOY CEO Podcast, I sat down with someone who embodies that duality with power and grace: Liza Maschi, Vice President at Kraft Heinz and a force of nature in every sense.

We go way back—back to a moment when she was just starting out and I was fortunate enough to mentor her. Watching her rise from intern to executive at brands like Coca-Cola, Danone, and now Kraft Heinz has been a joy to witness. But what I admire most? It’s not her title. It’s her courageous leadership.

Because Liza doesn’t just perform. She shows up. Fully. Honestly. Human.

Saying Yes Before You’re Ready

One of the most powerful threads in Liza’s story is this: she said yes before she had it all figured out.

From walking away from a safe teaching path into a contractor role at Coca-Cola…

To joining Danone just weeks before discovering she was pregnant…

To jumping into a new VP role at Kraft Heinz while raising two young boys…

Liza’s rise wasn’t about having a linear plan—it was about trusting her gut, showing up fully, and choosing growth over comfort again and again.

“I didn’t always know what I wanted. But I knew I didn’t want to miss the chance to find out.”

Motherhood Changed Her—and Her Leadership

Liza’s story is a powerful reflection of what happens when we stop separating “life” from “leadership.”

When she became a mom, everything shifted. Not her ambition—but her why.

She still closes deals. Still leads big teams. Still thrives in high-performance culture.

But now, she does it while picking her kids up from school, making space for family dinner, and unapologetically prioritizing joy.

“My kids didn’t slow me down. They taught me to want the right things.”

Her story reminds us that duality is not a weakness—it’s a strength. You can be both:

🔥 Fierce in the boardroom
🍼 Present at bedtime
🎯 Focused on the numbers
💗 Connected to your purpose

You don’t have to choose.

But you do have to lead with intention.

Authenticity Is a Leadership Superpower

For years, Liza admits she toned down her “New York intensity”—until she realized that it’s part of what makes her great.

Now? She owns it. And she empowers her team to do the same.

She leads with honesty. She speaks directly. She celebrates humanity in leadership—and models it every day.

Whether she’s bringing her kids to a national industry conference (yes, really), or advocating for maternity leave options others may be afraid to ask for, Liza doesn’t just preach work-life integration—she lives it.

“I’m a mom and a VP. I’m ambitious and joyful. I lead with metrics and I lead with heart.”

What This Episode Reminds Us:

➡️ You don’t need to shrink your personal life to succeed professionally.
➡️ You don’t need to perform someone else’s version of leadership.
➡️ You don’t need to wait until it’s perfect to say yes.

Liza’s story is proof:

❤️ You can rise and rest.
❤️ You can grow and ground.
❤️ You can lead with strategy and soul.

Ready to Listen?

Tune into Episode 9 of The JOY CEO Podcast to hear Liza’s full story—including her honest reflections on risk, motherhood, career pivots, and what it means to lead without apology.

📲 Listen to “Boardrooms & Baby Bottles” on Apple Podcasts →

📲 Listen to “Boardrooms & Baby Bottles” on Spotify →

✍️ Reflection Questions:

• What risk would you take if you trusted yourself more?

• Are you prioritizing joy—or just performance?

• What version of leadership would your younger self be proud of?

If you’re ready to lead like Liza—with courage, clarity, and JOY—book a strategy call and let’s map what that looks like for you.

Because yes, you can do it all.

But you don’t have to do it alone.

—Lori
The JOY CEO